Some things they won't tell you about being a "CHRISTIAN"

I was led to make this post for the one person that "thought" everyday being a Christian would be all good. Now, before people get all deep, critical, and judgmental, I do understand that deciding to follow Christ is the absolute BEST decision one could ever make because its in him that we have the victory & new life, but if we can be honest about this thing (Christian walk), everyday isn't peachy! I can only speak for myself on this though and this post is not meant to discourage anyone for being a Christian but the truth is, God never said it would be easy but he did promise It would be WORTH IT! Let me tell you a little about myself first.....

 

There have been mannnnny days I've wanted to give up and call it quits. Yep, I know Jesus died a gruesome, painful, sinner's death on the cross though he was innocent. Yep, I know that Jesus is my help, my strength, and my redeemer, and yep, I know that aside from him I can do and am nothing. I totally understand that, but as a Christian there are going to be days you don't feel like praising God, you don't feel like reading your Bible, fasting, praying, helping others, and serving in ministry. There are going to be times when you just want to revert back to your old self and have an "I don't care attitude" when it comes to things and people. You're going to be hurt, you're going to feel pain, and you're going to get weary sometimes. There are also going to be times where you may question God and even doubt that he is in fact real and hearing all that "encouraging God talk" may even make you angry because you don't want to hear it. You may say, "Lady/Sir, you don't understand what I'm really going through so please give me 50ft"....or you may give folks who try to motivate you to continue going forward the "blank stare". Its easy to say BE ENCOURAGED, ALL IS WELL, PERK UP, etc. when everything is going good, but what about those times when all hell has broken loose? Its not so easy to cheer up & smile when everything seems to be crumbling.  I know ALL about it because I've BEEN there.

 

If you follow me on Facebook, you may deem me as an encourager, a motivator, a supporter, and a woman that is truly after God's own heart....at which I AM all of those things and more, but sometimes even the encourager needs encouraging. I can recall on numerous occasions where I would give an encouraging word to others to help them out of their situations but in turn could not take in those same words for my own life. I can even remember encouraging others while crying behind the computer screen because I was struggling and hurting so bad. And guess what? I'M A CHRISTIAN!!!!!

 

But the beauty behind it all is that God is STILL good! When you decide to live righteously just as Christ did, you have to shoulder your cross and keep it moving. You won't feel like smiling everyday and there will be days where you don't even want to get out of your bed, BUT you must move forward! Living for Jesus is one of the absolute best decisions you could ever make but it comes with a price. Knowing that fighting on this battlefield & enduring the struggles will bring eternal life in the end is SO SO SO worth it! God loves us so much and he understands that we get weary, tired, and discouraged, but he is always there to lift us up. You couldn't have made a better decision to follow God but just know that it won't be easy. Its not complicated, but its not exactly easy either. Again, this post isn't to scare off or discourage anyone from becoming a Christian because the rewards for doing so are absolutely amazing, but please understand that on this journey you will encounter tests & trials, tears & discouragement, anger & so many other emotions.....ALL for the Glory of God!!!!!

 

If you are that ONE person this post is for, then please do not give up. I know its rough, I know it gets hard, and I know you may feel being a Christian isn't worth it (trust me, I've been there), but you must hang in there and stay focused on the "bigger picture". Jesus died so that you may have LIFE and have it more abundantly. Yep, it may not have worked out according to how you would have liked but that doesn't mean God is ignoring you or purposely wants to send you through hell. He allows things to happen in our lives to prepare us for the next level and to build and strengthen our integrity, our faith, and our character. So before you decide to permanently turn back to your old self, just count the cost. When we are outside of the will of God, destruction awaits us and we can't afford to be destroyed. Living for Jesus is such a rewarding decision but one that we must understand as well.

 

God is soooo good and I thank him daily. Lord knows it gets rough sometimes but I'm reminded of his never ending love for me and that helps get me through my darkest days. I won't give up and I won't give in because its all a part of the journey and I now understand that suffering for Christ's sake now means that I'll reign with him later!!!! Hallelujah! All I want to hear in the end is WELL DONE!!!!!! BE ENCOURAGED guys!

 

~Nina