Why does it seem that godly christians who serve God suffer alot?

Question

It seems that the wicked prosper see Psalm 73 and the good people tend to be oppressed and those who follow the Lord get intense persectution 11 timothy 3:12? What are ways to accept this admit this overcome this and choose to rejoice anyway?

Answer 1

"The rain falls on the just and unjust alike."

In my life, I have seen self-obsessed people suffer the negative results of their choices, yet I also often see them experience the "good and plenty" of life while in pursuit of their goals.

I have seen other-focused (i.e., godly) people both suffer some very nasty hardships and unfairness in their lives, yet I have also seen them shining like bright lights in the midst of the darkness, cracked or stained mirrors that still reflect the beautiful glory of God.

It is easy to get down on life or feel resentful when you see people taking the "broad way" getting what they desire, while you are trying so hard to do what is right and not getting what you hoped for or even what you think you deserve.

(A real Job moment there...)

I think the popular church's focus on blessings has also put us in a dangerous spot. Popular Christianity markets God by saying that, if you come to Him, at some point in your life (maybe tomorrow, maybe ten years, but DEFINITELY sometime!) you will be healed, you will be successful, you will feel whole and complete, you will feel blessed.

This isn't true.

Blessings come and go, but there are many devout mature believers who still feel an emptiness in themselves, who don't quite feel whole, who hunger deeply for things they might never have, who still struggle with doing things they do not want to do even though they know those things are foolish and pointless.

[I know some will disagree with me, and that's fine. I speak simply from logic, from examples in the Bible, and from my spiritual journey, and from the spiritual journey of mentors farther on down the road than I am. I think premature feelings of 'wholeness' prevents us from seeking God wholeheartedly.]

At a recent conference with Larry Crabb (author, deals with Spiritual formation now), I picked up a few helpful concepts.

1. Accept where I am personally at. This means accepting my flaws, failures, struggles, disillusionments, unmet desires, grime, and so forth. I am not supposed to be “complacent” with these things, but the reality is that I am a flawed, sometimes self-obsessed person who sometimes wants to “feel alive and whole” so badly that I am willing to use other things in the place of God. I’m not talking self-condemnation, but a healthy embracing of my sin and weakness, simply from being human.

2. Envision God and his glory. This means seeing what God is, how he loves, the wonder of his creation, his desire for reconciliation, the perfect heavenly community Christians call “the Trinity.” (Nutshell: The Trinity is the perfect community – three persons so dedicated to and loving each other that they are literally “one.” This model of love is beautiful, glorious, and something that God invites every human being to.)

3. See people as God sees them – weak and fallible humans who still each bear the image of God (though tarnished), and people He has invited to join the “party of the Trinity.” He wants us all to join the community and in fact created us to do so. When I look at people, I see them as they are, and yet as they could be if they reflected God perfectly (at least, as best as I can imagine). All different, all distinct, yet all still able to be part of the community.

4. Accept that God’s purpose is not to make you feel good in a temporary way but to leave you with a desire for him and to shape you to more reflect his glory. (I do this somewhat as a parent with my own kids: I don’t necessarily try to make them “feel good” all the time, but I do what I think will sculpt them to be healthiest and thus “whole” in the long run, when all is said and done.) Sometimes then you will experience good stuff, and sometimes you will go through crap; but throughout it all, God does not change and his glory still exists and can shine in people’s lives.

This is not easy. I have agonizing stories of my own, and I have friends with terrible, painful stories where God did not work in the ways we had hoped.

What’s remarkable is seeing the grace that developed in people despite the pain and setbacks. It really does take a real, committed, vibrant hope to believe that in the face of current darkness there will one day come the promised light… and it’s that hope that inspires others to search out God as well. You see God’s glory shine the most in the dark.

I encourage you to focus on forging an even deeper bond with your husband or with a trusted friend, so that you can encourage each other and give a “vision of God’s glory” to be revealed in the other person for when the hope seems distant.

Answer 2

I know a lot of the bible, but can never remember exact verses, so do your best to find what I tell you. We are to take up our cross everyday and follow Jesus. When Jesus was here he constantly was oppressed and so are we. Our treasures our in heaven not here on earth. Satan will do anything to destroy our relationship with the Lord because he knows that it is so easy for us humans to sin. We must give thanks in every situation. Give all glory to the God in heaven because His ways are always perfect. Stay in church and with fellow christians and never let satan win, not matter what. I have had so much bad in my life that all I can really do is rejoice. I was born to a dysfunctional family, lots of alcoholics and drug users in my family, parent divorced at the age of 12 and I never saw much of my dad, my mom was in and out of mental hospitals when I was a teen, I'm in a bad marriage, two years ago I lost the only person who mattered to me(my only brother), I've lost two jobs and have been without one for a year, I can't have kids, and I have the worst luck known possible. Praise God because one day it will all be worth it.

Answer 3

Be content in serving God, and trust that whatever suffering you may be going through, He will get you through. God is always with us through our suffering, and afterwards as well. My favorite poem can explain it better than I can:

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was
walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the
sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he
noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one
belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When
the last scene of his life flashed before him, he
looked back at the footprints in the sand. He
noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed
that it happened at the very lowest and saddest
times in his life. This really bothered him and he
questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that
once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all
the way. But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life, there is only one set
of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed
you most you would leave me." The Lord replied,
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would
never leave you. During your times of trial and
suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it
was then that I Carried You."

Answer 4

I can answer this quite simply, Satan stands before God and accuses those who love God day after day. God never one time oppressed Job but Satan had his heyday with Job. This is a book written in the Old Testament to show us who our tempter is. Paul wrote it is not against flesh and blood that we fight but principalities and powers of the air. Just keep on praising the Lord and you will overcome. Never give Satan room that he has finally defeated us. That is why Paul said fight the good fight. Not against others but against that which would seem to be overwhelming at times.

Answer 5

I Have Overcome The World

I've been troubled and hurt
I've been smitten with sorrow
Sometimes it seems there is no hope
Why should I face tomorrow?
Trials and tribulation
Are all I have to show
But I'm following the Master
For He said it would be so
I'm following the Master
He Who said, "Be of good cheer.
You see, it doesn't matter
The trials that you face here
You'll have pain and you'll have sorrow
But don't worry", said my Lord
"In time, you'll see, My precious child,
I have overcome the world."

Answer 6

We have to accept this and overcome it. What good is it doing to us if we think it is not fair. We know they will all be judged in the end.
Matthew 5: 1-16 and 1 Peter 4:12-19 - "...trust yourself to the God who made you."

Answer 7

It's just that...The energies of "Godly Christians" are misdirected. If you were to refocus those energies on issues of concern in the SECULAR realm like poverty, hunger, crime, etc. you'd be doing service to HUMANITY instead of some unseen, unproven, unknown entity aka GOD. Pick up a pen and paper and write your representative about issues of concern in the world today...Volunteer to help others that are more needy than you or I..Dpnate $$$ to SECULAR causes that are important--healthcare, various disease organizations, etc...DO SOMETHING PROACTIVE...TAKE ACTION...DON'T PUT STOCK INTO GOD when the prayer is clearly going unanswered. PEACE!

Answer 8

we as true Christians are well prepared and know of the persecution and suffering we are enduring and even more we will be enduring.

'If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.  Bear in mind the word I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also' john 15:18-20

being 'no part of the world.' and considered diff rent for our bible based stand, the world hates us for being so different. however, God will protect and look after his people. so we are unafraid, knowing he will help us endure what ever we have to.

'If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake day after day and follow me continually' -luke 9:23

Answer 9

This is the wicked world we live in. God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Anyway He did not say we would have a smooth ride, just a safe landing.

Answer 10

A lot of the problem stems from dissociation and lack of personal responsibility. If you don't assume there's a Divine safety net, you're more careful, and therefore more intelligent, in your activities. Smarter choices tend to make for success, and so the nonreligious prosper.

Answer 11

It raineth on the just and the unjust, but the unjust steal the umbrellas.

Just remember if you persevere, keep rising to the challenges, you'll be a better person, if not here, then you've done all you can for God.