For a little while, you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (1Peter 1:6)
It is hard to understand the ways of God when the battle is raging and you are surrounded by the enemy. Going through a painful trial or heartache can bring you down lower than you have ever been. It can seem unbearable and crushing especially when you don’t understand why God would allow this struggle in your life. How can the torment that you are experiencing be part of God’s perfect plan for you? It just doesn’t make sense.
We read in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. Each struggle brings an opportunity for God to manifest more of his power in you. It is his strength to take us through to the end and our training for the royalty that awaits us in heaven. Yet, there are still times when the answer to our prayers for help seems so far away.
Even knowing God has a purpose for our trials, the things that come against us in this world will never make sense to us. However, the divine purpose for all we endure must complete its work in us. Even Jesus knew that he had to endure great pain that we might be redeemed. In Luke 22:43-44 we read that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray before he was to be crucified. With great anguish over what he was to suffer, his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Yet as he obeyed his Father’s will, an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. Jesus understood that there were eternal implications in all that he had to endure. He willingly gave his life that we might be saved.
As a believer, you should understand that God will also send his angels to strengthen and comfort you as you grow weary from the battles of this world. He will never let you stand alone and carry burdens that are much too heavy for you. The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from their trials. His purpose in allowing pain in your life is to develop you into the image of Christ and to actually make you stronger for the journey set for you. In 2 Corinthians, God’s word says that you may be hard pressed on all sides but never crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but never abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. The storms of this life can rock your boat but Jesus has promised that you will get to the destination that he planned for you before you were born. When you can trust God despite your broken heart, you defeat the father of lies who wants you to forget that Jesus paid the price for your victory. All the troubles that we must face are obtaining for us an eternal reward that will last forever. You must keep your eyes on Jesus who is able to keep you in his peace even when you don’t understand the purpose for your pain.
Scripture says that after losing his children, his wealth and his health, Job cried out, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:13). God had a purpose in allowing Job to go through such a trial. Ultimately, Satan was defeated and Job received a great reward. He was given beautiful children, greater wealth and a longer life because he trusted God when even when all was taken.
God’s purpose and plan will forever stand though the earth may be shaken. God’s ways are much higher than the logic of this world so you must trust him even when you don’t understand. There is nothing you are suffering that God didn’t plan in advance to take you through. May it help you to know that there are believers praying for you right now and that God’s love for you will never fail!
Dear Lord, I am praying now for those who are enduring great hardship and pain in their lives. Although they are struggling to stand in their faith, they have become weary and need a touch from you. I pray that you will give them a very real sense of your presence in all that they are going through. I pray that you will fill them with your peace and will open their eyes to know that you are with them despite the fierce storm that is all around them. Help them to continue to walk in trust knowing that you will never fail them and that your divine purpose in their lives cannot be stopped by the enemy of this world. Amen
( Picture by Francesco Cosi)
God's Promises Are Real 
52 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 6, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Pat
Hello Marianne please keep Sonya in your prayers she is going through storms and it seems as if the heat is turned up every day with something coming against her and her family.Good,good post very encouraging!
LikeLike
October 6, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Pat, Sorry to hear about Sonya but I will keep her in prayer. We are in such tough times and everyone is feeling the heat in some way. It is hard to stay in faith but we must for these are the times Christ foretold of. The bad times can’t destroy God’s people – it can only refine us! We just need to keep praying for one another and keep our eyes on Christ! He didn’t take us this far to let us be destroyed now. The victory is our if we can only stand and not grow weary. That is what I will pray for Sonya. That she will know that God won’t fail her and that she will have the strength to hold on in the storms she faces.
As always, thanks for stopping by Patty!
LikeLike
October 9, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Joe
Thank you for this word today Marianne. I’ve felt God’s presence in my life moreso in the last month than I ever have and have felt the comfort and strength from His Word as I’ve dealt with loss and family struggles as well. It has also been a reminder of how Satan looks to work his plan when we are vulnerable and that we can’t let our guard down for a minute. As you mention, Job is a real model for us in that regard.
Thank you again for your prayers and for the truth you bring through your site. It’s always a blessing to visit here. Thank you friend !
LikeLike
October 9, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Joe, you have been through so much in the last several weeks and I know how hard it was for you to continue on trusting that God has everything under his control. You are right that we cannot let our guard down for even a second. The enemy is looking for the weak link in our faith to attack us at every corner. While I pray that none of us have to endure what Job did, still, in our own lives we have struggles that do bring us to the end of our own strength. It is faith that honors our God when we can trust that he will work it all out for us even when there is no end in sight and no light at the end of the tunnel that we can see. It is having an unwavering faith when we can trust that God will always be bigger than the storm surrounding us.
My prayers are still with you, Joe, and for your family each night. God is working out his plan for you even though your heart is filled with pain at the death of your dear father. You honor God, my friend, as you continue to write the truth about the God you serve.
Stay in peace, Joe, and be comforted knowing that God will not ever fail you.
LikeLike
October 9, 2010 at 8:14 pm
concernedx2
Marianne, I am comforted, I am encouraged as I read this great message that can come from nowhere but the mind of God. This is one that should be “bookmarked,” and placed among the favorites that we might return to and be reassured when the enemy assails us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,” what a concept. There is no one immune from the “testing time” that is sure to touch us, but there is no one removed from the “love of God” that over shadows us. Your counsel exemplifies the love of Christ to his children.
Thank you so very much;
your friend in Christ,
Bro. York.
LikeLike
October 9, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you, Rev. York, for always being such an encouragment to me in my life. We all have our struggles in this life that we just don’t understand why God allows. If his love is so great for us, why does he watch as we suffer on this earth.? But you answered that by your reminder that God so loved the world that he allowed his ONLY Son to suffer and die for us. We are proved true sons and daughters when we follow in Christ footsteps with our suffering for him. The divine purpose for our pain far outweighs our momentary struggles.
Thank you for being such a blessing to me – one that I truly treasure!
LikeLike
October 11, 2010 at 7:02 am
Renz
Hello Marianne!! Thank you once again for bringing God’s message to my life. Just a while ago, i was wondering why so many bad things could happen to me in just one day,why so many bad news reached my ears today, despite the fact that I prayed and asked for God’s help before I started this day. Now because of what you wrote, I am more inspired to continue trusting God’s plan and purpose! Thank you Marianne!!
LikeLike
October 11, 2010 at 9:27 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Renz, Iam glad you read this message because I know you have been through a lot. Bad news is just an appointment for God to do something great in your lives. He allows believers to go through trials to so that his mighty power will be revealed. Keep trusting in Christ who has ALL things in your life planned out to the end. Nothing takes him by surprise and he can and will cause everything to be used for your good and his glory. The bad times are never bigger than your God and he is more than able to take you through them. God bless you, my friend!
LikeLike
October 16, 2010 at 2:09 am
Rebecca Nsama
Thanks 4 the wonderful word and encouragement you are giving each day. May God continue blessing your life and giving you more wisdom. Am through a hard time so please pray for me.. Thankyou
LikeLike
October 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Rebecca, I most certainly will add you to my prayer list each night. Whatever you are going through, focus on the fact that your God is bigger and his love will not fail you. In ALL things you will be more than a conqueror. Your circumstance may look bleak now, but God knows how to change that a the right time. God bless you dear friend. You are not alone. I will be praying!
LikeLike
October 17, 2010 at 2:28 am
Melchizedek
Life’s not always fair, but God is always good. =)
God bless you, sister, for these encouraging words.
LikeLike
October 17, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Melchizedek! Your very words that life is not always fair but God is always good show me that you trust your God to be bigger than your struggles. Good for you and God bless you, my brother.
I pray daily for Israel and for God ‘s people to be open to knowing the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. How wonderful that you are an example of God’s answer to prayer as a Jewish believer!
LikeLike
November 3, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Rachel
I agree – so many around us are suffering … No one can judge another’s particular heart to where they are at with God. But one thing I’ve noticed as a whole and I feel God teaching me this week is that many are falling under deception – listening to and giving heed to those who wear the Christian label but aren’t of God. When we put our trust and follow man we open ourselves up to so much deception and darkness – inviting in all kinds of evils and thus torments into our lives.
Many truly have their trust in man instead of God when it really comes down to it. I’m starting to see a trend among those who open themselves up to these religious leaders (wolves in sheep’s clothing) and the torment they experience in their lives. And these leaders look good, nice, humble. They don’t seem like “slick salesmen” if you know what I mean – they look like ministers of light.
Jesus warned us over and over and yet still many are being insnared.
The love of the truth will save us in these days 2 Thess 2:10. It’s imperative that we put seeking God and His Word as taught by His Holy Spirit to each one of us and not man above all else.
Rachel
LikeLike
November 9, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Marianne Lordi
You have made many valid points, Rachel, and I fully agree with all that you said. There are so many “so called” Christians who are deceiving so many people. I was wondering, and want to ask you, what do you think of those who say they are saved and yet seek to hear only what they like and not the truth? Do you believe that you can be a believer and be open to this aberration of the truth of Jesus Christ? It is hard for me to understand that if the Holy Spirit dwells in you that you can be led by another voice. That is why the road to destruction is wide and that few find the narrow road. I just don’t know.
LikeLike
January 28, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Ken
Great post Marianne. It is hard to understand why we suffer. I hate it when I go through trials, but, if I hold onto Christ, when it is over I will be stronger. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your much appreciated comments. Ken
LikeLike
January 28, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Ken, I am so glad you stopped by. I love your site and you certainly are annointed in your teachings. That is why I check it out all the time! This message was one for me because so often I would question why God would allow things to happen in my life. The truth is that he is using ALL things in his eternal, divine and perfect plan for my life.
LikeLike
November 2, 2011 at 7:09 am
Merry Dane
I am enjoying reading your blogs, as they are words that are inspiring me during this time of my life. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this truthful wisdom and how critical it is in my life!
LikeLike
November 2, 2011 at 9:13 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Merry, I am so glad that God brought you here. I will be praying for you. Whatever struggle or pain you are dealing with is in the hands of your God whose love will take you through it. Keep Christ in your heart. Read your bible each day and never give up. The world is growing dark and we all are facing problems. But they will never be bigger than the God we serve! I will add you to my prayer list. God bless you,, my friend.
LikeLike
November 13, 2011 at 10:29 am
JENNIFER
I need help, I am a Christian woman who has been in a relationship with a Christian man for 12 years and he recently broke off the relationship. I have had many struggles since then because I hear the Lord telling me to not give up and to hang in there with this man, see God know’s not timeline and when I was discouraged before with the relationship the Lord always said hang in there dont give up, be patient and he was meaning dont give up on the relationship. Well I still hear the Lord’s voice and I know what he is telling me and making me feel. The problem is the man I was with is not hearing that same message, he has been given many many gifts from the Lord and he has been happy with the many blessings the Lord has giving him. In short the Lord came to me one morning and made me see that what this man is going through is that God gave him many gifts and therefore satan is trying to take away some of his happiness, he was given a beautiful home a true gift from God and satan does not want us there together, he wants to take what could have been a happy home with us and the Lord in it and just keep it a house and he wants to destroy our relationship and this man is allowing this to happen because he thinks he is receiving a message from the Lord and doing what the Lord wants him to do when the Lord showed me that satan wears many mask. I have tried to talk to him and I have been praying for him and I dont know what more to tell him and I dont know what scriptures to give him. I love this man and I have followed the path that the Lord has asked of me and I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. I need help, I cant and wont go against what the Lord is saying to me and satan is now trying to work on me by putting evil thoughts in my head. Can you help.
LikeLike
November 13, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jennifer,
My heart is with you and I will be praying that God will give you the wisdom and discernment that you need in this situation.
I am concerned that you have been with a man for 12 years and he has not made a commitment to you. And I will tell you that if it was God’s will that you remain with this man, God would have told him and not you. I understand that you have deep feelings for him and this is hard on you. But the truth is that you do not have to plead for any man to love you. That is not God’s intention for your life. If it is good and if it lines up with God’s will, the man should love and respect you and want to be with you. The fact that he broke off your relationship does not seem like that is what is happening.
Jennifer, you are selling yourself short. You are convincing yourself that you have to have this man in your life even if he doesn’t want the relationship. Satan does wear many faces but he cannot stop God’s plan. Why would God want you to stay with a man who feels he doesn’t want a relationship with you? You are putting your life on hold for something that you have no control over. I pray you will seek the Lord and really listen to what he is saying. If this man has not commited to you by now, why do you think he ever will? You should be with a man who will love and cherish you and who desires a life with you in the bands of matrimony. You should not have to wait 12 years for him to make up his mind. You deserve nothing less than God’s best for your life.
I will be praying for you, my friend. I don’t know what will happen in this relationship but I will pray for God to show you the path that he would have you follow. He knows the plans he has for your life. He will help you.
LikeLike
January 27, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Katherine
Dear Marianne
I hav just come across your site and hav been greatly encouraged!
Could I ask for your prayers.. Last Feb (2011) I was diagnosed with breast cancer! I had a 3cm lump removed, chemo, another op then radiation treatment. Having got through it all with struggles of shock, grief, depression, physical&emotional pain – I know God was with me, lovingly taking care of me through it all. Friends& family all praying, caring, supporting me, my husband & 4 children. Following all this i now hav to go on estrogen blocker for 5 years. I tried tamoxifen after my second op but I got v depressed & had to come off it. 4 mnths later i now have to decide on three options: try the tamoxifen again; or hav monthly injections or hav surgery to remove my ovaries followed by takg another drug which has horrible side effects. My body is more sensitive to medication & I’m v unsure wat to do; I would prefer not to take anything but theres a risk of my cancer returning. I also don’t want to go on antidepressants. I wld really apprec yr prayers, words of wisdom & insight concerning the next step of my journey..
love & blessings
Katherine
LikeLike
January 28, 2012 at 12:08 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Katherine,
I am glad you stopped by because I am going to keep you in prayer for God to give you his peace and guidance in what you should do. The good thing is that God doesn’t care what disease you have had or what stage it was in. His power is always going to be greater than it all! You have been through a lot and I know that you still have anxious thoughts but I pray that you don’t. God has said that he has numbered all of our days before one of them came to be. If you belong to him, Katherine, it is his will that shall prevail – not the cancer. God’s works through doctors and medicine so I am not saying not to follow your doctor’s directions. Study your alternatives, check the pros and cons and then give it to the Lord. He will give you a peace about it all, dear sister.
The only opinion I will say, and it is only my opinion, is that tamoxifen has some bad side effects if I remember correctly. Since you already had a reaction to it (depression) maybe your body is not able to tolerate that drug. Look carefully over the other two alternatives and see what you think is best. I will be praying that God will help you to make this decision. The bottom line is that God has you covered either way. I want you to know that I am here for you when you want to talk it over. You can email me anytime to talk privately. Sometimes just discussing it with another person helps you decide. And know that I will be praying each night for you. God will do the rest. Be in peace, my sister, God’s power is going to take you through this!
LikeLike
March 1, 2012 at 7:56 am
Mark Mazzochi
Marianne, I sit here with tears in my eyes reading words that speak in whispered shouts. This is an amazing blog. My life is falling around me and out of the rubble I stumble across this 😉 thank you. You have just saved my soul.
sincerely,
Mark M.
LikeLike
March 1, 2012 at 11:12 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Mark, I am so glad you stopped by. You said out of the rubble of your life that you stumbled across this blog. I believe that in your pain, God brought you here! I always lift up those who are struggling and for whom God gives me his messages. I pray that he will bring them here to receive his strength and to know the truth that nothing is going to defeat them. Mark, most of us are in troubling situations. I am also. It sometimes is hard to wait upon God to remedy your situation and take you out of the fiery furnace. The truth is that God is working even now on the trial you are facing. He is not only working it out for you to get the victory but also for you to be strenghened and encouraged so that you can face every battle with confidence. Keep your eyes on Christ in everything you endure. Have no fear for he is more than able to take you through safely and to give you a future with hope. Whatever is happening in your life right now, it has no power to destroy you. I am praying for you, dear friend. Please feel free to email me whenever you want to talk privately. Christ has promised to never abandon you or leave you alone to face your battles. You have his promise to help you in all things. Be strong, my brother. God has given his angels charge over you. He has declared that you are a conqueoror over all that comes against you.
Please stop by again and let me know how you are doing. I will be praying for you.
LikeLike
March 1, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Anonymous
Hi Marianne. I came across the site as well because I was in and have been in so much pain and hurt and disspointment and I wanted learn how to give your pain up to god.. Because my heart is so heavy ..I have been going through so much since 2007 and things are getting worse..this site is very encouraging ..and gives me hope that my better tomorrow will be here soon…thank you
LikeLike
March 2, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Marianne Lordi
Anonymous, I am so happy that you were encouraged from the messages that God gives me to share. I have also faced much pain and disappointment in my life. Currently, I am going through a painful trial in my marriage. As difficult as it seems, God is stil in the midst of this storm and he has the authority over all that I face. Just knowing that he will allow only that which he will use for my good. It is hard to imagine how my pain can be used for good but I know the God I serve and he has taken me too far for me to doubt him now! My friend all of our trials have no power to destroy us but are meant to draw us closer to the heart of God! I don’t know what you are going through but if you can stand in faith and believe that God is bigger than your pain than you will have victory no matter what battle you face. My heart is heavy also but I am learning to lean on the power of Christ who will lift m burden and lighen the load. He is showing me a little more of himself in every trial I face. It may seem weary to you for now. I just pray that you will hold on and believe that God is more than enough to handle all of your problems.
Please know that I care about what you are feeling. I am here to pray for you and you can email me anytime you want to talk privately. Dear friend, your future was made secure at the cross! Not even the gates of hell and all their power can harm a believer who trusts in Christ. I will be praying for you.
LikeLike
March 2, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Anonymous
I really appreciate you answering and praying for me even though you yourself are going through a storm…You are truly an inspiration of strength … Something that I need to have.. I went from a troubled marriage to family betrayal to drowning in financial problems to making new friends and loving hard and back to being betrayed and humiliated and still in huge debt . And its not getting better… I walk around with such heaviness ..but I still I have. Hope and still pray and reading your site lightens my burdens .. And I want to thank you from my heart for keeping me in your prayers …..
LikeLike
March 2, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Marianne Lordi
Anonymous, I will keep you in prayer. God can still help you. He is going to see you through this. While you wait on him, keep the truth in your heart. Let his word guide you in what you do. I am praying that God will direct your steps in the areas of who you let into your life. I pray for those to be around you who will lift you up and encourage and strengthen you. I pray for God’s guidance in the areas of your finances. Our God owns the sheep on a thousand hills. Everything in this world belongs to him. It is not too hard for him to provide for what you need. Read your bible and let the promises of God be your hope. I will be praying for you.
LikeLike
March 5, 2012 at 6:47 am
Sharon Nitasha
This article is so inspiring and so real …..even the same things happen to me and the Word of God is so real and every word is coming to past and I am getting closer to victory ( for what I have been praying for a year ) as the trials unfold and the God of wonders help me play through all of it cool and am so glad that Our God is soooooooooooooooooo good……
I pray that the power of God springs forth even more to use you as a weapon for Christ …
May God bless you abundantly …..
LikeLike
March 5, 2012 at 9:21 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Sharon, your trials and struggles are working out the purpose for which God has intended. He is molding and shaping you for his work and for his glory. God is so good. He will never fail you and his plans for you cannot be stopped by the storms of this world. Keep up the good work, Sharon, you are making a difference!
LikeLike
March 6, 2012 at 3:40 am
Sharon Nitasha
Yes, you are really right. I many a time feel that I am living here so different from others.Sometimes I feel like an alien you know,in this wicked,ever -perishing world (laughs)!…..I feel like am born to make a difference in this world with Bible as my weapon and the Spirit as my shield : D ..
am excited about the whole thing about “serving God “….. I am soo interested through the Spirit,it gives me unspeakable joy ….Joy that knows no control nor interested.I thriilled about things to come. Trials I feel are so easy compared to the Mighty Hand of God who goes before us and Overcame this world before us …
Blessed are all of us being saved and whoa re to help save others…
Glory to Lord Jesus!
LikeLike
April 20, 2012 at 8:00 am
Anonymous
Hi AM Jose, Please pray for me.. am very much disturbed in mind because of my family life.. God’s should do some miracle and make my life better…..
LikeLike
May 9, 2012 at 7:42 am
Ann
Thank you so much for sharing. Please do add me in your prayers too. Right now i am in a situation where my marriage is not ok because of a third party. May all the things i am hearing against my husband (who is currently abroad) is not true. I just cant stop myself from crying though and thinking all of those things. I pray for more strength to carry on. Thank you Marianne.
LikeLike
May 9, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Ann, As you can see from all the people here, we are a praying group. I will be praying for you and for your marriage. I know it can be hard when you hear negative things about your spouse. I pray they are not true and that you will be comforted knowing that God has a plan for your future no matter what happens. As hard as it seems right now, keep your eyes on Christ. Please read your bible every day so that his truth will strengthen you when you are too weary to stand on your own. My sister, when you belong to Christ, he has the plan for your life and it can’t be stopped. I will be here for you if you want to talk. You can email me anytime and we can talk this over privately. I know it is a difficult time for you now and your heart is breaking. All of us here will be praying for you. You will not be alone for a second! We all care for you and will be praying for God to comfort you in this time of pain. Be strong, my friend. God is not going to leave your side.
LikeLike
July 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Knial S
This..I needed to read this; thank you
LikeLike
July 27, 2012 at 7:53 am
Marianne Lordi
Glad you stopped by, Knial. Be blessed today, my friend
LikeLike
August 15, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Tiffany
Marianne,
These words are very powerful and I know its a reason I found this page now , I came across this blog today when I typed in Google ” Does God allow bad things to happen to bring you to him” and i came across this page ………..I recently lost a good friend that I care about because I said some mean things to him, now I regret it and now it’s been a week and he still won’t talk to me. Just a few days ago when things were getting worse and I was starting to loose hope and the devastation was taking me over that my friendship will never be restored, I turned to God and began to pray to him to ask him to fix this. However I still haven’t heard from my friend, but today I just realized that could all this be happening to bring me closer to God because Ive been distant from him. I’m a firm believer in Christ and I always used to go to Church but then I just began to stop and i haven’t been in a few months…..but I just realized today that I only called on God because there was a problem and I began to cry because I heard God speak to me and tell me it’s time for me to come back to church to get closer with the Lord. So could God be teaching me a lesson to come back to him through a broken friendship that may never be restored ? Pray for me because I don’t want to loose my friend because I also know God sent me him for a reason too.
LikeLike
August 16, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Tiffany, I am so glad that God brought you here. We have all made bad choices in our lives and had to face the consequences for them. However, In Romans 8:28, we are told in God’s word that he will cause ALL things to work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. If you are in Christ, my sister, even this situation can be turned around for a purpose to be used for something good. If your friend was a good friend who truly loved you, I believe he will forgive you one day. Pray for his heart to be softened, Tiffany. Write him a note from your heart and let him know how sorry you are for your action. If you have strayed from your relationship with Christ, you made yourself more vulnerable to the ways of this world. That is why you must draw close to him. Please read your bible each morning. Just one chapter is good and will take you about 5 minutes. Ask God to apply that Scripture to your heart. Submit to him your weaknesses and call upon him for his strength in your life. Tiffany, I will be praying for you. I pray for a reconciliation with your friend. Remember that even if it does not happen, continue to pray for him and never hold a grudge. In time, God will help you to be stronger in your faith and able to make better choices in life. We have all done things we regret, dear sister. None of us is exempt. Learn from this and move forward. Don’t let one mistake hinder you in your life. If you repent and turn from it, it has been forgiven. Forgive yourself and if you learn something, than it had a purpose.
Christ wants you back, Tiffany. He wants all of you. And it is only in surrendering all you have that you are able to get all he has for you. It is not in going to church but in a personal daily relationship to him that he desires. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. You can never travel too far that his grace is not able to bring you back to him.
If you have turned this to God, he is not going to fail you. I am here for you, Tiffany. I will be praying. Leave the rest to Christ. You are never alone.
LikeLike
August 16, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Tiffany
Marianne,
Thank you…… just reading what you wrote made me cry because I trust in the Lord and I know he won’t fail me. Thank you so much, reading this just gave me a better spirit for today. May God Bless you for helping me and others, you are an angel sent from above.I will keep in contact with you, thank you.
LikeLike
October 6, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Anonymous
Hi Marianne
Like so many others I came across your blog while searching for some comfort in God’s word. I too feel that the things that have been happening in my life recently have me at the lowest point ever! As a mother the most devastating of all is the critical bad decisions that my only son has made which was again repeated and will now result in dire consequences. I have a strong trust in God and have many times been blessed with his greatness during troubling times. I have been asking God to intercede and set his life on the right path and to make him the man that he had created him to be but when things got worse I questioned, “why was he forsakening me and my son”. I feel so ashamed and am so sorry that I questioned our Savior! Reading your message has helped me to get back on track and to focus on what I know to be true.
LikeLike
October 6, 2012 at 11:54 pm
Marianne Lordi
My dear sister, we have all questioned our God at some time during our struggles. Remember that Jesus cried out to the Father, ” Why have you forsaken me?”. Jesus understood that his Father would never forsake him but in his “humanness” and pain, he cried out. The fact that you realize that God did not forsake you shows your true faith. My friend, I am so sorry that you are having problems with your son. No mother wants anything bad to happen to her children. I am crushed when things happen to my daughter so I know how you feel. The enemy wants you to think that God does not care or is not answering your prayers for your son. That could not be further from the truth. God is close to the brokenhearted. He hears your pleas and he is answering you because you belong to him! You do not see what he is doing right now but you will. I believe he has already begun his work in your son. Let it finish its course. We are all given free will. God will not take that from us. However, in his mercy, he sometimes takes us to the very end of ourselves so that we can see the consequence of our sin and turn and repent! He is with your son now but he must do his work his way and in his timing. I will be praying for you, dear sister. Your burden is now mine also. It will work out. The prayers of a believing mother for her child availeth much! Never doubt that you are being heard or that God has chosen not to answer or help. Remember that he grieves with you in these situations. He sees your pain and he is with you.
I will be praying each night for your son and for you. God will not allow anything that is going to destroy your son but he must take him to where he will understand the consequences of his actions. Please feel free to email me if you want to talk confidentially. I am here for you, friend. No one was ever meant to carry their burdens alone. In all things, remember that God still has a plan. He is always in complete control and authority over it all. He has the plan!
Be in peace. Your God is with you and he will not fail. You are not alone.
LikeLike
November 30, 2012 at 9:59 am
denise
I feel like I’m going through fire. For over 3 years even more since childhood I have dealt with so much. I look at my life now and i t does not seem real..I feel like I’m dreaming. Why is this happening to me and where is god protection. I come to realize its for a reason but somntimes I don’t feel like I can handle this. Please pray for me I need someone to just pray for me though this. I pray for strength and happiness and that’s all I want from life.
LikeLike
November 30, 2012 at 10:15 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Denise, I know what you are going through. I have had struggles from childhood on up to adulthood and it is difficult to stand and trust God but that is when you must. I have made so many poor choices in my life stemming from the pain of my childhood. I am learning to lean on Jesus and let him be by protector and my provider. He is all that I need. I have tried to fill the void in my life with so many useless things but now I know that Christ is all that I need. I believe that is true for you also.
My sister, I will be praying for you. You are on my heart. And remember that you can email me if you want to talk privately. Whatever you are going through, with Christ, you always have hope! He holds your future. He alone has authority over all that you face. I am here for you to talk to. You are not alone. God is going to see you through this trial. Just keep your eyes on him and please read your bible each morning. His strength will be enough. Be blessed today, my friend.
LikeLike
November 30, 2012 at 10:15 am
denise
Why is this happening. I never thaught I will be loved and treated good by a man and feel so spirtually connected never in my wildest dreams. I met the love of my life but why is there so much against us? There are so many outside forces. One after another going against us but we never left eachothers side. I always considered myself a weak person well extremly emotional to the point in certain situations I just simply walk away. But I have my strong points too I am a determained person.Now I can’t leave because of my love and we both are true believers in god that is why I don’t understand this situation …one after another how much more I ask god. Sometime I can’t believe how mouch I been through. I’m so very tired and so tired of being judged. I just need prayer please pray for my relationship and the release from negativity.
LikeLike
November 30, 2012 at 10:25 am
denise
Thank you marianne. I once thaught a child could fill that void I now know only god can. I just don’t know how much more I can take. My mom is addicted to drugs, im a homeless student, just so much then yesterday I was hit with a crisis and when I woke up this morning something else. My boyfriend and I have a support system with god but we don’t know why this is happening…even negative people are stirring situations in our lives..I’ve been feeling so depressed lately like I can’t go on its just too much marianne how do I. Cope with this? I use to walk away when things got tuff now I can’t but I don’t think I’m strong enough to handle this ..I want to cry because all I want is strength and happiness ..I suffered all my life and don’t understand why?
LikeLike
November 30, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Denise, I think there is more going on than you are telling me. Why don’t you email me at lordi.marianne7@gmail.com and we can talk privately.
LikeLike
January 23, 2013 at 1:01 am
Brittany
I just came across this site the other day and I just want to say thank you for this. I’m an only child and i lost my mom 2 years ago and that really took the life out of me. My family isn’t really a close family so its been really hard for me. I have been really struggling and battling with God over these last to years and for along time i was angry at the world,at God and just my situation. Though i still find myself questioning God after losing my mom i have a hard time trusting him and sometimes I wonder is he really there. I pretty much lost my family when i lost my mom and to be left alone has been hard for me.
LikeLike
January 26, 2013 at 1:44 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Brittany, my dear friend, I know how hard it is to lose a mother. It can be especially hard when you don’t feel close to other family members. Dear sister, don’t give up hope for your God knows your pain and he will help you. He is there for you even though you don’t feel him or see him. He is behind the scenes and he is working out a plan for your life. Nothing can destroy a true child of Christ. You must read your bible each day and let the promises of God fill your heart and give you strength. He will speak to you through his word. He knows where you are,Brittany. He is the One who took you this far and he will not abandon you now. I will be praying for you and if you want to talk things over, you can email me at lordi.marianne7@gmail.com I know your pain and I will help you through this. You are never alone for God will always have his people around to help lift you. It is still painful for you but your life still has a purpose. Hold on and let God give you his peace. You will get through this, I promise. And I am here for you if you need to talk. I am praying now!
LikeLike
March 28, 2013 at 11:46 am
thandi
i really needed this encouragement. thank you
LikeLike
May 18, 2013 at 3:23 pm
tiffany
Am so glad i found this site it really helps i been going threw for the last 6 months and its like things are getting worser and worser but this really encourge me i come read this everytime am feeling down thank you so much God Bless
LikeLike
March 3, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Series
Your words are a God send for me. I have been in a struggle for the last four years and have recently made progress but also had a major setback. I’ve questioned why and felt like giving up. Your words have given me some hope and I pray for mustard seed faith to believe that God does care and is working in my best interest.
LikeLike
March 3, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Marianne Bernard
Series, I am sorry that you had a setback but remember that even setbacks have a purpose in God’s plan for your life. No one gets to the top without going through the storms of this life and hanging on trusting and believing that Christ is more than enough. My friend, I will be praying for you. Hold on and read your Scripture to get strength. God’s promises for you are never ending. He knows where he wants to take you to and how to get you there. He has the plan and he won’t fail.
I am always here for you to talk to. You are not alone! Be strong and stay in the race. It will all work out for you. Watch and see the power of your God.
LikeLike