Christianity Oasis Forum

[Sandyg09]

Hi everyone. I am so glad I found this site. I just need to chat with someone.
Anyone out there every felt like their life is one big circle? Just when you think things are going to change and you are going forward, something happens and you go twenty steps backward.
I stopped hoping that thing would change for me. I feel like giving up on my dreams.
I" call those things that are not as if they were" and nothing happened. "I named it and claimed it "and nothing happened. I paid tithes and gave special offerings and no change.
I am getting tired of telling my children that things will change, and things remain the same. Does anyone have any idea what I am talking about? Has anyone gone through what I am going through or went through it and came out?
Please tell me how you did it.

[kimby]

So glad that you are here! I pray that you will find much encouragement!

I would imagine my circumstances are different to yours, but I do know the feeling of going in circles. Thinking the end is in sight only to discover that you have looped right back around to where you were before. I have to say though, one thing I have noticed....even when I do circle back around to exactly where I was before...I am not who I was when I was there before. I have changed. The circumstances may not have, but I am different. I have new knowledge and new understanding as I set out again. Those things that look like circles to us, God calls us a process. Sometimes part of the process is making us into who He needs and wants us to be. The circles can be hard and so often we try and take a shortcut, but He is saying just walk with Me...stay in step with Me. I can't tell you that I don't still circle...that I don't still find myself dealing with things that I have already addressed...but I am discovering that it all seems different when I allow Him to walk with me and give His input.

[ciny]

Hi Sandy iam glad you found this site to welcome to Oasis nice to meet you i know the feeling of going around in circles and ending back where i started from. That's a start for you that you see that and are willing to work on it. This is a good site to work on stuff and the counceling steps are a great healing tool in our healing journey.
It's a journey where you are not alone. Lots of people who care and love you. A family. Best wishes on your healing journey. again it is nice to meet you,

[Sandyg09]

Hi Kimby,

thank you so much for your reply, it really means a lot to me. I appreciate your words of encouragement. God bless you.

Love, Sandra

[Sandyg09]

Ciny thank you. I 'm feeling better already. I know that I will be stronger because of this site. Glad to meet you too.

Love Sandra.

[Dora]

As a child I prayed my dad would die so he'd stop beating me and mom. After a few years I told my mom then she convicted me that it was wrong so I began to pray he would stop drinking. We all prayed. When I lost hope I began to pray he would go away. He did. Things got worse not better. Many years later someone heard the need for my dad to stop drinking and began praying. I scoffed at him for even putting in the effort as it was hopeless after all we prayed for many years. The next week dad stopped drinking. It came by a terrible accident but God used it to get his attention.

Time. It sometimes takes time. Other prayers that seemed impossible were answered swiftly. I was on the edge of suicide, making plans how to commit with out hurting my family. When I gave God one chance at fixing my life and He did. With in two weeks I was living 800 miles away from the dangers. He brought me to a place that was not only safe, and not only took care of my physical needs such as food and clothing but also fed me spiritually. A place I could learn about God and have the seeds fertilized and watered instead of being snatched away by abusive people. God saved my soul through this just as He does many others. Now by no means is life easy, but as you shared in your profile despite the pain we can have peace.....because we Have Him. And He comforts us.

Why does God seem to take His good ole sweet time in one situation and work swiftly in the next? I have found it's because someone is choosing to go against His will, someone needs a difficult situation to bring them closer to Him, He is building our faith, or He is busy working behind the scenes getting things in alignment. Just like my struggle as a child it took time to build my way out. And it made me who I am today despite the difficulty of it all. If we never struggle we never know what it feels like to receive freedom. Birds seem to love to fly but not as much as the bird that is released after being held captive for a time.

Consider Joseph. Living a wonderful childhood till he was snatched away and given as a slave by his very own family, his brothers. He went from an easy life to being treated like garbage and probably mistreated terribly. I can not imagine what he must of went through. Not only the physical pain but the heart ache. Yet Joseph kept his eye on God. And God used this situation to not only save Joseph but to save his entire family and restore it.

Sometimes our struggles will one day save a life. I would of never imagined God using my testimony to save a life. And why not? If I were Him and the enemy caused pain and hardship to my child I would be thrilled to use what the enemy did to harvest souls for that heavenly kingdom. Which we will soon be residing in.

There's hope dear sister. These things will pass. He promises. This struggle hasn't came to stay. We can praise God for that.

Last night in a chat program called Finding Hope we talked some about praising even when we see no hope. I'd like to share a small portion of the study with you.....

Remember the story of Jehoshaphat, he was the king of Jerusalem and the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir were mounting an attack against him and his people. And the king fasted and prayed and called for all Judah to do the same. We can learn from this how to handle our spiritual attacks.

And as they waited upon God to answer, the Lord spoke through Jahaziel and said "...'Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.'" II Chronicles 20:15.

And instead of Going to war with swords and spears leading the way, they had the worship team up front, leading them into battle. And they sung out "...'Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.'" II Chronicles 20:21.

And as they began to praise the Lord, singing of the beauty of His holiness, the enemy began fighting each other till they all laid dead on the ground. And when Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah came to pick up the spoils of victory, there was so much it took them 3 days to haul it all home!

When you have a great multitude in front of you get your praise out front!

If you would like to read the rest of the notes of the study I can send them to you.

I pray you are encouraged by my words. God bless and keep you dear one.

You sound like a terrific woman. I would love to hear your story. What life is like for you and about your relationship with God.

[Dora]

I was thinking about your kids. I know it's difficult to take them through our struggles as well. How old are they?

Sometimes kids can have more faith than we can. It just seems easier for them to believe.

praying for you sis.

[Sandyg09]

Hi Pine,
I really enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing it. One day I will share mine. I used to be reluctant to tell my story because I thought everything had to be made right first.. I can see now that I was wrong. Sometimes God heals as you go and as you grow.
You wanted to know about my kids. I have three wonderful children. One boy, he is 17 and twin girls. They are 12.
They have been great through this trying financial time. My son always has an encouraging word for me. I think that makes it harder for me . Seeing that they are not complaining ,it makes me want to give them things they did not ask for. They deserve so much more.
Do you know that as I typed that last line it made me think about our Heavenly Father. When we praise Him and not complain He will give us blessings we did not ask for. wow.
Being able to share and not be judged is so great. It a great release for me. Thank you.

[Dora]

Amen!!! There is hope!!!

Give your kids a great big hug for me.

It's amazing how God works isn't it.

[Sandyg09]

Hi Pine,
Could you send me the rest of the study you were sharing with me? Thank you.