About two years ago, life started to get bad.  I was told to read Job.  I was devoted to God, thought He was real, but this, to me, is cruel.  I never thought the God of the Bible could hurt one of His own.  If what I am going through is a Job thing… why?  Why do we humans have to go through such bad things?

 

Sincerely,
Horribly Hurting

Dear Horribly Hurting,

The book of Job does answer your question, but you have to understand the point of the book to get the lesson.  God never hurt Job; the devil did (Job 2:7).  Job suffered because the devil accused God of protecting Job too much.  He accused Job of serving God, not out of love, but out of a desire for blessings (Job 1:9-11).  The devil was wrong, though; Job didn’t renounce God even when he was suffering (Job 1:22).  Job’s life testifies that serving God is about more than just being blessed; it is about love.

When christians remain faithful to God throughout immense trials, they prove to the world that Christianity is not a club or a Sunday activity – being a christian is a way of life.  When people take up their crosses and follow Christ, the world sees that we are serious (Matt 16:24).  When we suffer for doing right, we have nothing to be ashamed of; we are glorifying God (1 Pet 4:15).  It is through many trials that we enter God’s kingdom (Acts 14:22).  We here at AYP don’t know exactly what it is that you are suffering through, but if you suffer as a christian, know that you are not suffering in vain (1 Pet 3:17-18).  In this life, you may get bad things – but no matter what, in the next life, you shall be comforted (Lk 16:25).

My question is what happens when the answer you were expecting doesn't come to pass?  I know the heavenly Father is beyond time, but my circumstances and I are not, and time has run out.  I am in danger of losing my job, I won’t be able to attend school this semester...again, and I don't have any money to pay my rent.  I know there are people in far worse situations, but if God would put me in a position to help others, I would.  Why was life designed this way?  Why do we have to go through misery?  If a person makes up his/her mind to serve God and be on the side of righteousness, why should we have to continue to go through the heartache and evil of this world?  Everything has finally come to a head, and, like I said, I am in a state of despair.  I don't know how much longer I can endure this life.  I want to thank you for taking the time to set up a website like this for people who seek answers.  Thank you in advance, sir.

 

Sincerely,
Suffering Servant

Dear Suffering Servant,

If becoming a christian instantly removed all of life’s problems, everyone would obey the gospel for that reason alone.  Solomon said it best, “All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his evil-doing.”

(Eccl 7:15).  This life doesn’t always favor the godly.  Sometimes, the bad guy does finish first, yet Solomon also said that “it shall be well with them that fear God” (Eccl 8:12) and “it shall not be well with the wicked” (Eccl 8:13).

Many times people suffer for being christians; the apostle Paul said it was mandatory that christians go through trials (Acts 14:22).  In fact, Paul said that we should rejoice in tribulation because trials bring the best out of God’s people, making us stronger; trials strengthen our hope and trust in God (Rom 5:3-5).  Like the sun softens butter and hardens clay, trials soften humble hearts and harden selfish souls.  Christianity is about relinquishing control of our lives and trusting in the Lord (Pr 3:5).  Our hearts go out to you as you suffer through various trials of no small degree – suffering is never pleasant.  Yet, you can know that the Lord will care for His people (Ps 37:25), and there is much to learn from the trials this life brings (Heb 12:11).

When I was about eleven, I was baptized.  When I was in my teens, I did something stupid (won’t tell what it is because it disgusts me to even think of it).  But in the Old Testament, it says to kill the woman who does this because it’s disgusting in the Lord’s sight.  I have read several different versions since then and many years have passed.  I cannot find anything to make myself think that God will forgive me.  To think that God is disgusted with you....

 

Can I be forgiven?  Can I be clean again?

Sincerely,
Guilt-Ridden

Dear Guilt-Ridden,

Nothing can be more disgusting and horrible than killing christians – and God forgave Paul of that sin (Acts 26:10).  Paul said that he was set up as an example to all mankind that any sin, no matter how horrid, can be forgiven (1 Tim 1:16).  As much as Paul grieved his sins (he considered himself the least of the apostles, 1 Cor 15:9), he also gave thanks that God forgave him (Col 1:12-14).  Paul’s future life was fueled by the fact that it was by God’s grace he had been given a second chance.  Only in Christianity can we fully accept the weight and gravity of our sins and just as fully accept the gift of forgiveness.  “By the grace of God” Paul had hope, and because of that grace, he “labored more abundantly than all” (1 Cor 15:10).  Like the woman that was brought to Jesus to be stoned, you can be set free with a second chance (read the account of that woman in John chapter 8).  His only command to her was, “Go and sin no more” (Jhn 8:11).

I am a christian, but there is one thing I've always been confused about. Hundreds of times throughout the Bible (Old and New Testaments) we are told to "fear the Lord" (Some examples are Deu 10:20, Ps 2:11, Ps 112:1, and Eccl 3:14), but then in certain passages it says that if God lives in you, there is no fear (like 1 Jn 4:18).  This seems to be terribly contradictory and confusing.  Can you explain it to me, please?

 

Sincerely,
Panic Attack

Dear Panic Attack,

The word ‘fear’ is used in two senses throughout the Bible.  ‘Fear’ is sometimes used to mean ‘terror and dread’.  This can easily be seen in the verses like Heb 13:6 and Acts 16:29.  This is the way we use the word ‘fear’ in our modern speech.  However, there is a second distinctly different meaning for ‘fear’.  ‘Fear’ can also refer to ‘respect and reverence’.  When God tells a woman to fear her husband – that means to respect him (Eph 5:33).  It wouldn’t make sense for God to command a wife to be terrified or to dread her husband.  This is also what is meant when God commands servants to fear their masters (1 Pet 2:18).

When God tells us to fear Him, He means that we should revere and honor Him above all others (1 Pet 2:17).  We should never forget that God is in control and mightier than us; those who forget to respect and revere God will be condemned (Rom 3:16-18).

However, when we turn to God and devote ourselves in love to Him, we no longer need to fear Him as our enemy.  When we love God and draw near to Him, He draws near to us (Jas 4:8).  We can now approach God as our Father (Rom 8:15).  As we perfect our love for God, we need no longer tremble in terror (which is one type of fear) because our respect and reverence (another type of fear) for our Heavenly Father has allowed us to boldly approach Him without fear of judgment (1 Jn 4:16-18).

I'm having a hard time forgiving myself for a wrong choice I made.  What do I need to do?  I have asked God to forgive me, but I feel so guilty and unclean.

 

Sincerely,
Internal Struggle

Dear Internal Struggle,

Christians constantly struggle with forgiving themselves for sins even after God has already forgiven them (1 Jn 1:9).  Godly people are known for their sense of integrity and personal responsibility.  Like David, christians accept the blame for their sins and don’t shirk from taking the blame (2 Sam 12:13).  This can be a double-edged sword though.  It is a positive thing when we honestly examine ourselves and see our faults without excuse (1 Cor 11:27-31).  But there is a negative side to personal responsibility… “hyper-guilt”.

When christians carry guilt for their sins long after God has forgiven them, they inhibit themselves from rejoicing.  Christians should rejoice that they are saved from their sins (Php 4:4).  It is hard for us to comprehend, but when God forgives us, He no longer remembers our sins (Heb 8:12).  Let go of your guilt, not because you weren’t wrong, but because it is to the glory of God that you let go and rejoice (1 Jn 2:12).  When we rejoice and accept God’s forgiveness and the comfort it brings, we bring glory to His name and honor Him for the gift that He has given us.