I feel like it's getting to be more of a struggle to stay strong. I'm fighting to keep my 13 y.o. from becoming brain washed, 98% of my Christian friends aren't interested in end times or think "that's what they've been saying for years" regarding the Rapture. I can't watch a nice show on TV without sex or the gay agenda being shoved in my face. There's so much death. People don't listen anymore when discussing prophecy. I'm finishing up school as I went back for a better degree, but I wished I had spent the time enjoying life because we're going to be called home soon. I have my eye on Jesus, but I have tunnel vision. I can't explain what I feel in words. I feel guilty for being selfish, but I want to go Home.
Anyone else struggling to cope?
- Thread starter Mar
- Start date
pixelpusher
Well-Known Member
cheeky200386
Well-Known Member
You're definitely not alone. It's getting harder to avoid the sin. It's everywhere and now celebrated. We just have to keep on praying for God's mercy and strength to endure. He will keep us close to him as our refuge and strength. Thank the Lord we have each other!
Amen sister!
All we can do is keep our focus on Him, help others when possible to see the Light, and live out our life as best we can.
alisani
Well-Known Member
You're not alone. As you mention, a lot of Christians these days are lukewarm at best. This forum is a great place to plug in and meet that need for godly fellowship and support.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Everlasting Life
Through Faith in Jesus
I think this is most important! I've also found taking breaks from news and increasing bible reading time is very helpful.
I try to be careful of fear (different from being cautiously prudent as the Bible talks of), for our enemy loves to use fear to undermine and paralize a Christian, even to attempt to push one outside of God's will in reaction to fear.
I love the stories in the Old Testament where God was faithful to individuals in Israel who were following Him, where the nation itself was dealing with the consequences of unfaithfulness to God.
athenasius
Well-Known Member
Welcome Mar! You are among family here!
You are a healthy Christian if your soul is vexed and distressed by what you see and hear around you! Peter said something about what you describe.
Peter says this in 2 Peter 2: 4-9 (NIV)
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Judgment for the evil we see around us is COMING! The Tribulation period when God pours out HIS WRATH on the earth, and the evil doers that seem to thrive right now.
Mar you are like us, like Lot-- we are distressed, tormented by the depraved sinful acts we see and hear of. Healthy Christians HATE evil, what it is, what it does.
God could judge the earth in one day, but He will take 7 years, so that even in that terrible period of the Tribulation, people can avoid eternal damnation by getting saved and refusing the mark. His justice is tempered with mercy.
We groan as we long for the Rapture just as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5 longing to be clothed with our immortal glorified bodies, living in His presence away from the sin, in the presence of His Holiness forever. We long for that day, when by death or Rapture we get to be with Him and never more be distressed by the sin going on around us or that we so easily fall into.
Right now God is having mercy on those who are being saved right up to the moment of the Rapture. It seems so long to wait, especially now, the closer we get. God is not willing to let them perish.
Peter explains it in 2 Peter:3:3-9 where he says this about the end times and the Rapture..
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
I've always been fascinated by the implications of verses 3-7 because those imply CHURCH GOING PEOPLE who scoff at the flood, at Creation. Unbelievers don't waste a lot of time scoffing at Christians for these beliefs now--the attack is from within the church. The very ones who do know God's word are the ones who scoff at those who believe that Word fully.
That's why it seems like 98% of your Christian friends don't care. A lot of pastors don't either.
And that is exactly the kind of backslidden, apostate church that the Bible predicts in the last days. Just before the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 NKJV
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Hugs hon!
Prayer and your daily witness to your son, matter most for him. Just keep going in that fight for his soul.
You are a healthy Christian if your soul is vexed and distressed by what you see and hear around you! Peter said something about what you describe.
Peter says this in 2 Peter 2: 4-9 (NIV)
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Judgment for the evil we see around us is COMING! The Tribulation period when God pours out HIS WRATH on the earth, and the evil doers that seem to thrive right now.
Mar you are like us, like Lot-- we are distressed, tormented by the depraved sinful acts we see and hear of. Healthy Christians HATE evil, what it is, what it does.
God could judge the earth in one day, but He will take 7 years, so that even in that terrible period of the Tribulation, people can avoid eternal damnation by getting saved and refusing the mark. His justice is tempered with mercy.
We groan as we long for the Rapture just as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5 longing to be clothed with our immortal glorified bodies, living in His presence away from the sin, in the presence of His Holiness forever. We long for that day, when by death or Rapture we get to be with Him and never more be distressed by the sin going on around us or that we so easily fall into.
Right now God is having mercy on those who are being saved right up to the moment of the Rapture. It seems so long to wait, especially now, the closer we get. God is not willing to let them perish.
Peter explains it in 2 Peter:3:3-9 where he says this about the end times and the Rapture..
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
I've always been fascinated by the implications of verses 3-7 because those imply CHURCH GOING PEOPLE who scoff at the flood, at Creation. Unbelievers don't waste a lot of time scoffing at Christians for these beliefs now--the attack is from within the church. The very ones who do know God's word are the ones who scoff at those who believe that Word fully.
That's why it seems like 98% of your Christian friends don't care. A lot of pastors don't either.
And that is exactly the kind of backslidden, apostate church that the Bible predicts in the last days. Just before the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 NKJV
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Hugs hon!
daygo
Well-Known Member
Same here, looking at all the lies and deception, even so called Christians doing awful things like stealing and treating parents awfully.
JamesSuth
Well-Known Member
There are some great thoughts on this thread, an encouragement to all of us. We need to keep our eyes on Christ, and remember it is a good thing to feel pain about the way the world is.
I just wanted to pick up on what you said about going back to school. Sometimes we look back and think we should have gone down a different route. Perhaps that is correct, but even if it is, God knows our heart and if we wanted what was best He can still use it for good. Who knows what fruit might come as a result of all the people you met and spoke to during your school time.
The worse the world gets, the more we know we are getting much closer to His return.
I just wanted to pick up on what you said about going back to school. Sometimes we look back and think we should have gone down a different route. Perhaps that is correct, but even if it is, God knows our heart and if we wanted what was best He can still use it for good. Who knows what fruit might come as a result of all the people you met and spoke to during your school time.
The worse the world gets, the more we know we are getting much closer to His return.
Mocha Latte
Well-Known Member
You are not alone! It is nice to have this community.
It seems strange that even Christians (so-called) alienate true believers. Sometimes it feels like I’m on an island alone that’s drifting further and further away as the world grows darker.
But thank you to @athenasius and all for some excellent thoughts. It just feels like it gets increasingly hard to live in a world getting more evil by the day.
It seems strange that even Christians (so-called) alienate true believers. Sometimes it feels like I’m on an island alone that’s drifting further and further away as the world grows darker.
But thank you to @athenasius and all for some excellent thoughts. It just feels like it gets increasingly hard to live in a world getting more evil by the day.
JoyJoyJoy
I Shall Not Be Moved
Dearest Sister Mar I am happy you are here with us on RF. You will find love and encouragement ♡♡♡♡♡
Keeping your 13 yr old from being brainwashed is probably a full time job in itself. Many of us have kids and grandkids and understand your struggles.
May I ask what your new degree is in??
Keeping your 13 yr old from being brainwashed is probably a full time job in itself. Many of us have kids and grandkids and understand your struggles.
May I ask what your new degree is in??
athenasius
Well-Known Member
Oh you really have landed among friends. Several of us that participate on the boards have medical backgrounds besides daygo-- he's from Britain and myself-- I retired from nursing here in Canada to homeschool my kids thru highschool back in the mid 90s. Diane B is another-- I think she worked in the NICU in the States, and some that are in off and on also have nursing or similar. Ozaprah is a dr from Australia.
God bless you in your work. It's a real calling and much needed.
It's amazing the different places God has had us all work, lamps in the surrounding darkness at our workplaces, and here we can come and talk about the Rapture and the Bible among people who love and respect God's word.
Baby Yoda
Well-Known Member
penbrat
Well-Known Member
I wake up most days surprised we are still here. And I get world weary, as I know everyone does from time to time. And I pray for the Rapture to happen every day. But as long as I am still here, I have to remember that God still has a plan and a purpose for me. I do think time is short and soon (maybe sooner than we realize) we will see our King! That is what keeps me going. OP - bless you for being a light for your daughter!
SarahRose
Well-Known Member
Welcome Mar 
Just wanted to agree with what others have said above. It’s definitely a balance between wanting to go home and focusing on what the Lord wants us to do while we’re here.
We can’t know exactly when we’ll be caught up, but it sure does feel like we’re getting close…
So glad you’re here to join in fellowship. I have only been here a couple of months and it has really helped me as I’ve struggled with some of the same thoughts you’ve shared. Just knowing there are other Christians feeling the same way has helped so much. The people here are really encouraging, especially in these wild times.
Just wanted to agree with what others have said above. It’s definitely a balance between wanting to go home and focusing on what the Lord wants us to do while we’re here.
We can’t know exactly when we’ll be caught up, but it sure does feel like we’re getting close…
So glad you’re here to join in fellowship. I have only been here a couple of months and it has really helped me as I’ve struggled with some of the same thoughts you’ve shared. Just knowing there are other Christians feeling the same way has helped so much. The people here are really encouraging, especially in these wild times.
Agree. While were still here for as long as He desires, our focus should be on Him, and helping others see the Light.
I no longer fret, or worry about when the rapture will happen. Today, tomorrow, next year, next century, no matter when, the church will end up at the same place. Our eternal destination is already set.
The Apostle Paul even in his most trying times, lived his life to the fullest, because no matter the circumstances he wrote
Philippians 11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Reason & Hope
Well-Known Member
What would really help me cope right now is having a church that I can call home. I live in a fairly populous area but finding a church with good theology, that's pretrib (or at least not anti-prophecy), and that doesn't have horribly loud music is hard. (The music is important because the church we were attending has such loud bass & drums that we could feel it in our chests and my daughter says it makes her feel like she's having a panic attack.)
Anyway, I've been spending a lot of time researching churches, checking out services online, praying ... and I'm discouraged, so I'm just venting here.
Anyway, I've been spending a lot of time researching churches, checking out services online, praying ... and I'm discouraged, so I'm just venting here.
