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Are you Struggling to Maintain your Faith in an Unstable World?

“Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.” — Mark 9:24

The conflict between faith and doubt is the great reality of the time in which we live. Never before in human history has so much tragedy been witnessed in such vivid display to so many.  News events are transmitted via cell phones worldwide as they happen — hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, sickness, murder, terrorism, and every imaginable evil. Even more disheartening are news reports filled with the hypocrisy of those who were supposed to be pillars of the community and faithful shepherds of the church—their crimes against the innocent have now been exposed and add an even greater burden to the weak in faith.  At times like these, doubt can plague even the most earnest Christian.

Why does faith falter and how can we Increase our faith to withstand the storms of life?  

To bring stability to our faith, we must first understand the root causes of doubt. There are at least five underlying conditions which undermine faith:

1. a lack of proper Scriptural understanding of prophetic events and the plan of God;
2. an overwhelming personal experience which is very difficult to endure;
3. a sense of helplessness when viewing the broad spectrum of trouble throughout the earth;
4. an underlying physical condition which exhausts our spiritual strength; and
5. repeated exposure to temptations which we permit to constantly plague us.  

To complicate matters, Satan and the fallen angels take advantage of these areas of our weakness, suggesting thoughts which make us question our faith even more. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of this, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

 

13 comments to Are you Struggling to Maintain your Faith in an Unstable World?

  • Lincoln

    What happens when we die? Nicole Sifrit died a few hours ago only a few days alive.
    https://www.bt.dk/udland/lille-mariana-doede-efter-kun-faa-dage-nu-advarer-foraeldrene-andre

    According to us Christians do we go to heaven to meet our Lord Jesus. We don’t know exactly where Heaven is, but we believe it is a good place and Jesus is there. So, when our children dies and we are left back with the pain and hope and faith, we have this belief we build on the Bible.

    I like to quote: 1.corinthians 15:

    1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

    3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

    The Risen Christ, Our Hope

    A Glorious Body
    35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

    36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

    39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

    40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

    41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

    42 So also is the resurrection of the dead.

    The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

    44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

    46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

    48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust,

    we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

    Our Final Victory
    50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery:

    We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

    For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

    54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

    Luke 8:

    “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
    53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”
    55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.
    Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
    Quote end.

    Nicole Sifrit
    for 22 hours ago.
    ♡ Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41 am this morning in her daddy’s arms and her mommy right beside her. She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord.

    Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this. In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana’s Story we save numerous newborns life. R.I.P. sweet angel ♡
    Amen.

    From an assembly of Jesus; “Draw me”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr6M5P04c20

    • ZionsHerald

      Lincoln,

      If Christians go to heaven when they die, then why are there Scriptures that state that when Jesus returns to judge he will then take them to heaven?

      One example is John 14:3 (NIV). “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

      • Lincoln

        Dear ZionsHerald,

        To answer both you comments to me today here. As you say: why am I here? (“why are you here”?) This time to answer your question to me.

        I will quote you:

        Lincoln,
        If Christians go to heaven when they die, then why are there Scriptures that state that when Jesus returns to judge he will then take them to heaven?
        One example is John 14:3 (NIV). “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
        quote end.

        My comment:

        1) I understand you do not believe Jesus are returning to this planet, but his parousia has happened (invisible):Charles Taze Russell:

        ”1897 “Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874,” (Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 4, p. 621)”

        But, I am not here to say you are wrong, but think about it. I would like to mention Hebrew 1: 6;

        “And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” 
        ___________________________________________________

        So, why; ”then why are there Scriptures that state that when Jesus returns to judge he will then take them to heaven ..”

        1.Corinthians 15:

        51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
        Quote end.

        So ZionsHerald, I hope I have given a hopeful answer to your question to me.

        • zionsherald

          Lincoln,

          I really like your differences of opinions than my own and would like to discuss these with you, but instead of answering my question about your belief on the matter you replied with a false accusation and attack, and a change of subject (again).

          Your reply is confusing and wrought with misunderstanding and false accusations. I’m not sure how you came to the conclusion you have regarding my beliefs as I have not stated any on this subject as such. It would be best to be careful jumping to conclusions about what others believe without asking them.

          If you are going to reply like this, why would anyone want to discuss anything with you? Are we simply wasting our time?

          The question was directed towards YOUR belief on the subject, not my own.

          Let me try again.

          Is it your belief that Christians go directly to heaven when they die?

          Or are Christians in a ‘holding place’ until Jesus returns for his saints for the marriage supper?

        • Chuck

          Dear Lincoln,
          This site is for the aid and comfort of those who have been “hurt” by the JW organization. So they know they are not alone. ziondhearld’s question at to why you are here is an honest question. You left the organization and have moved on in your life. You seem to be happy. Thus the question. We are not on here to argue doctrines. I have responded to your posts (hopefully as politely as I can,) because I could see some animosity coming out through different conversations. I would rather hear your beliefs and leave it at that. I would never try to change your mind (that is up to you.) You will never change mine. Just a healthy conversation is all I ask. But, not an endless back and forth.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Lincoln,

          We have been very patient with you and given you total freedom to speak your mind. Honestly, I get the impression that your sole purpose is to waste our time. This website is about honest and respectful dialogue, even when we disagree.

          Consider this a warning. If you are not interested in honest and sincere dialogue, we will ban you from our website.

          • Lincoln

            Dear Peter,

            Thanks you for your warning. I will respond to it your way. Thank you for the time you have given me here and I wish you all the best.

            Before I go I will give you this one.

            To be true, they don’t understand everything which you point out to me here and neither JW. But the name Jesus makes the difference.

            Please read the comments from the readers and x-muslims.

            I wish you all the best and God Bless you.

  • Lincoln

    Dear Br. Innocent,

    It is now 5 years ago and I was not here at that time, but how are things with you now? I hope too you are well and has got good feelings back within you heart. When we loose the ones we love it leaves us behind and many times we don’t know what to do. Many times, time helps us. So, how are you today?

    I am not sure what I could tell you today, but if you like you could write back and try to tell me how God has comforted you since then.

    As fellow humans and brothers and sisters we do not always show love towards each other, unfortunately – very strange, but that is not from God. Many times I have experienced this because of some differences in what we believe, but we should not let such things part us.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=845hdo6RALM

  • Isaac

    bro innocent i do feel your grief but you should also know that jehovah has provide a means for all those who are dead which include your wife and other and so you should not allow those who are hypocrate to decieve us form our christain faith

  • Christopher. K

    Dear Brother Innocent,
    Your wife’s passing is a result of sin like all of our passing

  • Hankanimana Innocent

    Dear Brothers and Sisters,

    Have my christian greetings!

    There was a period of time
    since I met a big challenge in my journey towards the Kingdom of God-To loose my wife Flora has been a test of faithfulness(Rom.8:35-39).
    I thank God through Jesus Christ for His support while my friends were laughing at me or did not care .
    As Job I was expecting a comfort from my brothers and sisters but few of them expressed their condolences to me despite the noble initiative into the great harvest,I and late Sister Flora Mukabera have done(Job19:12-19).
    We did distribute many books of God’s Plan of Ages and CDs which became source of hatred by our former brothers JWs who were looking it as if we are competing with them( Psalms55:20-21,John16:2-3))!!!
    I do not regret of my calling(Job19:25) but let us Agape be shown in action not in words only(James1:27)!!!

    I would like to make an appeal to Brothers and Sisters to come to my help(emotional,physical,spiritual assistance ).
    Above all,pray for me to get a helper!!.

    • Jacqueline

      Hi Br. Innocent I will alert the brothers to your plight. This is weekend here and some don’t look at the site. I am so sorry to hear about yout dear wife, We didn’t know. Don’t let anyone tell you it is because of God that you are suffering. You have a right to worship as you please and some witnesses are upset when you pass out the Divine Plan booklets. It happened to me, they told the circuit overseer to do something to make me stop. But I am not a witness so he couldn’t come to me just as the Pope can’t come and tell a Baptist what to do. You are suffering for telling about Jesus. Your wife’s passing is a result of sin like all of our passing. I know you know this but I am just so sorry and don’t want you to feel so sad or blame your work. How horrid for someone to laugh at you but it is typical of some of our JW brothers. I have seen some speak bad if a child or relative died or some other misfortune befell one that has left the organization. I will pray for you and now I will go call Joe Emerson and some of the others to let them know. Take Care others will come talk to you. In him that loves you.

    • Ken

      Brother Innocent, so sorry to hear about this, I just said a prayer to Jehovah for you…..keep the faith never give up, never surrender!

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