Christians, I am a christian and really struggling with some things right now, any advice?

Question

So what is the bonus to being a Christian other than attaining heaven at the end? Why is it you have to just 'believe' that God is good, when around you screams that He isn't?

I see the devil having power over us, if satan can go to God and petition Him to attack us, why is it we can't go to God to petition Him to say no? So who has greater power then? If God gives satan the power to do us wrong, where does the power lie? Its not with us then......

If God allows free will to rein on earth and then allows those people to use their free will as they see fit, then God has no control over free will? If God has power over free will, then He would use His Power to actually protect His children from satan instead of giving satan the go ahead to whomp us.

I realize God doesn't create evil. However He creates those that will be evil, knowing full well the catastrocities they will cause.

Knowing the disasters and murders and hate crimes against ones that are His Children. How can Christians make sense of this, how can they just accept the fact that God ok's satan to do these things.

I can't answer these, its just a really hard time with a christian friend committing suicide at the hands of someone so atrocious and dangerous that she could see no way out further. The night before she was quoting scripture, the next morning she shot herself.

Knowing the disasters and murders and hate crimes against ones that are His Children. How can Christians make sense of this, how can they just accept the fact that God ok's satan to do these things.

I can't answer these, its just a really hard time with a christian friend committing suicide at the hands of someone so atrocious and dangerous that she could see no way out further. The night before she was quoting scripture, the next morning she shot herself.

Answer 1

Don't just listen to the preacher and TV. Read the Bible, History books and seek your own truths!

Answer 2

I don't have a "traditional" Christian belief system. So while my intent is not to offend anyone, I usually manage to do so anyway.

I believe God created an ordered universe. I believe the means were through a series of laws, through which He spoke the universe into exisitance. Science discovers these laws as it advances. Science tells us that at the speed of light, time stands still. Imagine God moving as a creative force at the speed of light...well, anyway.

I believe that true justice means "rank" does not have its privilege. The "laws" apply to the highest the same way they apply to the lowest. The fall of Satan? He thought he found a loophole. I believe we were created to prove it false, to defeat his evil nature. The message of Christianity, its essence, if you will, is that God did not exempt Himself from the law, even at the expense of His own flesh and blood.

There is a bigger picture.

I don't see the purpose of Christianity to be "getting into heaven." It's the redemption of mankind. Our part is to follow the example of Jesus, in humility and service to others. Our redemption "proves the devil wrong." And he's rather p*ssed about it.

Scripture consistantly describes the conflict between good and evil as a war. The corporate church, historically speaking has had a tendancy to bounce between extremes: either preaching hellfire and brimstone and creating the image that our motivation should be the fear and avoidance of Hell, or the love and acceptance and grace side that tends to soft pedal sin, ignoring its consequences and effects in THIS life.

I would recommend a book by Brian MacClaren, called "A different kind of Christian" that tells the story of a man in the midst of a spiritual crisis, and his journey.

I am sorry for you and your friend.

Answer 3

I get overwhelmed by this world. If I allow myself, I can get paralyzed by fear and sadness. I have to keep reminding myself that such things need to come to pass as we march toward the end. God does not work in a life where he is not invited. Sometimes it looks like he is invited but maybe the heart is hard, or the mind not sober/sound. Satan seeks those whom he can devour. As our society continues to eliminate God from all things, it widens the door for Satan to operate. The crystal meth drug is the best thing Satan has in his arsenal right now. Thousands and thousands are falling from it. God can not interfer with free will/choice. We create what we create by our own choices. When I start getting overwhelmed, again, I put my head down, put one foot in front of the other, grab a hold of his garment, and go. He has never lead me astray in fact, he has saved me from myself too many times to count. I am my own worst enemy. I depend on his grace, patience, love every single moment. Otherwise, I would cease to be. I don't know if this helps you or not.

Answer 4

God IS good. But this world and this life are not the point of Creation. Yes, Satan has power to petition God. BUT SO DO YOU. It's called prayer. And fasting. You as a Christian have more than equal access to God's Throne. Most people simply don't bother. And that's a shame.

Yes, the free will of men can cause great harm, and they will pay for the harm they cause. Your friend was pushed past the limits of her endurance. God will not punish her for that. But God cannot stop anyone from exercising their free will. To do so would not only make Him a liar, but would open the door to accusations against God Himself of spiritual rape.
God is no rapist.

Answer 5

I am so sorry for your loss and such sadness, Please don't let this loss confuse you nor let Satan steal away your faith.

I have been through much loss and I have lived a very harsh life, yet EVERY TIME I called out to GOD and prayed for HIS protection HE has NEVER failed me.

You have asked a great question, that almost all of us ask many times in our lives. Please ask GOD what HE wants you to learn from this sad event in your life, so that you may be able to help others in your friends same situation.

I have been where your friend was, and I have learned through prayer and the word of GOD that through Jesus we DO have POWER over Satan. Satan is not a winner You can be, and others can be blessed with what you are going through right now.

We as Christian's must remember that Satan knocks on the door to our heart through our thoughts and when we dwell on what he has put there, we sometimes forget the POWER of GOD granted us through HIS WONDERFUL SON'S death and Resurrection. Christ said that through HIM we are more than conquerors and we can over come this evil world.

My prayers are with you.

Answer 6

I think as humans we forget what our purpose is and that is to serve God and sometimes serving God is difficult. I think we all struggle to follow him and because we are sinners and because we as humans have free will he allows things to happen to us and the people we love. I have had a few people close to me die some reasons known others I think just get in such a dark place or go down a wrong path and the Lord just takes them out of that situation. He wants us to never stop believing and hoping. There is good out there it may not always feel that way but I think God lets us go through trials and suffering so we can experience his mercy and love and compassion even when we feel all is lost. It's not lost. The Lord creates and unfortunately sin destroys. Its the sinful nature that hinders man but God's mercy and love restores. Satan is the creator of hate, evil and confusion and if it weren't for Satan we would be perfect. God gave us the mercy of Eternal Life through his son Jesus Christ and if we choose to follow him then we will be saved. God does give free will and he will one day destroy satan. God gave Lucifer a choice and he chose to try to become more powerful than God, He gave Adam and Eve a choice and he gives us a choice. Obey or you will die. So he does give free will but at a price. Some people just find it easier to believe than others. We all make mistakes but at least we can ask for forgiveness and God will have mercy.

Answer 7

First, God never said life would be easy (John 16:33). Second, as a Christian, I can petition God for any need. Sometimes He delivers me and sometimes He gives grace to face it (read Job, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, Romans 5:1-8, Hebrews 4:15-16). God will one day, in His time, will bring final judgment upon the wickedness of this world, and only those who are His will find an eternity of life and the fulness of true pleasures with God Himself. Until then, remeber, He is with us always, even to the end of this world (Matthew 28:20).
He knows exactly where you're at, closer than you think.

Answer 8

I understand your question deeply.. I went through a similar situation (crisis of faith .. you could call) years ago.

I am not a Christian but I had similar questions about the concept of God.

I read a lot and did a lot of research and found out that it is contradictory. Everybody (Christian, Muslims, Hindus, Jews) quoted the scriptures but nobody could shed a tiny bit of enlightenment in clearing the confusion.

That was the day I became an Atheist.... but by this time I did have a good understanding of the different religions and what is it they were trying to do.

I am not saying don't be a Christian or religious or spiritual but educate yourself and keep yours mind open to new ideas.

And most of all believe in yourself and the reality around you. Nobody, not even God can change reality.

Answer 9

Be strong, dear, God is not dead. He sees and hears everything. Keep in mind that these things happening on the earth right now has been prophesied in God's Word. He also said that when these things come to past do not fret for it is only for a season. Keep moving, don't let satan deceive you, all power is in God's hands. Just remember that just like when it rains on the unjust, it rains on the just as well. Here's is something that I would like to leave with you, "weeping may endure for the night but, joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5 I also recommend that you read Matthew 24, this will help you to see what I have just said. Love you in Christ.

Answer 10

Look, I can give you answers of the truth but you must be able to receive them. First, there are only two wills in this world, good and evil. Which one are you? Second, satan is defeated and has been since the garden. God cursed him above all the beasts of the earth and made him crawl on his belly eating dust the rest of his days!! Third, man has had dominion over the earth since the beginning. Never does it say that man lost it. It is a deception when it is taught man lost his dominion. Fourth, the power that man has to have dominion over the earth is only available by God's grace. His grace is accessable only one way and that is by one humbling himself under God by thanking Him in all things(thoughts) regardless of what the circumstances may be. So young one, just thank God and let grace take care of the rest. Thank Him and keep your mind on Jesus.

Answer 11

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I will be praying for you and your friends family. Why God allows such things I do not know. I was listening to a Christian radio station today and the man on it mentioned that Jesus cried out on the Cross God why have you forsaken me? All's I can think of is Job and all he lost as well. I don't know what to say...God be with you and my prayers are with you.