Hello from Minnesota you can call me JJ.
Put unsure for title because back in 83, as a 17 year old asked the Father to forgive me of my sins and accept Jesus sacrifice for me. My first few years as a believer were great, but the last 35 years have been one nightmare after another.
Hi JJ, how's Minnesota? The UK's a bit cold at the mo.
Can I tell you a joke?
Maurice is in the last hours of his life, holding Esther's hand as he gasps for breath. He tells her:
'My darling Esther, we've been married 40 odd years and you've always been by my side, faithful to the end. You stood by me when our house burnt down and even when we discovered that the insurance had lapsed. You stood by me faithfully when my company went bust and the bank foreclosed and I went bankrupt. Even when I got arrested by the fraud squad and did a 5 year stretch in jail, you faithfully waited for my release. And now, here I am dying of cancer, you're here by my bedside. Esther, something I never realised before: ever since we met - YOU'VE BEEN A JINX !!!'
There's a few in here that'd relate to what you're saying, all I'd say is don't lose faith but keep on. If God has to make your life 'happy' to keep you on board, you'll be disappointed. God doesn't promise you a beautiful life, minted and with a spiralling career pattern. If that's what you want join a prosperity church but prepare to be deflated.
Jesus did promise you, you would be rich if you follow Him but He wasn't talking bank balances or investments, no He was talking a state of mind or being, something He can give you through His Holy Spirit, something that Jeff Bezos couldn't even afford a down payment on. An indescribable experience and appreciation of God, the comfort of knowing that whatever's going on around you, He's in control of every minute detail and that you have His promise of a mansion in Heaven when you're finished down here. If you want a better idea of the contrast of living in the world's hamster wheel and in communion with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, read the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5 - 7 and on the subject of wealth focus on Matthew 6:19-34.
So if since finding Christ and becoming a Christian your life has tumbled from crisis to catastrophe, instead of telling God, you've jinxed me, rather rejoice that He's there with you, getting you through and one day you'll be with Him for ever. Better than that thank God for the difficulties you're facing, it's God's test so whatever you do, don't hand your paper in early, rather work your way through the test with God's help Romans 5:3-10.
Finally, get into the habit of praising, loving and adoring God. Thank you God for ......
(endless list) I love you God because ....
( another endless list) .... You are brilliant God because ....
(and another). That's what He wants and deserves and will reward you richly.
God bless you JJ. Hope and pray everything works out for you.