Difference Christians and masochists?

When you're going through problems, obstacles, things going the opposite of the way you want them to, mistreatment from people taking advantage of you for selfish reasons, rude people, etc., and it's going on for years and even getting worse, it's kind of hard to hear, you should go out and celebrate, and tell everyone how happy you are that this is happening. To me, it seems like the person who's telling you this is either insensitive, minimizing what you're going through, or even a sadist who wants you to suffer!! Yet this seems to be a common thought amongst Christians, when you bring up a problem that goes on, they tell you to be "happy about it," be "grateful" God is putting you through trials. One problem, though--I'm not a masochist. If the dentist tells me he needs to extract 3 teeth, {in the same visit} they're difficult pulls, and he's out of novocaine, are you telling me I should go out and tell everyone how happy I am because of it? Maybe throw a party to celebrate. If I just saved some money from unexpected expenses, I go to check something with the car, and they tell me it needs a $1,000 part, I should express joy over this? Now look at masochists--THEY also think bad experiences are wonderful, and "enjoy" suffering. So do you see where Christians rejoicing over negative circumstances and masochists are alike? What is the difference, really? Sometimes you should just admit that a situation is not so great, instead of "whitewashing" it.

 

[Brother James]

The point is, you would think those experiences are wonderful, but I would admit what they are.

No I would not, by following Jesus, I would only count an experience as joy ### and then I wouldn't think about it as in following Christ's instruction to take no thought for my life, unless the experience might lead someone to Christ or bless someone in Christ.

Something being joyful and something being wonderful are 2 different things ###. We either follow Jesus or we don't. Did Jesus say count anything as wonderful ###? Did Jesus ever instruct us to throw a party for things that torment us and to celebrate them? No He did not.

You mainly suffer for dwelling on things when you can let them go and stop thinking about them.

Why do you think you need to teach others that following Christ's Instructions is masochism? Do you not think you are suffering for that? Why do you need to keep mentioning the same things over and over again? Why do you need to use this site to vent? Does it do you any good?

 

[Martha Buthelezi]

A real difference between a real Christian is this. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. A masochist will not do this. He or she will be full of hate, anger, rage and even his own life will be full of depression and fear. We must pray for them. Jesus can take away all negative thoughts and desires from their heart. Save them o Lord we pray. Amen

We agree in prayer for their deliverance.