A question that I heard that really took a toll on my heart...

[lovex]

I've heard this question before... but, it never truly bothered me like it did today.

"Would my life look any different, if I suddenly stopped believing in God?"

Is there so many other things going on in my life right now to where I have no need to use my faith, or to trust in God. Meaning... When I go to work, I know that I'll have a house to go home to. I know that I'll have a refrigerator that's full, and if it isn't I go straight to the grocery store, use the money that I have, and buy some more food. If something unexpected happens to I run to my savings account or do I run to God? It truly affected me... I'm sorry if I sound stupid. But what I want the outside to see is someone who is so wrapped up in Jesus Christ, someone who is a servant for her King, not falling into the "securities" of this world, and being reliant on Him, and only Him. Is my life so structured that I never have to rely on faith?

Maybe it bothered me so much because I am guilty of this. Why do I want fleeting comforts here on earth when I could be denying them and focusing on things that are above. Waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and spending eternity with Him .

What do you feel when you ask yourself that same question?

[Warrior4God]

I've heard this question before... but, it never truly bothered me like it did today.

"Would my life look any different, if I suddenly stopped believing in God?"

Is there so many other things going on in my life right now to where I have no need to use my faith, or to trust in God. Meaning... When I go to work, I know that I'll have a house to go home to. I know that I'll have a refrigerator that's full, and if it isn't I go straight to the grocery store, use the money that I have, and buy some more food. If something unexpected happens to I run to my savings account or do I run to God? It truly affected me... I'm sorry if I sound stupid. But what I want the outside to see is someone who is so wrapped up in Jesus Christ, someone who is a servant for her King, not falling into the "securities" of this world, and being reliant on Him, and only Him. Is my life so structured that I never have to rely on faith?

Maybe it bothered me so much because I am guilty of this. Why do I want fleeting comforts here on earth when I could be denying them and focusing on things that are above. Waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and spending eternity with Him .

What do you feel when you ask yourself that same question?

To be honest, I see nothing wrong with trying to make the best of your life while here on earth. However, with that said, there is no such thing as total security and complete self-reliance. One minute you can "have it all," and the next minute it can all be gone. There are no guarantees in this life. No matter what your life situations and circumstances are, one must have faith and reliance on God to have total peace of mind and satisfaction.

[Caleb]

Php 4:11 Not that I am speaking with respect to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.
Php 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In every place and in all circumstances I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

What matters is not whether we have or have not, but that we have learnt to be content.

imho, contentment would mean that we have learnt to be unaffected by having or not having. We do not change course to the left or to the right, but we keep on the same path of following Jesus Christ, and the example He left us.

Paul was called to preach the gospel, and he did this to the fullness despite external circumstances.

[Dani H]

My life would be 100% different, without a doubt. In every single area. My relationships would be completely different. My priorities would be all sort of mixed up.

Oh yea. I know it. Not a doubt in my mind.

[Treasured]

I've heard this question before... but, it never truly bothered me like it did today.

"Would my life look any different, if I suddenly stopped believing in God?"

Is there so many other things going on in my life right now to where I have no need to use my faith, or to trust in God. Meaning... When I go to work, I know that I'll have a house to go home to. I know that I'll have a refrigerator that's full, and if it isn't I go straight to the grocery store, use the money that I have, and buy some more food. If something unexpected happens to I run to my savings account or do I run to God? It truly affected me... I'm sorry if I sound stupid. But what I want the outside to see is someone who is so wrapped up in Jesus Christ, someone who is a servant for her King, not falling into the "securities" of this world, and being reliant on Him, and only Him. Is my life so structured that I never have to rely on faith?

Maybe it bothered me so much because I am guilty of this. Why do I want fleeting comforts here on earth when I could be denying them and focusing on things that are above. Waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and spending eternity with Him .

What do you feel when you ask yourself that same question?

Hey Lovex

I think there are two things to look at here...one of them is stewardship and the other friendship. Every good thing that we enjoy in life is from God...He blesses and sustains us...more than we will perhaps ever realise. Sometimes we have material possessions that perhaps God has not desired for us...perhaps we have used income to indulge our material wants rather than invest in the work of God’s kingdom, or maybe we buy unhealthy things and/or unhealthy food rather than healthy things and/or healthy food...maybe we practice blessing ourselves rather than learning that to give really is more blessed than to receive...and of course there can be all sorts of reasons for this. We surely live in a hugely material world and all around us are ‘voices’ and ‘messages’ screaming at us to gain more and consume more and have more and hold tightly on to all we have or risk losing our security and status. Consumerism can be a huge curse if we allow it to get a hold on us.

Jesus however was our model...He was always Spirit-led with His eyes and ears tuned in to the Father’s heart and therefore would have stewarded income, gifts and/or possessions...and even relationships...perfectly. I don’t really think it’s about denying ourselves anything so much as recognising that God is our Provider and our Sustainer, and because He loves us He would have us recognise this, live a life of thanksgiving and also learn to live a life of Godly stewardship, listening for His leading as we allocate our resources...not to the degree that we pray and ask Him precisely what we should buy for breakfast, lunch and dinner...but rather learning to rest in Him in all our dealings, in all of our ways...learning to place our hand in His and follow where He would lead in all aspects of our lives...and adore Him always as our Good Father.

And as for friendship...you ask if our lives would look any different if we stopped believing in God. Goodness where would I start with this...lets see...God is here whether I acknowledge Him or not...He is good and kind and loving whether I acknowledge Him or not...He cares for and sustains me whether I acknowledge Him or not...He sends the refreshing live-giving rain for me as much as for anyone else...He protects me and causes all things to work together for good whether I acknowledge Him or not...but how sad and how tragic and how dissatisfied I would be if I lost...or rather gave away...my relationship with God... I am His child...He is my Abba Father...and the love He pours into my heart is worth more than anything I would ever gain from this world...it really is and nothing can compare to the ‘fullness’ and ‘completeness’ I find in His presence. He reveals to me who I truly am...where the world and consumerism urges me to find my identity in things and material possessions and occupations and networks and connections and so on and so forth...God says come to Me and know who I’ve created you to be...learn to know you are My treasured workmanship...learn to live in the awareness of My presence...learn to be renewed through the washing of My Word...words of spirit and life that transform you and strip away all that does not belong or that would hold you captive...trust Me...I am faithful and I love you so much I redeemed you with the blood of My Own Son...know that I have chosen and adopted you as My Own child...learn to know Christ revealed in and through you...learn to know love and live loved and offer authentic love to a loveless and hurting world.

The world around us scrambles to be known, loved and celebrated...no one, absolutely no one, can know us and love us and celebrate us like our Heavenly Father...as children there really is no one who can replace the love and nurture of our parents...though sadly too many of us have only ever known and experienced broken homes and dysfunctional families...but when things are working as God intended there is a precious bond between parent and child that nothing can replace. Fatherlessness is a terrible thing...if you check out the statistics on the effect of fatherlessness in any generation you will find that overwhelmingly people are caught up in pain and heartache...increased likelihood of involvement in crime, drugs, promiscuity and teen pregnancy, increased likelihood of academic underachievement, poor health and psychiatric issues, youth suicide, and increased likelihood of relationship issues and marital issues followed by divorce...the list just goes on and it’s blatantly obvious that lack of a healthy relationship with a father causes huge disadvantage in any individual’s life....and the reality is that this is reflected in any life that does not enjoy a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father...we are created for a loving relationship with Him and if we lack this or turn away from Him then we lose so very very much...and one way or another will suffer huge vulnerability and lack in our hearts...

The Prodigal Son sought all manner of pursuits to satisfy himself...ultimately he ‘came to his senses’ and returned to his father...where he should have been all along...interestingly the prodigal’s brother didn’t even get the father’s heart of love and generosity...I can’t help but wonder if he ever did realise how precious he was to his father...

So yeah...great question lovex...really great issue to consider...and I honestly believe that our lives would be utterly poverty-stricken and devoid of life and colour and meaning and purpose without our Heavenly Father...for a time we may ‘enjoy’ things and stuff and possessions etc...but ultimately we would end up lost and alone and fearful and starved of love and life...

But then there’s the GOOD NEWS!!!...isn’t it awesome that because of the blood of the Lamb and the infinite love of our Saviour Jesus that we can be fully and totally and eternally restored to our God and Father and know that we know that we know His love and healing and grace and mercy!! Oh thank you Father for the Good News and the power of Your love!!!

God bless you richly with a deep revelation of His Father's heart for you lovex...and a deep life-transforming understanding of His infinite and unconditional love for you...you are so adored!...so very treasured...keep your hand in His lovex and know that He will walk with you all the way to Heaven...I suspect that He may even carry you in His loving arms much of the way!...and what a journey that will be huh?!! Enjoy!

Treasured

[lovex]

Wowwwwwwwww... I've gotten some really great advice. Thank you all so much for your words.

[Indueseason]

Wow! I'm sure I wouldn't even be alive if I hadn't surrendered my life to Jesus! I can't even imagine it! The question just makes my heart overflow with gratefulness and adoration to a God who loved me so much He couldn't leave me dying in the mire!! Thank you Lord, not a day goes by that I am not humbled by Your love!

Every good thing comes from God, He gives and takes away according to His perfect will and plan. While we live in abundance, we learn to share, while we live with little, we learn to trust. Everything works together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose! I have been blessed by a time of abundance and the Lord taught me much, mostly about my heart. I am now in a place where He's saw fit to take much away from me and left me to be content and to trust in Him. Our Father is faithful in the good times and the bad, our journeys through the valleys and mountain tops of life, prove that and so leads us to incredible faith!

blessings to you