If your life is going well....

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deliveredarling -> If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 8:11:49 AM)
I heard a pastor say that if your life is going too well you need to check your heart. I had some thoughts on this and would like to hear what others have to say about this. My life is/has been going very well for many years now. I wonder if after 20 years of self inflicted pain and suffering, the turn to Him and obedience, has made the difference in the shift? Meaning, does obedience and the growth of faith change our perspective towards the trials and tribulations we face? What once would have overwhelmed me, now is easier to handle with the reliance upon God. What do you think about this and has it worked this way for you or not?

conrack50 -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 8:34:25 AM)
Re: Meaning, does obedience and the growth of faith change our perspective towards the trials and tribulations we face? YES! I bungled it up and now I'm coming slowly out of it with God's help because I asked Him. IMHO... I enjoy peace every day now even tho the creditors call 4-5 times a day. I know that God's grace is sufficient for me.I'm not sure of the scripture and I know someone will put it up in this discussion. I have given it all over to God so he can use me for his glory. I do remember Phil 4:19... My God can supply all your needs according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. In that I have placed all my trust. There's at least once a day I get to share with someone about how wonderful it is to have God in my life. I relish in it now, the blessing is God, not richness or material things. He comes thru with whatever we need daily, whether it be food, or other things. It took me a long time to let go of it all because I was taught wrong at childhood about the word rich. I've let so called friends go because they don't believe as I do, I've given it all up and glad for it. If I fall, God's there to pick me up and dust me off. To God be all the honor, praise & glory, Amen Connie Lou

mvic -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 9:43:53 AM)
If you really trust in God and know deep in your heart that He is there looking after you, and saving you from many ills several times a day without your knowledge; that's when you can face all trials and tribulations without any doubts or fears. When I'm in a corner in my life I think back to the many times in the past when He has been there for me and how He has helped me through it; that's when I know for sure that He will help me yet again.

Little_1 -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 10:02:16 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: deliveredarling I heard a pastor say that if your life is going too well you need to check your heart. "I know the plans I have for you," saith the Lord; "plans to prosper you and not to harm you and to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah). This verse itself kind of blows this pastor's one-sided theory out the window! However, you can also have the opposite end of the scale and like in the case of Jonah who was very definately NOT obeying God's will and whose heart was not right with God! God sent a storm into Jonah's life to get him to turn around and obey His direction and will. If life is going smoothly - it may well mean that God has graciously blessed you with such? I tend to thank God for when life is going smoothly but equally, I want to be able to thank and bless Him for when it is not. Neither a life which is going smoothly nor one which is in a 'storm' (e.g. difficulties, financial loss, etc) are necessarily an indication that your heart is not right with God however - just remember Job who was a righteous man and look what trials he went through!

daisies4u -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 10:15:00 AM)
I have heard this from a pastor as well, and while I don't neccisarily agree with it, I understand where he is coming from. The context in which I heard it was temptation. That satan in constantly trying to bring Christians down and if you don't have temptations in your life, then you need to question why not. That is.....things seem to be ok and you are not struggling with something then maybe satan already has you. I struggled with this for a while when I heard it. But then I finally realized that it is a matter of perspective. Everyone has things in their life that they struggle with. But how we deal with them plays a big part in it. We can choose to struggle daily, or we can give it over to the Lord and go on about the His business. I hope maybe this pastor just didn't complete his thoughts.

daisies4u -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 10:20:19 AM)
quote: I know the plans I have for you," saith the Lord; "plans to prosper you and not to harm you and to give you a future and a hope." This is my favorite verse of the bible. But I think we take it out of context sometimes. There are so many people in the Bible that struggled with things, Job, Jonah, Paul, the list could go on and on. Sometimes Christians go through tough times. This verse is a great one to write on your heart, but we also need to realize that sometimes we have to go through painful times in order to get to the "future" and to get to the "hope" part of this verse. The first part is the driving part. God knows the plans He has for us and He will be there throughout the "getting there" part.

Little_1 -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 10:28:47 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: daisies4u quote: I know the plans I have for you," saith the Lord; "plans to prosper you and not to harm you and to give you a future and a hope." This is my favorite verse of the bible. But I think we take it out of context sometimes. There are so many people in the Bible that struggled with things, Job, Jonah, Paul, the list could go on and on. Sometimes Christians go through tough times. This verse is a great one to write on your heart, but we also need to realize that sometimes we have to go through painful times in order to get to the "future" and to get to the "hope" part of this verse. The first part is the driving part. God knows the plans He has for us and He will be there throughout the "getting there" part. I shared this verse because it was one I was thinking about this afternoon. This is a verse which the Lord seemed to burn in my mind one day whilst walking home from work. A few months later I was facing a cancer scare and had to have major surgery to remove my left ovary. Then a few years later, my husband was involved in an accident in which a young person died and we are in a place where we are trusting the Lord to make our way clear because our future is so uncertain (at least from a human perspective although not from a spritual one). I do believe that God can and does prosper His children in the midst of lifes storms. For me prosperity in this verse means peace, joy, love, contentment, and such which is of far more value than what the 'world' seems to regard as prosperity. Our lives are secure in Him - He is our future and He is our hope and I praise Him for such a beautiful promise. As you have so beautifully written daisies4u- "God knows the plans He has for us and He will be there throughout the "getting there" part. Thank you - I am going to write this in my Bible alongside this verse.

Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 11:24:48 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: deliveredarling I heard a pastor say that if your life is going too well you need to check your heart. . . . My life is/has been going very well for many years now. I wonder if after 20 years of self inflicted pain and suffering, the turn to Him and obedience, has made the difference in the shift? Meaning, does obedience and the growth of faith change our perspective towards the trials and tribulations we face? What once would have overwhelmed me, now is easier to handle with the reliance upon God. . . . I would disagree with that pastor and agree with you. Having a good life is not an indicator of being spiritually deficit. I told my granddaughter something this past Sunday that she didn't know: that I was very, very depressed for my first 42 years of life. She had no idea whatsoever that I had ever been depressed. But my first 42 years were difficult, even in the good times, and I did have good times during that period. But the depression always kept me from understanding how good the good times really were. So I have put in my time -- I have already had my "hell on earth"; this is my time. Am I happy? You bet. When the trials come, sure, they are difficult; sure, they hurt. But at this point in life, there is a G-d-given resiliency that helps us rise above it, if we grab hold of it. It's not as though my life is the stuff of fairytales, of success stories. First and foremost, my precious daughter is going through cancer. This is not easy for any of us. And with regard to the rest of life, well, I am just grateful for all with which G-d has blessed me. And I think that is the point. Can it be that some people simply concentrate on the negatives and interpret their actions and their attitudes as holiness? Or are we who concentrate on the gifts the ones who are just too head-in-the-clouds, goody two-shoes, Pollyannaish, or Alfred E. Newman to see the truth?

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 11:49:42 AM)
quote: The context in which I heard it was temptation. That satan in constantly trying to bring Christians down and if you don't have temptations in your life, then you need to question why not. That is.....things seem to be ok and you are not struggling with something then maybe satan already has you. This was stated under the same context, which is why it caused me to begin thinking about it. I don't agree that it is always the case. As I stated in the op, I think we adjust our perspectives to one of reliance upon God to see us through the difficulties, not necessarily that Satan already has us bound. Maybe his reference was intended to mean a complacent heart needs to be questioned?

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 11:59:07 AM)
I think he also may have meant that when life is good and we are being obedient, the enemy will come in and nip at our heals. I think we all have experienced that and will continue to experience that as long as we serve the Lord here on earth. Wouldn't that be why Paul told us to take great joy in our trials (paraphrased). Doesn't the joy come from saying "Thank you Lord that I can give this to you and trust that your will be done and KNOW that we are safe, secure and in your hands?". I take great comfort in letting God handles the mishaps of this life. It's comforting to know that if I hand it over, I can rest in Him. I will cherish the day that I can do that with everything. I'm not there yet, but getting better at letting go a little at a time. You've all had great insights into this statement. Thank you for sharing them with me.[:)]

Liveloved -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 12:06:57 PM)
quote: I heard a pastor say that if your life is going too well you need to check your heart. I had some thoughts on this and would like to hear what others have to say about this. My life is/has been going very well for many years now. I wonder if after 20 years of self inflicted pain and suffering, the turn to Him and obedience, has made the difference in the shift? Meaning, does obedience and the growth of faith change our perspective towards the trials and tribulations we face? What once would have overwhelmed me, now is easier to handle with the reliance upon God. What do you think about this and has it worked this way for you or not? Some thoughts: I would think he is talking about a lack of awareness of sin since he is referring to the heart. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we don't become better and better but truly learn just how depraved we are and how much Jesus has done for us. He shows us ourselves, all the things we never even thought of as sinful. I've read from some of the greats of the faith that the longer we walk with Jesus the greater the sinner we become---and it is the recognition of sin that He makes us aware of. Walking in the light with Him, day in and day out, reveals things that we never knew nor were ready to know were sinful. Certainly our reliance on Him during trials and tribulations and just daily living should be increasing and in that sense, our life should go well. We should have learned from prior trials that He is faithful and sufficient for our every need---because He is! Anyway, that's what your post made me think of! LL

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 3:55:42 PM)
quote: I've read from some of the greats of the faith that the longer we walk with Jesus the greater the sinner we become---and it is the recognition of sin that He makes us aware of. Walking in the light with Him, day in and day out, reveals things that we never knew nor were ready to know were sinful. Excellent point LL! Your thought make me think: maybe the more we recognize our sinfulness, the more willing we become to give those sins up. (the process of sanctification) I don't know that we don't become better. I believe we do become better people. Through the love and discipline of the Lord we become better mothers, teachers, friends, ect. If He is perfecting us, how can we not become better?

Liveloved -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 6:40:44 PM)
This takes me back to the Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote I posted in another thread. The cross as God's truth over us is the only thing that makes us truthful. If we think of the cross as light, we can better understand. The light reveals. You cannot hide in the light. But John's gospel tells us that men love darkness because their deeds are evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3:20-21 So as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, spending more time in intimate fellowship with Him, listening, learning, and loving rather than talking, we spend more time under the cross, in the light, and more sin is revealed. And, yes, He knows we're willing because we've given up the talk and sit quietly waiting. We become truthful because we no longer have anything to hide. We are known, exposed, and have nothing to hide. And we are LOVED. We know we are loved. And from that place of love, we are secure. That love is not in jeopardy. It is a forever eternal love that no man can mess with---even and especially me! I'll give more thought to your comments re: better and get back to you on that.[:)] LL

Focusing -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 9:59:06 PM)
Does obedience and the growth of faith change our perspective towards the trials and tribulations we face? I think so. What once would have overwhelmed me, now is easier to handle with the reliance upon God. Me too. I used to fight the trials / struggles / lessons I was going through. As my walk progresses, though, and I find myself in a valley, I turn to God more quickly and ask Him for guidance.

Walker311 -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/22/2008 11:41:55 PM)
God set up certain principles that can be applied in many areas of life. I work my muscles and I grow strong. I sit on my butt and do nothing and I get fat and muscles atrophy and arteries clog. Life does not go well or go bad for everyone by accident. There are many things that we can control if we put forth enough effort. If everything is always hunkydory, what do we learn. The cliche... no pain no gain is a fact. There are folks who have it all but could not or would not say everything is going well. My ex-boss lives and breathes work... his first love. However, I see so much that he misses because of the amount of time that he gives to work. I don't want to miss what God has for me in this life and I am positive that it is not working myself to death. My life is ok but I would much rather go on to heaven. There is nothing wrong with desiring to be in His presence but We still have much work to do on me.

Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 12:03:21 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Walker311 Life does not go well or go bad for everyone by accident. There are many things that we can control if we put forth enough effort. Indeed. I used to live next door to a young couple who could not figure out why everything they did went wrong, but it was the simple matter of their choices. I am not sure why some people, believers and nonbelievers, can figure that out and why some cannot, but much does depend upon what we choose to do Certainly, our lives are also marked by unpredictables and outside forces, but the L-rd remains in final control. One thing, though, that confuses me has come up before on this forum: that is the idea of the difference between some people's definitions of happiness and joy, when it comes to this subject. Could someone take the time to help me understand what Christians intend by the two being different? I cannot see a difference, personally, but some make a big deal over the difference -- and I don't intend that in a derogatory manner. joy

Liveloved -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 5:33:14 AM)
quote: One thing, though, that confuses me has come up before on this forum: that is the idea of the difference between some people's definitions of happiness and joy, when it comes to this subject. Could someone take the time to help me understand what Christians intend by the two being different? I cannot see a difference, personally, but some make a big deal over the difference -- and I don't intend that in a derogatory manner. And there is a difference regarding the meaning of happiness as well. So that makes it even more confusing.[sm=smile-l.gif] If your meaning of happiness is blessedness, then happiness and joy are a settled state of being and not affected by momentary circumstances. So in the midst of sorrow over a death, you mourn and grieve. But the joy and blessedness of being the Lord's and in His trust and care has not changed. Others see happiness as being more circumstantial and emotion based. And joy remains that deepdown settle state of being, joyful because you know you are loved, secure and your purpose is Christ. In that case, they can be very different. Those are my understandings of the differences. I tend to define happiness as blessedness so I'm with you and see it in harmony with joy.[:)] LL

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 7:02:52 AM)
quote: If everything is always hunkydory, what do we learn. The cliche... no pain no gain is a fact. I agree. To me this is the refining process. quote: I am not sure why some people, believers and nonbelievers, can figure that out and why some cannot, but much does depend upon what we choose to do Choice has much to do with it. We choose obedience or we choose the world. When we choose the world, it ends up hurting us. The lesson would be to choose Him in a particular circumstance. When it hurts, He's teaching us. That lesson will keep coming until we finally learn it. quote: quote: One thing, though, that confuses me has come up before on this forum: that is the idea of the difference between some people's definitions of happiness and joy, when it comes to this subject. Could someone take the time to help me understand what Christians intend by the two being different? I cannot see a difference, personally, but some make a big deal over the difference -- and I don't intend that in a derogatory manner. And there is a difference regarding the meaning of happiness as well. So that makes it even more confusing. If your meaning of happiness is blessedness, then happiness and joy are a settled state of being and not affected by momentary circumstances. So in the midst of sorrow over a death, you mourn and grieve. But the joy and blessedness of being the Lord's and in His trust and care has not changed. Others see happiness as being more circumstantial and emotion based. And joy remains that deepdown settle state of being, joyful because you know you are loved, secure and your purpose is Christ. In that case, they can be very different. Those are my understandings of the differences. I tend to define happiness as blessedness so I'm with you and see it in harmony with joy. LL LL, gave an excellent answer. I wasn't sure what the difference was either. other than happiness being that high pitched, squealy kind of giddyness, that people sometimes get as am emotional reaction. (ex. my daughter being happy over an answer being yes to one of her requests[:D] )

URForgiven -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 10:40:00 AM)
Happiness is based on happenings. Where as joy is not. One can have joy in the midst of the most cruel and inhuman of circumstances. Happiness is simply an unrealistic option for the vast majority of people on this planet. Joy is their only hope, and their only hope for joy is Jesus. quote: ...if your life is going too well you need to check your heart. Maybe, maybe not. We learn in the valley's for sure, but I do not believe we need to dwell there forever. If the lessons are learned, we do get to journey to the mountaintop and enjoy the view at least occasionally, don't you think? There is nothing more sad than a person who has had no real difficulties in life. There is no depth, no focus on anything but themselves, they are but a human puddle of ooze. It seems as though adversity is the only way for true character to be formed in us. Knowing this we can have joy, and truly say, "thank you God", not for, but in whatever our circumstances are. Peace

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 10:43:28 AM)
quote: Maybe, maybe not. We learn in the valley's for sure, but I do not believe we need to dwell there forever. If the lessons are learned, we do get to journey to the mountaintop and enjoy the view at least occasionally, don't you think? There is nothing more sad than a person who has had no real difficulties in life. There is no depth, no focus on anything but themselves, they are but a human puddle of ooze. It seems as though adversity is the only way for true character to be formed in us. Knowing this we can have joy, and truly say, "thank you God", not for, but in whatever our circumstances are. Nicely put! Thank you!

Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 10:49:46 AM)
Okay. Thank you for your answers regarding the difference between joy and happiness for some. I appreciate them. After I had written that question here, I asked my husband what he thought, and his answer was completely different. As I read your answers, I realized that the answers to the question may be more of a personal definition or a organizational-definition, not one based upon the Bible or the dictionary, similar to other words that mean different things in different religious understandings. I tried to remember what was so isolating about the answers given in the old church I had gone to, and it was the gnosticism, isolationism, and elitism that came through with their answers -- something I have not detected in my husband's answers nor yours. Maybe I should add that for me, I am consistantly happy. Happiness is not something that is fleeting nor dependant upon the circumstances. The circumstances occur, but they do not destroy my happiness. Fear and dread occurs (as in my daughter's illness), but the settled happiness in the L-rd continues, and my trust in Him goes on. Joy is just not a word that is consistantly in my vocabulary, while happiness is.

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 10:56:38 AM)
From a biblical perspective: Happiness is not used in the NKJV From the NASB-4 times Strong's: Other Links The Blue Letter Bible Institute Printed from the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Results for samach (Strong's H8055) Hebrew for H8055 שמח Transliteration samach Pronunciation s�makh' (Key) Part of Speech verb Root Word (Etymology) a primitive root TWOT Reference 2268 Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to rejoice, be glad a) (Qal) 1) to rejoice 2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 3) to rejoice (religiously) b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad Joy: The Blue Letter Bible Institute Printed from the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Results for simchah (Strong's H8057) Hebrew for H8057 שמחה Transliteration simchah Pronunciation sim�kh�' (Key) Part of Speech feminine noun Root Word (Etymology) from H8056 TWOT Reference 2268b Outline of Biblical Usage 1) joy, mirth, gladness a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure b) joy (of God) c) glad result, happy issue Maybe that will help you. For further research you can go here: http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 11:04:50 AM)
Sorry, my intention was not to derail your thread. I hope I didn't. Yeah, I know what the Bible says, but it always seemed that what people were saying and teaching was different. Your definitions from your source seem to agree with that; I appreciate them. Thanks! [:)]

deliveredarling -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 11:10:54 AM)
I wish the formatting was better, that makes a super long post and it's hard to read! You didn't derail the thread, all kinds of side issues can come up in these threads. Apparently, I do it often, myself! Just hope you got your answer!

Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: If your life is going well.... (7/23/2008 11:14:07 AM)
[:D] It was fine! It got the point across.

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