Struggling in Christ?

Question

I am struggling to live in faith not fear. I am an African American woman. I pray to hear God and I do and he tells me what I want to hear. yet I am driven by fear and therefore I do the opposite. This is costing me my relationship, friendships and very recently almost my life. I am at a point where I feel broken, beyond measure. I know where to turn but lately I feel like God has turned a deaf ear to me. I know he loves me and I feel very stupid because it's one thing not to do what God tells you when you are hearing what you don't want to hear but it's borderline insanity when you are still not doing what he saus when you KNOW you should and you are hearing what you want. Now my days are not filled with joy my relationship is on the rocks (badly) and I am very down... Anyone gone through the same thing or similar that can give a christian and honest outlook on this. I recently decided to begin fasting...

Thanks,

Also are there any good African American Gospel songs that can help in this time. I have a few but would like more. There are alot of songs for people whohave great faith and understanding I need some for someone who does not who is lost and wanting to get back to God and his word.

Answer 1

Just remember to be driven by the Spirit of God, and not by fear...fear is an emotion... I've learned that you cannot lean on your emotions to pull you through difficult times; emotions are sinking sand. My pastor always says, "If you can change the way you think, it will change the way you feel...if you can change the way you feel, then you can change the way you act." Remember that we are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) So, when those thoughts of fear and brokenness come upon you, ask the Lord to help you make a mental effort to think upon things that are true, noble, pure, right, lovely, and admirable (Phillippians 4:8). Getting in the Word of God will change your outlook.
I've also found from personal experience that worship is a huge key to pushing through the clouds in life and seeing things from the perspective God calls His children to see from. Worship can mean music, as you mentioned, but it also means loving others as yourself. (Or, turn that around...do you love yourself as you love others??) Serve others and focus on their needs, and you will find that it fulfills you more than you ever would imagine!
As hard you've had it lately, don't resist difficult times-- "desert experiences" can truly bring you closer to the Lord. Some of the most beautiful flowers bloom in the desert!
In terms of good songs to listen to, try Hillsong's CD called "Faithful" from 2004. There's an amazing song called "Chosen as Mine" on it I immediately thought of... I also like Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and Israel Houghton.
Your first step in seeing a glimmer of hope has already been taken- asking for help! I pray that God's abundant grace and peace be upon you and you continue to reach out for help from family and friends, but especially your Loving Maker.
God bless!

Answer 2

First, why fear approximately ghosts and witchcraft? Who cares? Being a Christian is approximately searching for God and residing a holy lifestyles, no longer annoying approximately ghosts. Ditto approximately the top occasions. It'll occur while it occurs. Worrying approximately it may not difference some thing. Second, you sound like any one who is aware of a bit of, however who has HUGE gaps to your abilities. I can guarantee you that you do not know close to as so much approximately the Bible or God as you feel you do. Yes, there are lacking portions, however it is not the Bible's or any church's fault. You should not have the entire expertise you wish to have in view that you do not know the Bible. You are the supply of the lacking portions :) Think of it like this: Jesus' disciples spent three years finding out with Him. Before that they spent their beyond lives finding out the Old Testament. You've been studying the Bible for 3 years and feel you recognize such a lot that there is lacking portions to the Bible? Seriously, feel how foolish that sounds. My recommendation: a million. Find a well church. two. Make a few well Christian peers. three. Learn, and I imply LEARN, with a few humility. You sound worse than me while I used to be younger. I grew to become a Christian while I used to be a sophomore, had an remarkable reminiscence and browse 20 chapters of the Bible according to day. By my senior 12 months I used to be satisfied that I knew all of it and different Christians and church buildings have been corrupt and ignorant. Know what I discovered? I did not understand part up to I proposal I did. If I might have simply close up and listened to my priest I might have stored myself plenty of frustration.

Answer 3

Peace Sister,
Here is a song that I listen to often, I Am Not Forgotten by Isreal Houghton, it is very uplifting and also I Need A Healing by Kelly Price, is a good one. Both great when you are struggling. I can't really comment on your situation because I don't know what you are afraid of. Sometimes we are taught to fear God and love God at the same time, which in my opinion is crazy. We are taught about a God who has historically punished but we see thing happening right before our eyes and we wonder where THAT God is. However, I am learning that God has nothing whatsoever to do with what is happening as we are "free moral agents" on this earth. The decisions WE make determine the outcomes of our lives. And those decisions can be made on the individual, local, country and world level, but trust me, man is making them. That is the law of the UNIVERSE. What you put out you will get back. What you think you cause to be. One thing that worked for me is that I changed how I looked at things on the individual level, it helped me to work with myself in this difficult larger world of which I have no control, but I do have control of MY LITTLE WORLD. I began to be grateful to God for waking up each day. I looked at the trees and was happy to see them, I saw the marvelous things that WE as humans created and KNEW that if we could do this our Creator must be awesome as I was taught, that I was created in the image of the ALL. Know that you are wonderfully made, your Creator loves you and everyday can be wonderful if you want it to be.

Peace

Answer 4

I feel like the best scripture I can give you is this
1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." You will be tempted every day either by outside forces or yourself. Have faith God will always give you an out.

Answer 5

Hello, struggling one.

I love my album of Selah, where they have African sung songs reflecting true faith.

Remember, fear is not of God. All things good come from God. If you are driven by fear, I ask the Lord to remove your fear at once, and direct your attention to what He should have you to be.

I pray the Lord Thy God give you peace, joy, contentment, understanding, love. May you not doubt His existence. May He fill you with patience, kindness, and the blind faith that no matter what you feel this very moment, He will direct your path. Nothing anyone else is doing, is as important as you committing yourself to the belief that God is there for you, no matter what.

It is written that He will not forsake you. Have faith, dear friend. Keep your thoughts on the word and promises of God.

God bless you this very moment and day. Amen.

Answer 6

I feel like God has called me to answer this question soley because I was in the same situation you're in not too long ago. I began to withdraw from my family and friends and soon hadn't talked to them for months. Suicide walked through my mind constantly in those months. My boyfriend became so concerned he had to hide everything lethal from me, and if he hadn't, there's no telling what I might have done. I sat on my bed everyday thinking and pondering "Why?". I didn't know myself anymore.
I truely believe God heard my cries and knew. What he knew, I'm not sure. But he knew.
I woke up the next day with new understanding about my life. It was strange because I felt something deep in my soul that was truely happy that day. I will never forget it.

My advice would be to sit and talk to God. Tell him exactly how you feel; he listens. He might not tell you what you want to hear, but sometimes we don't tell him what he wants to hear either! This situation may be what he is putting you through to help you find him and bury him in your soul. I do not wish the pain I felt on anyone else. I hope you find what you are looking for within my answer or someone else's.
God bless.

Edit: I comend you extremely for posting this question because now I have new understanding about God from the other answers posted here.
If I may not have helped you, thank you for helping me.

Answer 7

Dear one you sound like you're going through a very difficult time. I'm sorry. You sound like you know the right things you have to do but you don't follow through. God has not turned a deaf ear to you, but you are dealing with disobedience. You say you know what he wants you to do but you don't do it. That's just plain old disobedience. You must fear man more than God. I think you should have a talk with your pastor and tell him you are not strong in your faith right now. Tell him you are being tempted and you're giving in to the temptation. He or she will pray with you and give some Scriptures to help build you up. He will also help you pray.

Answer 8

It is said that if something is inhibiting you from listening to God or going to church or doing the right thing that God will cut whatever it is out of your life so that you are no longer inhibited. If you are living in fear, fear of what? Know that the Lord your God is your savior, your light as you walk in faith. Don't be afraid, if you feel fear and are doing wrong, this is what I do. Scream or silently say, "Get thee behind me satan" and he will flee. Walk with God and he will show you the way. God bless you and I hope your troubles subside.

Answer 9

i struggle with faith when it comes to looking past my situation knowing it will get better. specially when it seems those mountains have been there for a long time.
here are some good ones.

KURT CARR- "almost let go" and "God blocked it"
YOLANDA ADAMS- the battle is the Lord
HELEN BAYOR- testimony
TRINITY- Gods grace
?- caught up
SHIRLEY CEASAR- yes Lord, yes

i want to add more, its not black gospel but if you listen to the words, it is very encouraging.
CASTING CROWNS- east to the west
HILLSONG- "came to the rescue" and "for this cause"
FLORIDA BOYS- when He was on the cross i was on His mind. (this is old but it still touches me)

Answer 10

I would suggest that your gaze be redirected from the Heavens downward to the Earth.

Your problems are here, and your solutions are here.

Take the three biggest worries and problems that you have and commit to making them better by next month.

The fear is telling you that you are not in the right house.

Move to a better house.