I notice something maybe some of you have noticed, too. Like

[Steven Bobb]

To begin with, God has never promised us an easy life, but rather the exact opposite. The Bible says:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:13-14

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. - John 15:20

The life of a Christian is hard, filled with trials and tests, sorrows and tribulations. But that does not mean that we are without hope. The Bible says:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

There is joy and a peace in serving God, because we know that God will never give us more than we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Both the saved and the unsaved have problems, trials and tests, but the difference is that we know that God is in control, and that no matter what happens, if we keep on believing and trusting in God, one way or another, God will take care of us. The unsaved do not have this comfort.

Someone once said, "If I lose all my money, my health, and my belongings, but still have my faith, I have lost nothing. If I have all my money, my health and my belongings, but have lost my faith, then I truly have lost everything."

There are many reasons for our suffering, which include teaching us valuable lessons, drawing us closer to God, keeping us humble, teaching us compassion for others, etc.

You asked why when you (or others) pray, it seems that God doesn't answer, in fact, it seems like things just get worse. Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. Sometimes God has to break us in order to remake us. Like the potter, God is the potter, and we are the clay. In order for God to make something out of us, He has to chisel away our pride and our sins. The clay doesn't tell the potter how to shape the clay, the clay yields to the potter's hands. In the same way, we must yield to the hands of God as He shapes and remakes us, because we know that He does everything for our own good.

You also asked why God punishes us more than He punishes the unsaved. The Bible says,

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. - Luke 12:47-48

Still, not being a masochist, I would prefer God used an easier way to help us grow. It goes back to me not being a masochist. Only a masochist can actually enjoy obstacles.

 

[kaye hirst]

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. It's important to remember that prayer and faith can be deeply personal experiences, and sometimes the outcomes we hope for may not align with our expectations. It's also possible that the answers to prayers may come in unexpected ways or at different times.

If you're open to it, consider reaching out to a spiritual leader or counselor who can provide support and guidance. They might offer a different perspective or help you explore your feelings further. Additionally, engaging in community support groups or faith-based activities can sometimes provide comfort and a sense of connection.

Remember, you're not alone, and it's okay to seek help when you need it.

 

[Matthew01]

agree with you on this, all my prayer have gone unanswered and things have got worse. something wrong when others get things done

The Lord of the universe isn't under obligation to say "yes" to every prayer. That's a good thing, considering some of the things we request!

But sometimes God says "no" to our most heartfelt requests. I certainly have had this happen, but I learned to get stronger in faith and P.U.S.H (Pray Until Something Happens).

I've discovered three other ways God frequently answers prayer. Believe me, he loves to say "yes!"

1. "Yes, but you'll have to wait."

Immediate answers to prayer: You want them. I want them. But God simply does not always work that way. And to get his best, we must be patient. In some cases, we must wait until the stroke of midnight for his answer to come.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).

2. "Yes, but not what you expected."

Have you ever asked God to use you? If so, expect the unexpected!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Prov. 3:5-6).

3. "Yes, and here's more!"

Ever wonder if the Lord really knows what you want and need?

Australian ### felt God leading him to promote Christian concerts in his homeland where only 5 percent of the people believed in Christ. When too few fans filled seats during one major tour.

However..

Creditors repossessed his home, and the father of six looked for work elsewhere. A top artist offered him a job in Nashville, so the Smallbones sold their furniture and other possessions and purchased tickets to the United States.

A few weeks after they arrived, however, ### was informed that his position was "no longer available." He literally could not get out of bed for several days. When he and his wife explained to their children what happened, they all got on their knees and asked God to help them.

Interesting things began to happen. God provided bags of groceries, a minivan, and odd jobs. Then the biggest surprise of all—a recording contract for ###'s oldest daughter, ###, age ###. She recorded her first album using an old family name, ###.

Flash forward to today. ### promotes his own daughter's sold-out concerts. ### has become one of the hottest Christian artists in America. Christianity Today magazine named her one of the top 50 up-and-coming evangelical leaders under age 40. We love asking her to sing at our evangelistic festivals around the country.

All along—no surprise—God knew what he was doing!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jer. 29:11).

 

[Newbie]

Still, not being a masochist, I would prefer God used an easier way to help us grow. It goes back to me not being a masochist. Only a masochist can actually ENJOY obstacles.

Nobody is asking you to enjoy the trials or tests that come our way. I, and I think most people, would prefer to have no tests or trials. But the simple fact is that there are certain things we would never learn without the tests and trials that come our way. Let me give you an example.

Compassion. How can you have compassion for others if you have never suffered? If you never lost someone you loved, how can you have compassion and understanding for those who have lost a loved one?

Christ suffered when He was on this earth. The Bible says, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:3)

My friend, if Christ suffered, we also will suffer.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.