Posted on 09/24/2001 11:11:46 AM PDT by Scythian
I am a Christian but I am still afraid, especially for my young children. I know that it is difficult to find the US in biblical prophecy, especially in the end times. Could it be that we simply don't exist? I fear that is the answer.
Maybe the beast that rises out of the sea in revelation is not the UN but Terrorism, different from the others beasts is it not? There is no way the US can protect itself from biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, we haven't the will to fight political correctness and evict our enemies.
As terrible as this sounds, I'm afraid, I mean really afraid, it's effecting my ability to concentrate and work. Forgive me for posting this.
We have Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins for U. S. Senators and John Baldacci for U. S. Rep.
This is small potatoes compared to that burden!
"There are no 'IFs' in God's Kingdom. His timing is perfect; His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will! Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it."
Know that you're not alone. I am really disgusted with some of the posters here who are blaming "the church" for your fear. Man (and man's "religion") can cause fear and chaos. But our God is the God of order and calm. The only true peace in this whole mess comes from the Lord. I know it's hard to focus on Him when all this is going on, especially when you have kids to worry about. I have had a hard time understanding how He could allow this to happen, etc...
But our thoughts are not His thoughts, and our ways are not His ways. Someday, we will understand everything, but not now.
My suggestion to you would be to turn off your TV, unplug the phone, take a long, hot bath, put the kids in their jammies, order a pizza, and read a ton of fun stories together. The enemy wants you to be afraid. I believe this war is not only physical, it is spiritual.
Faith takes courage; always has, always will.
That's what makes the real thing extrememly difficult to acquire; as courage in & of itself is a virtue.
Sounds like you need to set-aside some time to do a bit of serious soul searching.
There's no better time for that, than right now.
I, too, am afraid. I awake at nights in a cold sweat with nightmares about double-knit polyester leisure suits coming back into fashion. I share your pain. Some fears just won't go away...you just have to learn to ignore their lurking presence.
Good Luck.
Those who are preaching the doom and destruction sermon are doing absolutely NOTHING to further the love of Christ. Granted this attack may have fallen under the title 'God's Will', but the 'preachers' are presenting a really strong case that God cares not a whit about His Christians or their states of mind. They offer the 'judgement' but no hope. There's very little edification of The Body. Instead one is to believe that The Body is some scrawny form with only certain parts allowed. At those times, it's good to immerse yourself in The Word. God Himself will speak to you. And His Holy Spirit will speak to your heart. And no matter HOW well-intentioned the 'preachers' are, it STILL comes down to a personal relationship with Jesus, you and Him. No one else. He will speak to you in words meant only for YOU. He will use a language that is understandable for you and between you 2. He IS aware of the kids you have charge over, and KNOWS your heart's fears. He can soothe those fears also.
I know it's hard but if you have time to be alone without the kids around, use it as your 'prayer closet' time. 'Fall apart' in 'front of' the Lord. You ain't gonna be doing or saying anything He's NOT already aware of with you! You'd be amazed at how quickly and lovingly He'll pick you up, His kid, and put ya back together!
To suggest that the end is planned and "seen" contradicts the FACT the humans have a FREE WILL.
Don't bother responding for any debate. As Bush said. "These are not open to discussion or negotiation!"
As Plato swiped from Aristotle, the philosopher Elders swiped from from philosopher Red Skelton, who spake thus (in the olden times, before Elders knew how to do you-know-what):
"I don't take life too seriously. None of us is going to survive it, anyway."
"As terrible as this sounds, I'm afraid, I mean really afraid, it's effecting my ability to concentrate and work. Forgive me for posting this."
I'll try and forgive you...
Seriously, you don't need a political forum. You need some serious couch time to get over that "Do we really exist?" issue. Just remember what an old psych teacher once asked: "Is this a piece of chalk in my hand, or is it just your perception of a piece of chalk?" This kind if philosophical circle talk will drive you bananas.
"Yes, Virginia, there really is a 'you.'"
Be strong Scythian. If it makes you feel any beter, know that these maniacs have succeeded in creating more fear within their own country than ours. American citizens aren't the ones running like hell toward the borders by the millions.
We need to be brave now, inspite of our fears. This is not the first time our nation has faced uncertainty. We came through WWII alright and that was a dark time for us. (keep up your Prayers, we all need them). I will leave you with a quote from Winston Churchill:
"WITHOUGHT MEASURELESS and perpetual uncertainty the drama of human life would be destroyed."
I am firmly convinced that the way to win the spiritual batlle is through scripture, prayer, and action. Once you recognize you are under a spiritual attack, rather than thinking you are losing your mind, it is easier to combat it.
...Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill,
God's Truth abideth still.
His Kingdom is forever!
The fact is America has changed forever, it will never be the same, because of our immigration policies, there will always now be an attendent risk to living here, and each person must examine that fact and decide to stay or take their finances and go. I don't intend to make any judgements on whatever a person decides.
I agree with those who believe we are in the end times. If I live a good long life, am able to see my yet-to-be born grandchildren graduate college, then die, it won't change my opinion one whit.
From when I first became acquainted with prophecy in the 60's until now, things that we couldn't imagine THEN are all coming to pass.
I'll share these verses with you: "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water."
2 Peter 3:3-5, NIV
Maranatha
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