Q: Why does it seem that those who believe in God have a worse time (as in more problems, troubles, suffering, etc.) then the unsaved? We believe in God, we are His children. Shouldn't we have an easier time of it?
A: To begin with, a common misconception amongst Christians is that we, as children of God, should have an easy time of things. This is not the case. God never promised us an easy life, nor did He promise us a life without problems, trials, and suffering. The truth is that the life of a Christian is a hard, and uncomfortable life. There is a reasons why in the Bible is says, "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14) God calls everyone, but few are willing, because the life of a Christian is not an easy life. 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)
The Bible also says:
"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)
As you can see by those two verses, God promised us the exact opposite of an easy life. But that doesn't mean we are without hope or will live a life of misery. That is not what is meant by those two verses. The Bible says also:
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
There is a joy and a peace that comes from serving Christ that passes all understanding or comprehension. The unsaved cannot even begin to comprehend the joy and peace that comes from serving God. We can take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what happens, God is in control. No matter what comes are way, God has promised in His word that He will never give us more then we can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 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.
If the unsaved lose their money, health, and belongings, as far as they are concerned they have lost everything. If we lose our money, health, and belongings, we have lost are material possessions, but we still have our faith.
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."
One reason why we have more problems then the unsaved is because we are more accountable for our sins. Many times the unsaved don't know any better, but we as Christians do. Sin is sin, and for every action there is a reaction, but God looks at the heart as well as the deed. As Christians we know better, and sometimes when we sin, we know we are committing a sin, but we proceed regardless. God takes that into account as well.
As Christians, we cannot claim ignorance of God's laws, we know God's commandments, but the unsaved often do not. 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)
Remember, God is a merciful and forgiving God, and perhaps He is giving them a few more chances to repent of their sins. Or perhaps the time isn't right. There are many reasons. We see only the present, God sees the past, present and the future. We cannot hope to understand the mind of God or comprehend His reasons.
Also, as Christians, the Devil will continually attack us, but through the grace and power of God, we can withstand any attack or obstacle that the Devil throws at us.
We may not always understand or comprehend the will of God, we might not understand or comprehend His reasons. But we do know that God is in control, and that no matter what happens in our lives, no matter how bad things get, or how hopeless our situation seems to be, God will take care of us.
God has never failed, and He has no intention of starting now.
A: To begin with, a common misconception amongst Christians is that we, as children of God, should have an easy time of things. This is not the case. God never promised us an easy life, nor did He promise us a life without problems, trials, and suffering. The truth is that the life of a Christian is a hard, and uncomfortable life. There is a reasons why in the Bible is says, "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14) God calls everyone, but few are willing, because the life of a Christian is not an easy life. 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)
The Bible also says:
"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)
As you can see by those two verses, God promised us the exact opposite of an easy life. But that doesn't mean we are without hope or will live a life of misery. That is not what is meant by those two verses. The Bible says also:
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
There is a joy and a peace that comes from serving Christ that passes all understanding or comprehension. The unsaved cannot even begin to comprehend the joy and peace that comes from serving God. We can take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what happens, God is in control. No matter what comes are way, God has promised in His word that He will never give us more then we can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 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.
If the unsaved lose their money, health, and belongings, as far as they are concerned they have lost everything. If we lose our money, health, and belongings, we have lost are material possessions, but we still have our faith.
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."
One reason why we have more problems then the unsaved is because we are more accountable for our sins. Many times the unsaved don't know any better, but we as Christians do. Sin is sin, and for every action there is a reaction, but God looks at the heart as well as the deed. As Christians we know better, and sometimes when we sin, we know we are committing a sin, but we proceed regardless. God takes that into account as well.
As Christians, we cannot claim ignorance of God's laws, we know God's commandments, but the unsaved often do not. 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)
Remember, God is a merciful and forgiving God, and perhaps He is giving them a few more chances to repent of their sins. Or perhaps the time isn't right. There are many reasons. We see only the present, God sees the past, present and the future. We cannot hope to understand the mind of God or comprehend His reasons.
Also, as Christians, the Devil will continually attack us, but through the grace and power of God, we can withstand any attack or obstacle that the Devil throws at us.
We may not always understand or comprehend the will of God, we might not understand or comprehend His reasons. But we do know that God is in control, and that no matter what happens in our lives, no matter how bad things get, or how hopeless our situation seems to be, God will take care of us.
God has never failed, and He has no intention of starting now.
