Is it true that God disciplines?

[mistyrose]

Hi, I am somewhat a new Christian, I come and go from following to not following. I guess I am the queen of backsliding. Something happened about a year ago, it clicked in me that I was not acting the way I should, and I rededicated myself to being a Christian. I have changed alot, more than I ever thought possible, but there of course there are many things still to come, I know how that goes. I do have some character flaws that I did not see before rebecoming a Christian, but now I know without a shadow of a doubt that are not what God wants me to be. I can feel God being very specific about what is wrong. I am not being very sucessful in changing some things, I guess if I am being honest because I am not trying very hard. I have a quiet internal temper, I am lazy, and I procrastinate, this has affected me negatively in my life, but it is part of my character so I am having trouble changing, even though I know I should. I have a stong suspicion that I am being disciplined for not changing (and I certainly do not feel very comfy in my spirit, I feel horrible). Basically, things have happened that are beyond what would be normal consequences, and only after I know God is saying something, and I do it anyways (don't ask me why, I am weak in some ways). I can say that I had warning before it happened, and I know why it happens as well. Does God really discipline today, or is this just strange thinking? It sounds so strange ge to say, though I know the verses in the Bible that say he does. I never hear people mention anything specific that has happened to them, but since this is an anonymous forum, I thought I could ask here. Thanks.

[thecrucifiedlife]

Hi, I am somewhat a new Christian, I come and go from following to not following. I guess I am the queen of backsliding. Something happened about a year ago, it clicked in me that I was not acting the way I should, and I rededicated myself to being a Christian. I have changed alot, more than I ever thought possible, but there of course there are many things still to come, I know how that goes. I do have some character flaws that I did not see before rebecoming a Christian, but now I know without a shadow of a doubt that are not what God wants me to be. I can feel God being very specific about what is wrong. I am not being very sucessful in changing some things, I guess if I am being honest because I am not trying very hard. I have a quiet internal temper, I am lazy, and I procrastinate, this has affected me negatively in my life, but it is part of my character so I am having trouble changing, even though I know I should. I have a stong suspicion that I am being disciplined for not changing (and I certainly do not feel very comfy in my spirit, I feel horrible). Basically, things have happened that are beyond what would be normal consequences, and only after I know God is saying something, and I do it anyways (don't ask me why, I am weak in some ways). I can say that I had warning before it happened, and I know why it happens as well. Does God really discipline today, or is this just strange thinking? It sounds so strange ge to say, though I know the verses in the Bible that say he does. I never hear people mention anything specific that has happened to them, but since this is an anonymous forum, I thought I could ask here. Thanks.
God does discipline. Look at Jesus, His last words on the cross were "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me." To a degree we worship a God that wants to bring us to our knees. Although there is a lot of preaching out there that God is here to bless us, His blessings are not always as we have planned. We may think a blessing is a new job, but God may want to bless us by having us lose 10 jobs so we can learn to rely on Him. I have experienced my own form of discipline, I remember right after I dedicated myself to God I went to a doctor and he thought I may have cancer. I went through many tests and I can remember thinking, "God, I just dedicated myself to you and now I am going to die of cancer, Why!" I did not have cancer but it taught me a lesson. I need to trust God no matter what. I am glad that you have decided to turn yourself in. Keep seeking God and accept God's discipline.
:thumbsup:

[mistyrose]

I am going to go pray now.

[ZealouS]

I think we all go through times of testing as thecrucifiedlife stated. I have recently become stronger in my faith and dedicated myself to the LORD also. I am currently battling it out with depression, wich causes abnormal thought patterns. I dont feel like myself accept when I am reading the word of God and he is helping me pull out of this. I have learned a great deal about judging others from my current experiences and it was one of my greatest down falls. We will not be tested beyond what we can endure.

1 Corinthians 10
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Furthermore we must not be like the seed that fell upon rock.

Luke 8
13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

Your brother in Christ,
Jedidiah

[xsynerinc]

Hi, I am somewhat a new Christian, I come and go from following to not following. I guess I am the queen of backsliding. Something happened about a year ago, it clicked in me that I was not acting the way I should, and I rededicated myself to being a Christian. I have changed alot, more than I ever thought possible, but there of course there are many things still to come, I know how that goes. I do have some character flaws that I did not see before rebecoming a Christian, but now I know without a shadow of a doubt that are not what God wants me to be. I can feel God being very specific about what is wrong. I am not being very sucessful in changing some things, I guess if I am being honest because I am not trying very hard. I have a quiet internal temper, I am lazy, and I procrastinate, this has affected me negatively in my life, but it is part of my character so I am having trouble changing, even though I know I should. I have a stong suspicion that I am being disciplined for not changing (and I certainly do not feel very comfy in my spirit, I feel horrible). Basically, things have happened that are beyond what would be normal consequences, and only after I know God is saying something, and I do it anyways (don't ask me why, I am weak in some ways). I can say that I had warning before it happened, and I know why it happens as well. Does God really discipline today, or is this just strange thinking? It sounds so strange ge to say, though I know the verses in the Bible that say he does. I never hear people mention anything specific that has happened to them, but since this is an anonymous forum, I thought I could ask here. Thanks.

i am also a person to whom God has shown great mercy and compassion inspite of my faults and mistakes after i've rededicated my life.

my testimony is:

i believe that theres a difference between disipline and correction.

i do not believe that God disiplines by troubling circumstances.. but that He corrects us by His word. remember that when we were sinners God in love sent His Son to die for us.. so why would He, now being our Father punish us by adversity, trials, etc. ?

whatever weaknesses and faults a believer may have.. God does not upbraid us because of them. but He would comfort and encourage us in our allowing Him to do a work of transforming the weakness to that of strength in Christ.

we must come boldly to the throne of Grace and request help in the areas of weaknesses that we are aware of.. and spend time in God's word.. His good news.. and prayerfully be willing to be changed.

God loves you, and He wants to do only good to/for you.

[thecrucifiedlife]

I am going to go pray now.
That is the right place to go. I will also pray for you. I just started on this forum and it is a great place to get help and fellowship. I would have never through that the internet could be such a spiritual place.

[mistyrose]

This is my situation, we are owners of four very successful fast food stores, and I have to open two more in the next five months. Alot of work to be sure, but doable, because I have done it four times already. I am not burnt out, this is well within my reach, but I just have trouble being disciplined enough to do it in a coordinated matter. I have stayed on top of the other four stores with my normal pattern of behavior but I think two more stores will be the straw that broke the camels back. I also have God saying to me why it is wrong to do this in a undisciplined fashion, and I need to remake myself in the way he wants me to be, and he will not use me for anything else until I can do this. I know if sounds like a detailed message to get, but what I am hearing is so unmistakable. I really don't care about money at all, all I want is enough to live, my real passion is social reform, I care deeply about the care of the poor. Since I don't have to think about money to live, and my Husband is in agreement, I wanted to basically dedicate my skills to service, I have always done this with what I have, I don't why it just is natural. But I keep on hearing from God that I have to change first, maybe if I liked business it would be ok, but I am not a business woman at heart. It is absolutly not me. I have been battling this for almost a year with God, and it has come to be quite un-nearving to my poor soul, and I don't think I am going to escape without being disciplined if I do not conform to what God is telling me to do.

[thecrucifiedlife]

This is my situation, we are owners of four very successful fast food stores, and I have to open two more in the next five months. Alot of work to be sure, but doable, because I have done it four times already. I am not burnt out, this is well within my reach, but I just have trouble being disciplined enough to do it in a coordinated matter. I have stayed on top of the other four stores with my normal pattern of behavior but I think two more stores will be the straw that broke the camels back. I also have God saying to me why it is wrong to do this in a undisciplined fashion, and I need to remake myself in the way he wants me to be, and he will not use me for anything else until I can do this. I know if sounds like a detailed message to get, but what I am hearing is so unmistakable. I really don't care about money at all, all I want is enough to live, my real passion is social reform, I care deeply about the care of the poor. Since I don't have to think about money to live, and my Husband is in agreement, I wanted to basically dedicate my skills to service, I have always done this with what I have, I don't why it just is natural. But I keep on hearing from God that I have to change first, maybe if I liked business it would be ok, but I am not a business woman at heart. It is absolutly not me. I have been battling this for almost a year with God, and it has come to be quite un-nearving to my poor soul, and I don't think I am going to escape without being disciplined if I do not conform to what God is telling me to do.
If the Spirit is leading you in a certain direction it would be wise to go there, no matter the costs. I know for myself I struggled for a long time trying to know what God wanted me to do. About two years ago I hit a breaking point with the leadership in a church I was attending. I thought they were trying to just grow the church at any costs, and I felt for the current members because they were not growing in their faith and not being supported. I had to part ways with them and I did not know where to go, or what direction God wanted me to go. But I came to realize that I was the one that was not close to God and the Spirit was not really in my life. I have since seen that by dying to myself and seeking God that the direction that I craved from God was right there, I had just never given up my life fully to Him.

[mistyrose]

Its just hard because I could do absolutely anything else I was required to do both both physically and spiritually, just not this, it is so contrary to who I am.