I see this a lot, there are those that, "walk the walk," & those that only, "talk the talk." There is a difference. Standing in, "The Fire," of God, is not easy. For many the path is not narrow, they take the easier road. I think that is the difference & why many fall through the cracks. The ones that are will to stand, "In the Fire," do suffer likely much more than those that do not. They are also ones that tend to be made fun of & ridiculed (as Jesus was). It's not easy being a Christian & living by His Word. Prays answered may be realized in Heaven, not always seen in the flesh. The world as it is is a top/down functioning & is about to be shaken further (I believe) so that which is TRUE (God & His Ways) are revealed.

(10-17-2011 09:02 PM)DD Wrote:  Life is hard! Sure, some have it better and easier than others, but everyone goes through their own trials and tribulations at some point in their life.

I have had people ask me, why dosen't God answer my prayers when I have been persistently praying and seeking him for a long period of time? I don't pretend to know the mind of God, I can only give my theory. I know that everybody's personal experience with God seems to be a bit different.

Some people seem to get their prayers answered before they can get off of their knees and stand up, while others have to wait years! What all these people have in common is, regardless of the time frame, their prayers "do" get answered if they don't give up. I know it doesn't seem fair, but God gives us exactly what "he alone" knows we need.

No one likes to go through hard times and no one likes to hurt, but it truly is the low points in our lives that define "who we are", and makes us a better person mentally, physically and spiritually.

I'll give you a perfect example: (especially if you live here in the United States) I don't know what it's like now days, but some years ago, if you joined the Marine Corp, you quickly discovered that it was a little more than joining a club and wearing a fancy uniform.

You would be shipped to Paris Island to begin basic training. There you would be called a maggot and a turd (among other titles), you would be informed that it doesn't matter what race or color you are, you are "equally worthless"! Your physical and mental abilities would be pushed to the limit daily, if not the "breaking point".

Many young people would ask themselves after only one week "God, What am I doing here, I'm miserable?" Some can't make it, but for those who stick it out, come graduation day, they will look you in the eye and proudly say "I'm a Marine!" You will not find even one person who will say "I wish I had never joined" or "It was a waste of time".

They are all part of an elite group. They're glad they went through the hell of training because they know it made them a better person. These are the ones that didn't quit!

I don't know how long God will allow you to go through the private hell you've been going through, I just know that you will be a better person, husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter or citizen when you finally step out of it. When you finally come through, you'll proudly say: "I'm a child of the King who favors me - Whatever I ask, I will receive". (If you don't quit!)

You may be feeling down right now, but I want you to know, if you stay the course, it's not a question of "If" God will answer your prayer, but "when". Hang in there!

DD