Some of us look at afflictions and infirmities as the refiner’s fire.
There are lessons learned through affliction which I cannot imagine can be learned any other way.
The problem with the name it and claim it theology that everyone should be prosperous and healthy, simply does not fit with us learning to depend on God for everything.
Pentecostals for the most part see affliction as something to be delivered from, not something to overcome. Expecting health and wealth as our *right* is nothing more than entitlement mentality which has crept into and corrupted the church, the thinking being that since we are God’s children, we have the RIGHT to claim (demand) deliverance from anything unpleasant or uncomfortable.
Coming face to face with my own mortality when it really sank in to me what I was facing without divine intervention as this condition progressed and worsened was an experience almost as life changing as my salvation.
It had a way of resetting my priorities and stripping away the hold the world has on my heart and soul, as all the bobbles and trinkets which Satan dangles in front of us to distract us from our walk with God are shown to be the meaningless junk they are.
I see this entire journey with this condition bringing me to a place of being filled with the Spirit that was so life changing that I’d rather live with this condition if it helps keep me this focused on God than without it and drift from Him. There have actually been times where in this new walk with God and closeness of the Spirit that I don’t care if I ever get healed from this as long as I can remain in this level of fellowship with God.
I thought this condition was very limiting and I resented not being able to do stuff, but this past summer, I drove cross country with my daughter and overcame that. It would not beat me and hold me hostage because I am free in Christ. It will NOT stop me from living my life.
In this world we will have tribulation but Jesus has overcome the world. And I can overcome in the midst of affliction which I could not do if I were delivered from it.
I would still like to be healed from it but no longer petulantly demand it and will continue to let His grace be sufficient so that He is glorified by being strong in my weakness.
I see this entire journey with this condition bringing me to a place of being filled with the Spirit that was so life changing that I’d rather live with this condition if it helps keep me this focused on God than without it and drift from Him. There have actually been times where in this new walk with God and closeness of the Spirit that I don’t care if I ever get healed from this as long as I can remain in this level of fellowship with God.
PRAISE THE LORD! YEA.
That's because Jesus did say we would have trials and tribulations...you are right to say the expectations of how our life should be lived by the worlds standards is not how God said it would be for those of the faith.....
Additionally some things simply cannot be 'understood' without going through them. Also, that goes for those who stand with people going thru things...we do learn and understand how limited we are in helping another and so draw on God for Him to sustain us and be what we need to be for those afflicted.
Most of all we realize the joy of relying on God, we certainly recognize there are things which are impossible to endure apart from Him.....and often see His hand and heart reach to us then.
Either now, tomorrow or then, all who know Christ will come thru either in this world or the next...so his Promises are true just as He has said.
To burn up what? Something not from God? Wrong thinking? Unbelief? What's the fire burning up? We are all burning up something in our lives.
There are lessons learned through affliction which I cannot imagine can be learned any other way.
Yes, that God is right and man is wrong.
The problem with the name it and claim it theology that everyone should be prosperous and healthy, simply does not fit with us learning to depend on God for everything.
If that it their theology - what part do you think they aren't leaning on God for? If they got prosperity - where would it come from? If they regained health, Who did that come from?
Perhaps, if you drop the slur 'name it/claim it' and put in Truth - Read It and Believe It - it might be of value.
Pentecostals for the most part see affliction as something to be delivered from, not something to overcome.
I thought you said they weren't depending on God? WHO delivers someone from afflictions? Are they not overcoming their affliction in believing HE will deliver them from it?
Expecting health and wealth as our *right* is nothing more than entitlement mentality which has crept into and corrupted the church, the thinking being that since we are God’s children, we have the RIGHT to claim (demand) deliverance from anything unpleasant or uncomfortable.
Demand it? Is that the way you see it? Do children of kings DEMAND anything or is it their *right* as children of the king?
and just receive it with thanks KNOWING who they are?
because I am free in Christ. It will NOT stop me from living my life.
And that's a very good thing. You didn't give in or up. I say that's the attitude of one that says it may not look like I can do it but I don't have to 'see' that I can do it first, to believe I CAN DO IT. You did it despite any pre conceive obstacle that's in the natural. And, IIRC, it was smooth sailing to and from.
Deuteronomy 28:3-14 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
It's amazing the things we do for our children while some think God does less for HIS.