To all of the Christians: What is your toughest battle?

1. 60

   ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

   To all of the Christians: What is your toughest battle?
   
   As I am reading the Bible more and working on my daily walk with God, I look at what is the hardest for me to overcome.
   
   

   replyreport
2. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   I would have to say my toughest battle is trying to spread "The good news" to everyone I can, only to be chastised and get negativity, especially on here. Being patient and trying to stay away from debating non-believers is such a hard thing on here. I have noticed there are probably as many atheist on here as there are Christians. Wow, I often wonder where are the Christians when getting swarmed by non-believers? Unfortunately, this happens quite often. People just seem offended by us?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with this JThomp42 - great post.  I wonder when I see the posts from non-believers am I wrong for responding.  Do I just ignore and read another post?  I would say that is a tough one for me as well.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Renee. God Bless!

      replyreport
   3. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Aww thanks - you too!

      replyreport
3. 73

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   To find a church! None of them ever make me feel welcome, the music is either too new or too old. It's a miserable process. To always visit but never call one mine...

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks lburmaster for your comment.  Right now I am on the fence about staying at my church.  Our minister retired after putting us in a whole lot of debt.  Now what?  And we have too many people concerned about their title at church and not serving.

      replyreport
   2. 73

      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your last sentence is what always happens! I've only been to one church where that didn't matter. And I miss that church every day. A minister putting his church in debt? I've never heard of that happening.

      replyreport
   3. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What church was that -that's where I need to be - yeah i hadn't either - but then one of our choir members said he left his last church because their minister did the same thing-put them in debt spending money on unnecessary things, then he retired

      replyreport
   4. 73

      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. Putting a church in debt takes a LOT of spending.

      replyreport
4. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   For me it is the assumptions by non-believers.  I am not an aggressive, Bible-thumping Christian. I have a wonderful strong faith and will share but when it is not welcome, I respect their wishes to be left alone.
   
   I don't like being lumped in with people that want to beat non-believers over the head. That chases more people away from Christianity rather then drawing them in. 
   
   You cannot drag people kicking and screaming to faith.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm right there with you duffsmom.  I carry a Bible and read it often.  Pray alot and write alot about what I've read.  But, I can't get with the people who constantly tell me, "The Bible Says..." but they do the opposite.

      replyreport
5. 76

   ExpectGreatThingsposted 11 years ago

   My toughest battle is overcoming my own flesh and evil desires. I feel the reality of Paul's words in Romans 7 daily - I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
   
   I am also reminded of GK Chesterton's response to a question in the newspaper: What's wrong with the world? Chesterton replied, "I am." I am definitely looking forward to heaven when this battle will be over

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow - Chesterton's response is powerful.  Thanks ExpectGreatThings!

      replyreport
   2. 0

      SirDentposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I came here to speak write what you wrote.  Since you already answered for me, I voted this answer up.  The hardest thing I have ever done is to conform to the will of God and only because myself keeps getting in the way.

      replyreport
   3. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you SirDent

      replyreport
6. 60

   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   My toughest challenge is having a consistent, daily devotional life that will equip me to trust God in every situation.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you dianetrotter.  Consistency is key and I think that is where Christians in general struggle - being consistent in prayer, consistent with how we treat each other and ourselves, etc.

      replyreport
7. 95

   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   My toughest challenge is to relinquish control and trust God in all circumstances. I am begining to see the wisdom in the bigger picture and am learning to thank Him for even the worst situations because they teach humility.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is the truth cat!

      replyreport
   2. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I hear ya cat!  I'm that way - i'm learning to just let go and let God more and more, but there are times when it's difficult to just say okay God's got it.  I mean I can say it, but fully believing it is altogether different.

      replyreport
8. 71

   Judy G Gillisposted 11 years ago

   My toughest battle in my own personal life is complacency. I "coast" and the edges get dull in my relationship with God. The urgent displaces the important, and I allow myself to slip into just doing the "work of the Lord" instead of worshiping the "Lord of the Work" and letting Him work in me from the inside out rather than making "outside-in" (a.k.a. religious) changes.
   
   My toughest battle in my interactions with others is easily "other Christians" - those bound up in rules and regulations, who judge others' spirituality by their own standards and who are all caught up in formula-based living. It's these whose arrogance makes the watching world dismiss the message of Jesus; our dirty bathwater makes folks want to throw out the Baby right along with us!
   The answer to the second is found in the answer to the first. Intimacy with God in my own personal life will put everything else into perspective. It is a constant struggle to "let go" and allow God into those deepest, most hidden and broken parts of me. Yet it is SO worth it when I do.

   replyreport
   1. 95

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You've brought up some really good points!
      When I got too complacent and confortable in my life to tend to my relationship w/ Him, circumstances soon began to change until I finally took notice. Since, it has been my priority.

      replyreport
   2. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Judy -great answer.

      replyreport
9. 64

   snapbackbettyposted 11 years ago

   My toughest battle is remembering to put God first and trying to stop always wanting to fix things myself when I want it done. I really have to force myself to be still at times but I'm getting better day by day. To remind myself I often sing "He may not come when you want him, but he'll be there right on time. He's an on time God. Yes he is!"

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you snapbackbetty - absolutely right

      replyreport
10. 85

    Everyday Miraclesposted 11 years ago

    I struggle to observe the Torah as a Christian. I believe that because our Messah was a practicing Jew that I should also follow His example and practice the laws of Moses. This has been a real struggle with other Christians, however, who have said things ranging from telling me that it's sinful for me to choose not to eat pork for religious reasons to telling me that because Yeshua rose on a Sunday it's a sin to celebrate a Saturday Shabbat. My deepest struggle has not been with the fleshy desires to go my own way (work on Shabbat, celebrate Christmas and Easter, etc) but to guide other Christians toward an understanding of why it is that I do what I do. They don't have to choose my way, by ANY means, but it hurts a great deal to be told that I am in sin for maintaining obedience to the Laws of God.
    
    That's my biggest struggle.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Everyday, may I ask why you feel you should follow the Torah as a Christian?

       replyreport
    2. 85

       Everyday Miraclesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       diane, it is God's law that we should do so. Our Messiah was a practicing Jew and we are to follow in His footsteps in spirit and in faith. He is the only way to Salvation, but knowing the Laws and keeping them brings us closer to Yah.

       replyreport
    3. 60

       ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for your comments Everyday Miracles.

       replyreport
11. 86

    tamarawilhiteposted 11 years ago

    Not automatically reacting with anger to a child's mistake or perceived disobedience.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Great point tamarawilhite.  I think this is a tough one at times.  But, are we wrong for getting angry?  I need to turn to my Bible for this one.  Thanks for stopping by. Keep hubbing!

       replyreport
12. 0

    VeronicaInspiresposted 11 years ago

    For me, the toughest battle involves enduring God's discipline. It's not discipline in a negative way, but as I read the Word, pray, fellowship with others, I'm forced to be accountable and obedient to His Word, I'm challenged in my growth and in keeping His statutes and let me tell you that's not always pleasant. Like a child, I don't go into it without kicking and screaming!

    replyreport
    1. 60

       ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you VeronicaInspires - I battle with the same accountabiliy and obedience.  You are not alone.

       replyreport