Advice/Prayers Needed

[joanne23]

This is going to be a long one so thank you in advance to anyone who reads it. I have posted on here before asking for prayers and you all have been so generous with your prayers, thoughts and kind words. I've been so lost and confused lately. I am 27 years old and a "new" christian. My family wasn't very religious when I was growing up and I haven't found a church that I feel comfortable at yet. I don't have a lot of friends and those that I do have are not Christian. I don't have anyone to ask for prayers or advice so I thought I would come here.

I am going through a very tough time right now. I have a medical condition that I have been dealing with for over 2 years now that has prevented me from working. About two years before that I had come into some money which, in addition to supporting me for the last 2 years that I haven't been working, I was young and foolish and spent money on things that were not necessary. In addition I made some bad investments and had money stolen as well. I knew the money wasn't going to last forever but I kept thinking that something would "happen" before it ran out- I would get a job, start a business, etc. etc. Everything got sidetracked when I got sick.

Fast forward to the present- the money is out. I don't know what to do. The bills are piling up. I don't know anyone who could afford to help me and I don't want to tell my family and cause them so much worry. I've been praying and praying for an answer. Last month my brother paid me back some money that he owed me and I was able to make it through. I thought that my prayers were being answered. And they were I am so thankful for it. As the beginning of the month nears and new bills are due I have no idea what to do. My health insurance which I really need right now is due on Friday or else it will be cancelled- I don't know how I will pay it. My house payment is going to be late- if I can make it at all. I'm scared for my animals that I won't be able to feed them or have anywhere to take them if I can't make my house payment. I rescued each one of them and promised to give them a forever home which I don't think I can provide any more and it's breaking my heart.

Everyday I have thoughts about death. I wouldn't say I'm suicidal- I would never go that far, but I find myself wishing everyday that I would just go to sleep and not wake up. I just don't know what to do anymore or who to turn to for help. I feel like maybe God is punishing me for not doing good with the opportunity that He provided me a few years ago when I was financially blessed. I keep praying for help and yet I feel like I am not worthy of it. Why would God help me when there are so many others dealing with the same things as me? I have faith and I keep telling myself that God won't let anything bad happen and then I drive past another foreclosure sign in my neighborhood and think "why did He let it happen to them? What if I'm next?" I wonder if I am even praying "right" is there a right way or a wrong way to pray? I just don't know what to do. I don't know how to help myself out of this situation. I need the Lord to help me and I wonder why He's not or when He will and why isn't it happening NOW- and then I feel guilty for questioning Him or feel as though maybe he's not helping me because I do not deserve it. I just want another chance.

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from anyone. I would certainly appreciate prayers as well. Please pray for me. Please pray for my health and my financial situation. Please pray that things start looking up for me right away and that I can get my insurance paid by Friday as well as my other bills. Pray that I can keep my home and take care of my pets. Pray for that second chance. I pray for forgiveness for all of my sins. Thank you so much for reading this.

 

[CJOV]

Dear Lord, my heart aches for Joanne as I know her desperation in wishing for an answer. Please show her that we need to believe and trust in you, that we do not need a sign, we need faith. I too am learning this and pray for both of us to hand our troubles to you and know that you will take care of them and that we will be protected and comforted by your hands and your love. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

[Mumcy]

Dear Joanne

Just read Psalm 121 and meditate on it.

Sister Doris

NB i will come back to you

 

[Jennie]

My heart hurts for you. We have all been in your situation at one point in our lives. I know and understand the financial issues and the doubt you feel when it seems like God has "left the building" so to speak. In many ways, I am there in that situation now. I have 4 children, my husband left, I have no job and my funds are depleted. BUT....I know God is there for me just as I know He is there for you. He is just working behind the scenes at the moment.

Below is an e-mail I received yesterday along with a prayer. There is no wrong way to pray in my opinion, but if you want a little guidance, this may inspire you. (You can subscribe to Prime Time With God to receive these daily e-mails....its free! :arms

Today's Prayer

Dear God, I have felt emotional pain and I have experienced physical pain. I have seen the affects of all kinds of pain in other people's lives. It is not pretty. I hope and pray that I will always be able to reach out to others, think of them, think of good things, think of you, rather than focus on my own pain. When I am able to reach out and help someone else, my spirit is filled with joy, happiness, and satisfaction. It takes my mind off my own pain and problems, and directs it to a better perspective. Please minister through me to ease the pain of my family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church leaders, whoever needs a special touch. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Place of Nothingness

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

05-25-2009

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) .

Do you find yourself in a place of nothingness? There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of isolation and waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.

During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is a place of nothingness designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something" while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this place when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.

Many people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot see what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.

Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life.

 

[joanne23]

Thank you. I cry as I read your responses. I will continue to pray and be faithful in the Lord.

 

[silentangel]

Joanne - It is so easy to give advice but we need to be careful. God has a plan for you, you can be sure of that. He knows your heart, mind and spirit. He made you in your mother's womb. He gave you all the genetic traits that you possess. He loves you madly and he feels your pain. Do not think you did something to displease him causing this calamity to fall on you. He is a patient and long-suffering God. He holds no malice on his sheep. You just need to believe. Never doubt, that allows the forces of darkness to get a foothold into your thinking. You are a child of God and he will lead you through this valley and bring you victorious to the other side. It's his promise.

Lord Jesus, blessed redeemer and savior, we bow at the foot of the cross. I stand with Joanne and lift her up. I pray your guiding hand upon her situation. She needs financial help so she won't loose insurance that is vital to her life. She needs transportation, food to meet her physical needs and clothing to cover her. Lord, we know you will provide this help in a surprizing way. Help Joanne to not loose faith but that through this time of testing, her faith will grow leaps and bounds. I ask for your mercy. Pour out your peace and love. Cover your child with your blood and help show her the way out of this situation. She is seeking you. I know she will find what she is looking for because you are the God of more than enough to meet her needs. We thank you and praise you. We look expectantly to see what doors you will open and what people you will use to cross her path and help her. Thank you so much, Lord. I love you. Amen

 

[missnan67]

Joanne my heart aches for you dearly i kinda went through the same thing when i was young in the.lord. The only friend i had was my aunt and thats because she was the only christain friend i had at the time i didnt under stand how god could let me down is what i thought but you know some times we have to walk by faith alone and you probably dont under stand that but some day you will when you get through this and you look back you will probably say where was my faith.. Maybe gods testing you to see how much faith you have... Its hard and im sure you want to give up but please dont let the devil win... Put your whole ambor gear on get in to the word talk to jesus... Call the 700 club they will pray for you 24 hours a day they have help me so much...1-800-759-0700. They have so much love for people.. Here is a little saying for you ....

Touch the healing hand of jesus let him make you whole

touch the healing hand of jesus for this he told you so

if any two should agree up on as touching it shall be

so touch the healing hand of jesus let him set you free

o touch the healing hand of jesus let him make you whole

touch the healing hand of jesus let your burdens go

then give him all the gorly and praise him the same

for you have been healed in his precious name

 

[SinglemomV]

Lord I lift up Joanne to you Lord. You know what is in her heart Lord, You know her thoughts and her worries Lord, I Pray she Gives them all to you Lord. Lord, Calm her Lord, May she call her church for direction Lord, Let her know You will Provide for her, Lord. Lord, Strengthen her and encourage her Lord, Through You Anything is Possible, May she Fully Trust and Believe you will see her through this Lord, In Jesus Name Amen

P.S. I recently Posted some Videos,One is a video Preaching, about Life is Hard, But God is still Good, and then a Song almost with same title, Life is Hard, But God is Good, They are Beautiful, It may help you my love, if you watched them, They did me. They are in the Video section on this site, God Bless you, and He Will Provide for You, Xo

 

[joanne23]

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I need every one I can get right now.

Things have gotten so much worse just today. I feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin I am so nervous of the thought that so many bills are due. I got a disconnect notice from the electric company- I only have a few days to pay. I have other bills that are late and I don't think that my health insurance payment that I made on Friday went through- I won't be able to verify this for a few days. If that is the case it will be cancelled and they will not re-instate it due to my health conditions. I feel absolutely awful as I told a lie to my mother today. I pray for the Lord's forgiveness.

In addition to everything a childhood friend whose family was like a second to me, told me that her father collapsed the other day and has been in the hospital. My own father has been stricken with such terrible neck pain that he cannot even move his neck to drink out of a cup. He will not be able to work like this and no one knows why its happening. I am beside myself with grief, fear, and uncertainty. I pray that the Lord help me quickly. I'm a mess. I can't go on like this. Please pray that things get better and quickly. Pray that the Lord lead me in the right direcetion. I feel paralized by fear and it's preventing me from taking action. I don't know of any steps I can take to make any thing better right now.

 

[HOPE]

Standing in agreement with these prayers for Joanne