New Christian Question??

Question

Before I accepted Jesus into my heart. I had bad things happen to me. But it seems that since I have accepted Jesus. The hardships are about a million times more than they were before. Every day I wake up, and some new problem has come about. I am almost at the end of my rope. I pray at night and turn everything over to the Lord, but when I wake up in the morning, all the stress is back, plus more problems are added to my life. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Note: I am not asking if God is real or not. He is to me.

Answer 1

First of all, Welcome to the family!! What you're experiencing is normal for new believers. The enemy/satan is harassing you because he hates to let go of his captives & he's trying to convince you that things were better before you were born again. satan is a liar & the truth is not in him, so don't fall for it. Begin to read your Bible, especially First, Second & Third John & keep praying. As you grow in the Lord, you'll get stronger & the enemy's influence will diminish. Learn who you are in the Lord & exercise your authority. Don't give up, honey--you're gonna make it.

Answer 2

Wow, I'm going thru a trial right now, but I've been a Christian for a long time so I'm able to understand why I'm haveing my particular trial, its a consequence from my lack of obedience in a certain area.

I would encourage you to see counseling from your pastor and if you don't have a church get one immediately. You need a church family and especially an older woman to be your mentor.

There is so much God wants to do for you, but He works thru His people. That is where most of my consequences are coming from. I had a strong church family for almost 10 years, and yes, there would still be trials once in awhile, but when you have a church family they support and encourage you and they will do whatever they can to pull you out of the rut you may be in. Even if it means making your car payment or paying your rent, I've seen this and much more happen. And then when you are on your feet, you can help others that are in a similar situation you once were in.

However, as I was saying, after about 10 years of being a Christian, I had some tragic events happen and rather than turning to my Christain family as I always had, for some reason, I chose to crawl into a hole for awhile. Biggest mistake I could ever make. In fact the mistake has cost me almost $60,000 and I'm just now starting to recover. How am I recovering? By letting God's people back into my life. It's amazing how much help and answered prayers I've been getting in just 2 weeks.

Satan is trying to keep you from being an effective Christain, don't let him have victory in your life. When you wake up in the morning and you feel that stress coming on, give it to the Lord immediately. Rebuke Satan as God has given us the power to do through the name of Jesus Christ and surrender your life to the Lord right that very moment.

You may say, but I've already surrendered my life to the Lord. It can take years to surrender 100% of your life to Christ. We sometimes only give Him a portion, which is what it sounds like with you. Paul said, I think it was in Phillipians, to keep working out your salvation. It doesn't mean you don't have salvation, it means to keep working toward that 100% surrender. Sometimes I have to surrender my heart and will several times a day, because I keep pulling it back.

You have to get a good relationship going with Jesus. Do you talk to Him everyday? Moer than once? Picture it like this. I don't know if you are married, but imagine living in the same home with someone, whether its a husband or even parents, if you went throughout each day not talking to them, what kind of a relationship would you have with them? How do you build a realtionship with someone without talking to them? Its impossible.

Start talking to Jesus as if He was right next to you, which He really is, you just can't see Him. Read the Bible so you can understand more as to who God is. Most of all, get with your church family frequently for fellowship, it is essential to the life of a Christian.

Don't let Satan have vicotry. Look at it this way also, if you start doing the things mentioned, everything you've gone thru since you accepted Christ, is going to be a part of your testimony. Every trial that we go thru, as long as we seek Christ with all our heart, God will have the victory, He wants you to win and overcome all that is bothering you. He wants only the best for you, you just need to find that missing link (and not the evolution one!) and you will soon be giving God glory everyday.

I'll be praying for you.

Answer 3

That's great that you gave you life to Christ. Don't give up this is just the Devil's way of trying to discourage you. Continue to focus on God, all Christians go through good and bad times but remember your not going through it alone anymore you've got Jesus with you. I'll being praying for you! Hang in there, it's worth it :)

Answer 4

What you are experiencing is part of being a follower of God. You get targeted more by Satan, but also God is on your side so don't give up.

Take it to the Lord in prayer like the writers of the Pslams did who were experiencing trouble in their lives, see for example Pslams 6, 13, 22, 32, 42, 63, 77, 88

Remember that God sees you and cares about you, he numbers the hairs on your head.

You may also find it helpful to read this chapter on prayer, from a book called Steps to Christ:
http://www.whiteestate.org/books/sc/sc11.html
an excerpt:
'Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. "The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.'

Answer 5

When you choose to walk with God, the devil is mad about that and will throw fiery darts at you. But we rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus, that though He slay you , yet you will trust Him. God never said we're going to have it smoothly, but He did say He'll never leave us nor forsake us. So in all your going through, know that God is on your side, and the battle isn't yours it's the Lord. Get in your word, so when the enemy comes in like a flood, God will lift up a standard against him. Be blessed

Answer 6

James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

God just might be refining you like silver or gold in the furnace. When you emerge from these trials, you will shine like never before, just as God intended you to.

Answer 7

Yes, this is the enemy creeping in. It is better you know that and prepare in Christ. When a weak "christian" has this happen they turn from God. Be careful that you don't. A Christian's reward is in heaven with God. Your reward is with Him. If you realize this fact and know God is with you, you will overcome. Testing your faith is hard, but fruitful. Grow in Christ, He is with you and loves you. My only advice is turn to the Lord, now more then ever. Be Blessed.

Answer 8

The devil doesn't need to tempt or make things bad for those who are not Christian - they already belong to him. Christians on the other hand - are what he needs to succeed.

Advice, keep thanking God for getting you through yet another stressful day talk to him when times are hard.

Answer 9

The devil likes to torment us, particularly new Christians. Keep your faith and it will pass. DO NOT obsess or it. Keep reading your Bible. If you have any forgiveness issues, deal with them now. This is the most important aspect of finding the peace that you desire. Walk in forgiveness as did our Lord and Savior.

Answer 10

You're just bearing your own cross. Jesus never said his followers would be free of hardship, quite the opposite.