spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
Location: Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see
Posts: 7,243
Christian question; how do you stay strong with God
When your world is crumbling around you?
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This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
But I guess I'd would say this - what does "crumbling" mean really. If things are changing, people leaving our lives, truths we believed in are not truths at all, hardcore financial issues.... all of it - the bottom line is that theres a reason. I guess thats where the whole "Thy will be done" not MY will be done comes in for me.
When the poopy hit the fan for me a while back and my "world was crumbling" I had to stop, take a deep breath and realize that theres a plan and if things were going a certain way there was for sure a reason. Put my trust in HIM and know that what is happening is absolutely supposed to be happening (even if it totally sucks) and that when the dust settles I'll look back and say "ah hah. Now i get it". Or even try to look for the meaning while its going on. There is always a lesson to be learned, new truths to see, growth that comes from chaos if you take the time to look for it. And if its not there right away or you're too far in/too close to see it - give it some time. It'll be revealed sooner or later and again, you'll say to yourself 'oooh, so thats why all that happened' and you'll feel better.
I don't know if that helps at all. But thats how I feel.
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~Barb
Mama to 18yo Chelsey, 8yo Zoey & 5yo Roman
Zoeys 8th birthday!
When the world is crumbling around me is when I am strongest with God. I need Him more, and I depend on Him more in those times. I have to say, though, that in the recent past when things were going well, I had mre time to devote to prayer and doing God's work - it was easier. Now it is harder because my life is messy, now I have to make time. So, I am doing that and trying hard. I'll let you know how that works out.
Location: Trying to find a few more hours in the day
Posts: 9,880
I agree with the other mama's. I find that when my "world is crumbling" The only cement I have to put it all back or keep it together is with the Lord. People will often say that God will never give you more than you can handle, but that is not true. If He didn't give us more than we could handle we'd have no reason to depend on him if we could handle it ourselves. Full faith and trust in God is necessary but it is often easier said than done, take it from someone who knows.
If you feel like you want to share just know that there are many many mamas here for you and will listen to you and hug you, albeit virtual Me being one of them. If it helps you to feel any better know that I am saying a prayer for you right now that the Lord will help guide you and give you the strength that you need to get through whatever trials you are dealing with right now.
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not Faint" Isaiah 40:31
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,744
I dont know....sometimes in most desperate times, I have felt like I could not go on, but God was faithful to get me through somehow.
But goin through it was the pits. I really have nothing to encourage you with Charlotte, except to say that it will work out....I have never seen God not work it out!
What all the other mamas said... God will pull you through - stay faithful.
We have and are still going through some very trying times but we stay faithful that God does have a plan for our family.
We have already learned so much and would never be the people we have become if it hadn't been for the challenges - we have grown more faithful and stronger.
Know that God loves you and we are here for you too!
Location: Trying to find a few more hours in the day
Posts: 9,880
PSALM 56:1-4
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
ROMANS 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
I think Psalms in general are very strengthening. Also, focusing very hard on saying "...thy will be done..." and meaning it. Lastly, Eastern Christianity has a meditative prayer that can become a mantra, that helps me a great deal. it is hard to pray and mean it, because one has to let go of ego, but it's "Lord, Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." It's also called the Jesus prayer or the prayer of the publican. It's the subject of the book The Way of the Pilgrim - a great book about prayer and humility. There is a wealth of information on the internet about this that can be found by google-ing "Jesus Prayer".
I agree with the other mamas who said they are closest to God when life is toughest. My favorite bible passage for this is:
Psa 121:1 [[A Song of degrees.]] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psa 121:2 My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Psa 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Psa 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psa 121:5 The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Psa 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
That passage was so so vital to me when dh and I were having problems a few years ago.
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~*~Tiffany~*~
"Receive the children with reverence.
Educate them in love.
Send them forth in freedom."
~Rudolf Steiner
Wanted to add also, one phrase I learned from my mom that I meditate on frequently when times are rough (or heck, even when one of the kids is going through a particularly irritating phase...lol!) is "This too shall pass." say it to yourself or out loud a LOT. It always reminds me of times that I thought were so hard at the time but they *all* passed. So this will too, yk?
I've always found that when my world is crumbling, I am stronger in my faith. I suppose it's because at some point it's out of my hands, and completely in God's hands, and I know that wherever He leads me, is where He wants me to be. I may not always have what I want, but I know God will always be there providing my basic needs.
PSALM 56:1-4
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
ROMANS 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Oh I love that Psalm! That may be a good one for me to memorize. Also the one in Romans....a friend of mine recommended that one to me recently when I was waiting for test results that was I so stressed over. (they came back fine, BTW)
I am finding that I do like the Psalms....I need to try to read one each day when I do my regular reading/study.
Me being one of them. If it helps you to feel any better know that I am saying a prayer for you right now that the Lord will help guide you and give you the strength that you need to get through whatever trials you are dealing with right now. 
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