Christianity Oasis Forum

[Pert]

I've been told before that I'm a worrier. And that may very well be true. I watch people walk around like they don't have a care in the world, when really, that care-free world they're living in may very well be falling down around them.

For some reason, I can't do that.

Every day, I take my burdens to the Lord, but for some reason I can't leave them there. I know it's a sin, and I ask for forgiveness, but I also ask the Lord to teach me how to leave them there and stop worrying.

I know that the Lord cares for me. I'd be a fool not to believe that. The problem is that if I have something that I'm dealing with in my life, people tell me "Don't worry about it. God will work it out." I know he will, but I don't think God would have me to abandon all my problems and act as if they didn't exist. I could easily quit my job and say "God will work something out" but in reality I don't think He means for me to sit idly by and just wait for something to "magically" appear. I don't think that waiting on the Lord means to sit and twiddle my thumbs while God solves all my problems like He's putting together the pieces of a puzzle.

How can I strike a balance between reliquishing control to God and actively working toward improving my situations?

[Mackenaw]

Hello Pert

God bless you this day.

I realize that your situation seems different than most, but, I think you would be surprised to know the opposite is true. We live in a time that is spoken about in The Bible, near the end of time, and it is not a rosy picture. Families are not what they should be, hearts are cold, and most of us just want to get out on our own and leave those behind that are dragging us down.

I know your home life is not ideal, but, God is still there and willing to guide you through it all. I, personally, admire the fact that you are helping out your parents, financially. Yes, the seemingly easier way to handle it would be to say "but he could be working, but has chosen not to" so I'm out of here -- leaving your mom to figure it out on her own. But, is that what God wants?

I don't know what God's plan is for you, but He does, and He will give you the answers. He truly will. Believe that!!!

Read Matthew 6:24-34. It speaks about many things, much more than just what we will eat or the close we will where.

I know worry is a habit, but there is a pestering spirit behind it, too. You said you give it over to God but then pick it back up again. Yes, we all have had the experience. But, if we retrain our minds, and replace old habits with our faith in God and His Word, the habits will diminish and worry will tire -- that pestering spirit will eventually tire and leave.

I really encourage you to do the CCCC Study, or even re-do it, if you already have. God has all the answers for you, and He truly desires you know His plan and will for you. He is not hiding from you -- He loves you.

Oh, and by the way, repentance and asking for forgiveness is a privilege, a blessing and an honor. Allow God to change your perspective about repenting, and enjoy His gift.

I'm sending up prayers to our Lord in the name of Jesus, on your behalf. May God's blessed and perfect will be done.

God bless and keep you, Pert.
In Christ Jesus' love,
Sister Mack

[Ruthk34]

While we are to give our worries to God we do need to do our part as well. Sometimes he will just give you the inspiration you need and then it's up to you to follow through. Other times its all Him.

That reminds me of a little joke.

A man prays to God saying please God let me win the lottery I realy need the money. Day after day he prays this same prayer until one day he hears God say "I'd like to help you out but first could you do me a favor and buy a ticket"
(man)

I was told that joke by a man who was 98 yrs old. I loved how he told it it cracked me up

God bless
Praying for you.

[Netchaplain]

God's blessings to you Pert! Unless a Christian is willfully allowing (Heb 10:26) something wrong (sin) to continue in their life, God has complete control, regardless of our condition. His control always involves "working everything out for our good" (Rom 8:28) and it's not contingent on what we think or do but according to what He has already planned to do concerning everything in our life.

We need not to think that our Father's blessings can be hindered by our performance but He teaches us in what we think and do. This means we do not have to know what to do for Him to work, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).

We know it's not that we aren't trying to do something about our undesirable situations because if we knew what we should do, we would do it. God allows us to be void of solutions to cause us to leave it in His trust, to "increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). This way it's, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zec 4:6).

We can "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1) by knowing, "that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom 8:28). We can put our trust in only one of two entities; our-self or God. Do we want everything to eventuate the way we desire or His way? It has been well said that "if we are disappointed, we have trusted in the arm of man and not the arm of God, because God never disappoints."

[Pert]

Thank you all for your insight. I really enjoy these forums on this website because they allow me to see the same situations from many different perspectives, yet it shows how everything works for the good of the Lord.

Anyway, one thing is still bothering me. I've seen in my life people who sit and do nothing and say "I'm waiting on the Lord" or "God is gonna work it out" or something else of that nature. In the meantime, they continue to struggle, their situations further deteriorate, or they just continue to live in the same misery for years and years, all because they sit and do nothing. I don't think God works like this. Granted, I am just a nobody, I have absolutely zero formal training in the Scriptures or theology, but I just really don't think this is how God works! I don't think that "waiting on the Lord" means to literally sit and wait for things to happen instead of actually working towards something or trying to accomplish a goal. I used this example with a close relative of mine: if you're hungry, you can't lay in the bed and wait on the Lord to fix you a meal. He's blessed you with the food in the kitchen, but it's up to you to cook it! I understand that God is not that simple, but do you see where I'm going with this?

[lyl1114]

Hi Pert!!

Weird how I came across this forum today...of course, reading your situation made me think of myself...because I too am still in that situation. I know that I have told my parents to go get jobs and start even at 60 to be self sufficient. I think they have really wasted their lives doing nothing. Yes, they love the Lord, but somehow it seems all twisted...
For over 20 years, my dad has said, God will take care of it...while we would be kicked out from place to place. That does some good damage to us children. Now at 33, my parents are still the same!! So, leaving it up to God, I still struggle with this. So this means to just keep on living the way we do as if this problem doesn't and wait on the Lord's divine intervention, as we live with no happiness or peace?? I feel you. My prayer to God is only He can change them because my sister and I are toooo exhausted...
It really is hard to find that balance...I am still searching. Not doing anything will put my parents on the streets and doing something is feeding their distorted view of life. I understand that it is hard to go out and work, but it is like that for everyone...well most of us. Wow, Pert, I know I didn't clear up any confusions but just want to say, I really feel you and I pray for you and your situation as well! And so glad for this loving community...without it I would still be stuck in a very unhappy place. Praise God for He still hears our prayers and I guess we can only trust Him to work things out in His own time. And when God does start a change in them, we will be open to do what God wants us to do. His will be done...must take comfort in that...

[lyl1114]

as I was thinking about this, I wanted to let you know that my dad is actually homeless now for about a year now and is with his sister some of the days. My mother is with my unmarried sister who has reached out to me for help. My husband and I have stopped with the financial help due to our own financial hardships. I guess this is a change...slow change but change. I don't know however, if their minds are changed about going out to get a job and becoming self sufficient...My parents are both believers and believe that God is working in them as well. I felt that I needed to share this with you. I think my sister and I did what we were suppose to do and now they have to make a decision. And I do take comfort (some moments better than others) in that God will either way, take care of them...because His will is perfect. Jesus is our hope and I pray that you will be able to hand over some of your burdens over to Jesus... and each day will be closer to peace...as this too is my prayer for myself. God bless you, Pert!!

[Christnundrconstruxn]

Hi Pert
while I do not know for sure but my take on this is that the meaning of the verse is misunderstood
This is my favorite verse of the Bible
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not faint.

I think the meaning is misunderstood, I think it means for those who wait as in (waiter) in a restaraunt - to serve - follow
Again this is only my thoughts of this and I could be seeing it as I want and not how it is meant
But if you think about what it is that is expected of us, we are to serve only God and do as He commands and follow His path he sets for us...if we do He will bless us with all we (need strength and power to rise above satan and his ways)

Just my thoughts
God bless
Cuc

[Pert]

CUC, thanks for your insight. I have read that verse over and over and over (I even read over it just yesterday!) but you gave me a whole different perspective. I had never considered "wait" to be in the sense of a "waiter" but that's a really cool point you pointed out there. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks!!

[Pert]

Wow, Pert, I know I didn't clear up any confusions but just want to say, I really feel you and I pray for you and your situation as well!

LOL no worries! It's just nice to see someone reach out, and it makes me feel better that I'm not the only one struggling with these issues! I pray for God's guidance and I'll pray for your family's situation as well. Thanks for sharing with me, and thank you so much for your prayers. I need them more than you could know! It's also nice FOR ONCE to have someone actually understand where I'm coming from instead of looking at me like I have two heads whenever I say something.