Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Ayana
Why?
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 4:16 am
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I can barely breathe right now. I think I am suffering from a serve cold. Ive been on the path to getting closer to God for several weeks now. Now I am sick and I just wonder: Why wont He heal me??? I'm only 17 could it really be time for me to go Home?
Jen
to Ayana
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 9:39 am
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That's great you are trying to get closer to God. I have a severe cold also but I am slowly getting better. My mom and I were talking yesterday about all the pain I have been through and how it is used for a purpose. I have lost a sister, I had double vision (the doctors did not know why), I got asthma, I might have to get surgery when i'm older for my mouth and eyes. But you know what? God has healed me. I see fine now and I don't need glasses, I don't have asthma anymore, and if I do have to get surgery he will bring me through it. Stay with God, HE will help you through
Aero94
eirn
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 9:52 am
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wow!!! this was just the subject in our teen class kinda ours was if our God is good why dose he let bad things happen and if he has the powedr to help why dosent he?? we studyed it out and found many answers in the end we serve a just God who wants the best for us and yes he is good!!!
snowlover
re:topic
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 10:20 am
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I don't really have any good friends right now and it's just been really tough. Other things in my life have been going on. I often find myself questioning God's goodness. Thanks for the post. God knew I needed this.
booklover
re:Ayana
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 10:23 am
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I have to be honest with you. I've never experienced something like you're going through. All I know is God has a perfect plan. I will DEFINITELY pray for you.
Kristen
Crushing the lies!!
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 10:33 am
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There have been so many times where I have caught myself doubting God's goodness and tried to work through things making the wrong decisions!

Having a non Christian family its been hard defending God against the anger they have toward him. I sometimes have to reflect on what they say and go to the bible bc most of it makes sense to someone who doesnt know who God really is. Its led to my own doubt and anger toward what I feel God should have changed or done... which is such a lie!!

God is good ALL the time, and his plan is perfect! So I am working on with the help of a spiritual mentor to stomp some of these doubts and lies!!

Ayana- We go through valleys sometimes with much suffering, but hold onto Jesus. Have Joy in your suffering bc he is using this trial as a way to help you grow stronger as a christian. Im sorry, it must be scary not knowing what is to come of this, but I PROMISE that his plan will be for your best if you stay faithful to him! Praying for you!
Jesus is my KING!
Re Ayana
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 11:17 am
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Oh Ayana, I am praying for you!!! I hope that you feel better soon and know that the LORD will heal you in His PERFECT timing. I'm praying!!!
lydia
God is good
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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it is hard for me to think that God is good sometimes. my friends grandma lost her battle with cancer 3 days before christmas and i couldnt go to the funeral. that really made me wonder wat God was doing. and He took away a good family friend when he lost his battle to swine flu. and now im walking around the house and i see all of these marriage books for my parents and these depression books for my dad. i also see the depression pills he's taking. but i still try to remember that God has a reason that i dont see now and that it is for my whole family's benefit.
Erin Davis
Ayana
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 12:55 pm
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It sounds like you might be very seriously sick. If that's the case, please see a doctor ASAP.

If you are just feeling miserable (which we all do when we get sick) I would encourage you to do some research in the Bible on healing and God's response to the sick. The Bible has so much to say on that subject and I think you'll find it really encouraging (especially when you're feeling crummy!)

Erin
Danielle
WOW!
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 2:19 pm
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I was recently very angry with God for alotta tings in my life that i wish wouldnt have happened. I was mad at him because I felt that he just let it happen but when i was mad at him i shoulda been mad at satan for causing it to happen. Its still hard going through all this but now that Im no longer mad at God the stuff that i have to go through and am going through is ALOT easier.
Elaina
Re and look back
on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 3:33 pm
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I have never really doubted God's goodness. I have sometimes wondered why He does some of the stuff He does, but I've just never stopped believing He is good except for maybe once or twice.

By the way, just a heads up for all of you, there's a sort of discussion going on at the post "What Happens When a King Walks Among Us". If you wanna head over there and leave your input, it'd really be appreciated!
Cutie
Thank you
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 12:08 am
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Thank you for this post. This is exactly what I needed, as my cousin is in the hospital with cancer right now.
rooey2011
I just don't understand...
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 12:16 am
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I had to break up with my boyfriend a few days ago...It was our second time dating again and I thought God was pointing me to date him again and that it would last...our first relationship lasted 3 months and our recent one lasted a month and a half...I thought God was pointing me to date him again...but it doesn't seem like it since our relationship was short...I don't understand...
a mom
Re:
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 12:24 am
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I have been in serious prayer for my daughtger. I see her on a distructive path - looking for guys to make her feel loved. I explain God loves her and she is a beautiful gift. I get that she wants to 'feel the physical presence of love' but I see what she is doing as distructive.
I am doing my very best to Trust in the Lord's plan and that He will bring goodness out of our trials. It is her will that she is acting on and I feel helpless to prevent her pain and the damage she will suffer.
I pray for guidance and relief! I am scard! Any advice? Passage I can read to help guide me as parent. I know I can not parent her alone and I need God to show me what to do - please pray
LindseyLou
Through the tough times...
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:43 am
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I totally can agree with this blog 100%! This year our church has gone and is going through lots of sifting! Earlier in the year there was alot of death and sickness...But that really didn't affect me personally...but towards the end of this year, two of the evangelist kids and who are in the youth group got into a horrible accident and one of the boys began to struggle for life. It was so scary and I was praying to God every 10 minutes. My youth group shed many tears...and it hurt. We had many sermons on trusting in God and knowing him, because he knows what he is doing! Then a man who was so amazing at wittnessing died from a really horrible dieseas. That week was really hard...I learned to trust God even more than I already did,,,and I learned to know Him more than I had. Right before Christmas, one of my very close missionary friends ( they are sorta an adopted family to me)..she passed out and cut herself and was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with Lukeimia. That was the Sunday and hurt me worse that with anything that has occured. I had to remember to trust in God...Then I relized I'm not supposed to trust God only in the times of trials,,,but to trust him all the days of my life! I praise God that The boys in the car wrek are now doing ok and the one that was seriously injured can now respond and understand when people talk to him. My missionary friend is doing better, but still isn't out of the woods yet..Will ya'll please pray that the friends and family in our church..our church family will learn to trust in God and understand that He is in control and please pray for the ones who are healing or ones that have to deal with death. Thank you!
Pumkin
Re:
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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To a mom:
I'm praying for you :)

To Ayana:
praying for you girl :) keep Trusting GOD and HIS plan for you!
Abby
Re. A mom
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm
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As a teenage girl, I understand how your daughter is feeling. Its easy for us to feel stressed with all the pressures of the world around us and look to guys for love and comfort- Which they often don't give. I have had so many painful experiences with guys and watched my friends go through similar things. Its so dangerous because it just makes us feel worthless and turn away form God.

I know how helpless you must be feeling right now and have been there myself, but trust me, your daughter will come out the other side and when she does she will see how much you love and care for her and be very grateful. She needs to know how much her whole family and God care about her. It can be desperately hard and infuriating trying to talk a friend out of a bad relationship, especially when it seems to have no effect, but even if you can't see it God will be working through you and the situation and he does have a perfect plan for your daughters life.

Sorry I can't be of much help, I just saw so much of how my mum acted towards me when I went through a bad stage last year in your letter and wanted to be of any help that I can. All I can recommend is showing her how much you care by being a steadfast and loving presence in her life and pray, pray, pray. I will definitely pray for you and your daughter.
Mandy
God is GOOD
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 3:04 pm
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Yes, God has given me pain and hardship, but He has also given me many more JOYS to be thankful for. I know it is easy to trust GOD when things are GOOD, but when things go wrong it gets hard. Keep thanking GOD for the JOYS,
HE WILL help you through :)
Steph
re: a mom.
on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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Re: a mom.
what you're going thru is really hard im sure... i cannot even imagine how much you must love your daughter and how much it hurts you to see her stray away. i cant really pretend to know what you're going thru, but i do know that God holds your daughter in His hands and He wants the best for her. you are probably doing everything you can (being supportive and helpful) but really only God knows the big picture and knows exactly what she needs. I pray God will bless you and bless your daughter and that she will realize that guys will never satisfy her as Jesus will.

great post.

reading all these comments makes me want to cry. there are so, so, so, so many crappy things and sicknesses and experiences and problems in this world. i don't understand when people say "but whatever. life is good."

actually... life is not good sometimes. i think it's really important that we recognize that and not blow off the problems that people face. they are hard. they are painful. but GOD IS BIG ENOUGH FOR OUR QUESTIONS, AND HELP US IN OUR TIME OF NEED.

it's super hard to realize this when going thru trials... but God is there for us. the difference between a non-Christian and Christian is not that one has problems and the other does not - the difference is one is on their own in their problems and one has a constant support and help during their problems - and He is the God who created the universe!

when everything goes wrong, God and His goodness is pretty much the only constant.

never underestimate my Jesus. when the world around you crumbles, He will be strong.

God bless you all and may you continue to realize that God is there for you and He loves you and He hates the bad things that happen to you too.

kinda reminds me of that song lyric. "please don't fight, these hands that are holding you."
a mom
Re:
on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 3:46 pm
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Thank you for all the wonderful responses. Having acknowledgement and encouragement that God will see us through is very helpful
Erin Davis
A mom
on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 9:06 pm
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I can so relate! My children are much younger than your daughter, but I often feel the helplessness you described as a parent. The bottom line is that our children are free to make their own choices and sometimes that leads to heartbreak (for them and us!).

I am encouraged to hear you talk about praying for your daughter. I am convinced that prayer is our primary responsibility as parents. We so often want to "do something" when our children are in harms way. Prayer can seem like a weak response. But it certainly is not!

God reminds us of the power of prayer throughout His Word.

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

James 5:16 promises us that the prayer of the righteous is "powerful and effective."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "pray continually."

In other words...keep praying!

A praying mom is a powerful weapon!

Erin
nbrown
die
on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 10:51 pm
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When ever I think when I'll die, I feel sad, I know you should be happy if you go to heaven but, I'll miss all of my friends and family. Everything is supposed to be perfect and happy in heaven, but I can't understand how I can be happy if I can't share it with the people I love.
Erin Davis
nbrown
on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 2:24 pm
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Death is sad. There's no doubt about that. Even though we have the hope of heaven if we know Christ as our Saviour it is scary to think about the unknown and the possibility of being separated from our loved ones.

Revelation 21:4 give us this picture of what life will be like in Heaven. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

It is hard to imagine, but God will wipe away the sadness and anxiety you are feeling right now about death once you are in His presence.

One great way to deal with the anxiety you are feeling right now is to talk to your loved ones about Jesus. Make sure they understand that Jesus is the only way to be saved and that He promises them an eternity with Him as well. Being physically separated from loved ones by death is hard, but it is made even more difficult if they don't know Jesus as their Savior.

I want you to know that it is okay to feel some fear and sadness when you think about death. Death is a terribly sad thing that entered the world as a result of sin. But, don't let that fear overcome you. When you are feeling scared or sad about your own death or the deaths of others, run to God's Word for a dose of hope.

Erin
boxersrthebest
just a little encouragment
on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 9:13 pm
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My brethren,count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
but let patience have its perfect work,that you may be perfact and complete,lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4
Laurel
God IS amazing!
on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 8:51 pm
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Just reading these comments is telling me that God is at work. I am blessed to see such God-fearing young woman speaking out. And for all those who feel such a weight and are wondering if He's really out there, He totally is! He's watching over you! I use to think God wasn't real....was I wrong!! So, just keep believing, praying, and keep reading His Word!! Nothing can compare!!
suz
Re:
on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 7:46 pm
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i wont lie i have been like that before. Wondering why He wont help me, but then i have to remember all the stuff Gods brought me thro i had a whole year of one after another bad thing happen. and i just 6 months ago had an awful break up with someone who cheated on me. After so much stuff deaths and everything, I asked why would God put me thro all of this. When i broke down crying i ran to God and asked him just to take over my life and right after i did God gave me the best thing that ever happened to me. He gave me my bestfriend who also happens to be my bf and 6 months later were still going strong. Ive been thro alot but theres no doubt in my mind God brought me thro it and put me thro so i would run right back to him.
Lydia
Don Moen :)
on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 6:45 pm
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Reminds me of that song-
God is good
All the time
He put a song of praise
In this heart of mine
God is good
All the time
Through the darkest night
His light will shine
God is good
God is good
All the time!!

Love it ;)
Nichole
yes
on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 3:19 pm
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God is always good he always says yes or no for a good reason. He loves us all so much that he died on the cross for all of us!!


He also said that he will never leave you nor forsake you!

Nichole
cupcake
needing prayer
on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 3:12 am
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Hi guys,

can someone please pray for me i am really struggling to let go of lies and trust God again i feel like giving up i feel so down and like i will never be on the right path again, i struggle to go to God becuase i struggle to trust him and i feel like he is always angry at me and doesnt want me back, i dont know what to do from here im feeling so down and discouraged i just feel like im never going to get through this
Gracefalls
Help
on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 10:22 am
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I am not sure about God... I wonder if he is good... or if he is there... I say I am a christian... but i am not sure if I really am... I dont know what to believe.... is God good? or is he even real?
Erin Davis
Gracefalls
on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:54 am
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We believe God is real. He is the reason why we do what we do on this website.

It is possible to be a Christian and have doubts. God doesn't call us to a blind faith. But He doesn't call us to a lazy faith either. If you have questions about Him, you are going to have to do some work to learn more about Him and allow Him to work in your heart.

James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

He is talking about the things of God here. James says that if you are struggling to understand the things of God, ask God about it. He won't find fault with you and He wants to give you the answers.

However, Jesus also doesn't call us to a lazy faith. The answers to your questions about Him are out there, but He probably won't just wave a magic wand and suddenly you will be convinced. That is why He has given us His Word. It is rich with answers to all of your questions about His existence, His love for you, and what you have to do to be with Him forever. It's all in God's Word! But you have to read the Bible, memorize the Bible, and choose to believe the Bible in order to have the heart change you are desiring.

You might be asking "If I'm not sure if God is real, then how do I know if the Bible is true?"

Great question!

Here is a great sermon on that very topic: http://wwwsermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=530914253

I've also attached a copy of an article I recently wrote for ec magazine on the subject (please don't pass it around as it is copyright protected).

If the Bible is true, than God is who He said He is and He will do what He said He will do. Who did He say that He is? King of Kings and Lord of Lords? What does He say about you? He calls you His beloved (Song of Solomon), the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8), He think you are worth dying for (try reading the gospels to see the depth of His passion for you).

And He has promised that those who accept Him as savior will be with Him forever (Matthew 25:46, John 3:36, John 5:24).

Don't try to win this mental battle simply by talking yourself out of it. Dwell on God's Truth! Memorize Scripture. Put verses on your walls and bathroom mirror. Get involved in regular Bible study. Find an accountability partner. If you are struggling under the strain of doubt, rise up and fight against it! God may not take the doubt away because He wants you to search for the answers He's already written.

I hope this helps. God does love you. More than you could ever imagine. He loves you so much that He wrote about His love for you thousands of years ago and then put those love letters at your finger tips in the Bible. It's okay to search for Truth because that search can only lead you to one place...Jesus.

Erin