curious to hear your thoughts

Saints,

I posted a thread some time ago about "my hate for people". Now, I want to preface this by saying that I know some of my attitudes are not entirely Christ-like, which is why it needs to be addressed. I want to know a few things. 1.) Am I entirely out of line for feeling this way? 2.) Am I the only one who has these thoughts? 3.) What are some passages that deal with this that might help me gain insight to a Christ-like attitude?

Essentially, I am tired of people. I believe in the doctrine of election, and sometimes, quite honestly, I feel like, "what is the point?" I know, I know, we are commanded by Christ to go and make disciples and we also don't know who the elect are, but it is frustrating sometimes. I know we are called to be in the world but not of the world. Somtimes, I tire of being in the world. I know I am a sinner too and am just as deserving of eternal damnation like everyone else. I also know there has been nothing on my part that God has elected me; it is only by God's grace.

I guess I just feel like everyone who is not a believer is an enemy. Again, I know this isn't the right attitude. I guess I just feel like anytime I am getting taken advantage of, or even annoyed with someone, they are 9 times out of 10 an unbeliever.

Take for example: my landlord. He is in the office 1 day a week and does nothing! I have killed 4 mice since I moved in back in February, it took me a month to get the things that were broken when I moved in fixed. The apartment was extremely filthy when I moved in and had to clean it myself. Now the alarm in the commons area has been beeping since the middle of the week every two seconds (not easy to fall asleep to). Why can't he be a man of integrity? Do the job I am paying you to do! I don't even want to live in the place anymore because I don't want to deal with these things, but I am stuck in a 1 year contract. I guess I wouldn't expect anything more from an unbeliever.

I am frustrated saints. I know God is sovreign, and I know he has me in these situations to refine me, but I need encouragement. I have been praying about my attitude and about all these things. I have prayed that God would give me favor with my landlord and that he would do his job. I know my wife feels the same way. She doesn't have the same "hate" for people like I do, but she is very tired of the landlord.

Like I said, I know these attitudes are not biblical, but I would like your feedback and prayers. Thank you saints. May the Lord bless all of you.

EDIT: Saints, another concern I need prayer for is my worry. This is another issue I have been struggling with for some time now. It comes and goes. To let you know the specific situation: My wife babysits to help with income for our family and after Monday she will no longer be babysitting b/c the woman she babysits for is having another child! Well, we are losing her income which pays for most of our rent and now that we don't have it, we will be entirely on my income. This is fine because we have a little bit of money saved, and if we are wise, it might not impact us that much. My worry comes when I think about how I will start paying for health insurance beginning in May (my probabtion period with my new company will be over then) and then in July I will need to start repaying my student loans. We are barely making it on what I make now and I'm not set for a raise until January of 2010. We are trying to get out of debt and are on our way, but it is going to become more a little more difficult.

I don't like the fact that we need to depend on my wife's income, so this is good in that sense, but it doesn't make it any easier.

I know God will provide, but I'm sure you can all see why I might worry (even though it is not justified).

I don't want to make my problems seem like they are a big deal, because I know they are not a big deal at all. God will take care of all things. Not to mention there are many who are in a much worse position I am in. Oh, what a weak child I am...

I would recommend you spend some time in
studying I Corinthians Chapter 13 and gaining
an understanding of what love truly means.
Love is unconditional, unselfish. Examine
your attitudes and heart (which you seem to
be doing) and asking GOD to help you change
those attitudes which are not loving and not
like Christ. Be as honest with GOD and your-
self (like you are with us) and trust HIM to
work in your heart and life and let HIM show
you what love truly means.

Can't add much to what sojourner7 said. Besides studying the Bible, you might check out, [url=http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Christian-Ivp-Classics/dp/0830834079/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237592811&sr=8-34]The Mark of a Christian[/url] by Francis Schaeffer. This book is probably what has helped me the most aside from the Bible.

Essentially, I am tired of people. I believe in the doctrine of election, and sometimes, quite honestly, I feel like, "what is the point?"

In order to have the heart of God, we must see all souls as being His. Non-believers are simply God's children that have been captured by the enemy - lost souls that only know what it is to have Satan as their father - souls that were "kidnapped" before they were even born.

It will be your reaction to their ways that will get their attention - it will be them seeing that there is something different about you. You may be the only person that God puts before your landlord that exemplifies who his real Father is - unless he sees that there is a better way, he will not turn. Moses had to see the burning bush before he turned aside to see.

The "point" is that it is highly likely that your landlord will be spending his eternity in the lake of fire - that is, unless he is awakened to the fact that he is dead.

If you see everything as being predetermined, I can see why you are having the problems that you do. For what is the point of doing anything if everything is already done. Christ died on the cross that we might be set free, and those that have been set free have been commissioned to spread the word unto all nations.

It just does not make sense that the Lord would have us do this if everything was already a "done deal."

I will pray that the Lord would soften your heart.

Yes, Heartsong, and I was also praying this morning about the fact that I have an almost completely unsaved family at this point and I love them reguardless of how much they wrong me or treat me. I am pained exceedingly over the rude remarks and treatment and yet love them still because of my knowledge of their present lostness.

The love of God perceives all in that way, and this where I know I still need the continued work of the Holy Ghost. I tend to look at someone as not "worthy" of salvation and forget that while I was yet a GREAT sinner He still loved me. I dealt with a landlord that blasphemed the name of Jesus continually and lied to me many times. I was directed of the Lord to love and submit and yield despite his wronging me.

When Jesus was reviled, he did not answer back, and this is part of the formation of Christ in us. Believe me, everything longed in me to debate and tell him off and plead my case. Not so with the Lord. I let the Lord bind my tongue, and after 5 years of renting from him, the Lord gave me a house and my testimony wasn't ruined.

I have heard enough about people coming to Christ years after the seeds were planted. I want to be remembered as meek and always self examining. Not high minded as if my own goodness saved me. We all can have this happen as the memory of our wicked works fade.

I am blessed that you know your thoughts are wrong. I pray the Lord will teach you to see as He sees them. To the merciful He will show himself merciful.

Oh yes, and about the job and your wife. He will open a door where the other one shuts. I have been walking in faith for my work for almost 6 years now. I do not have a permanent position to fall back on and rely on His faithfulness to provide my temporary work. He is so faithful.

God Bless Brother, Kathleen

fuehrerbe21,
I suspect you are young...welcome to life! That is just the way life is! Sorry, I cannot be more optimistic. On the other hand...you sound tired..have you been getting enough sleep lately?....

Now, will you allow these people define you, manipulate you or are you going to look at them and know that God loves them and that He wants you to demonstrate that love to them? Something to consider...

Ok, now for you...it is essential for you to feel this disgust so you will feel that need for enabling grace from the LORD to cope with life. If you felt adequate you would not need the LORD. If is when we sense our inadequacy that we run to the LORD for his wisdom in knowing how to live and deal with unpleasant situations.

Yes, people are not always nice, or pleasant and it will not change before Christ's return. So, you must resolve you will not be one of those cranks to others!

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Brother I want to encourage you. I remember hearing a message from Zac Poonen saying how we need to be convinced in our minds of the scripture.

A good scripture you can let soak into your mind is "Seek first His kinddom and His righteousness, and all this will be given to you as well."

I'm sure you have read that passage numerous times, and that it's not a new verse to you! But I encourage you to convince yourself in your mind about that verse the Lord spoke to the disciples, and to us.

Meditate on it until you are convinced that God WILL supply everything that you need. Until you are confident in God doing what He said will do. Remember God said He will give us everything we need when we seek Him first. Why should we doubt His love for us.

I can't totally relate to your situation financially, but I hope this brought you some encouragement to you.

-Robin

Praying that God will give you and your wife victory in all of this.

i encourage you to go through these sermons. They will help you in your situation.

God can solve every problem by Zac Poonen

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/1_Water_turned_into_wine.mp3]1_Water_turned_into_wine[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/2_Royal_official%27s_Son_healed.mp3]2_Royal_official%27s_Son_healed[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/3_Lame_man_healed.mp3]3_Lame_man_healed[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/4_Multitude_fed.mp3]4_Multitude_fed[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/5_Walking_on_water.mp3]5_Walking_on_water[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/6_Blind_man%27s_eyes_opened.mp3]6_Blind_man%27s_eyes_opened[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/7_Lazarus_raised_from_the_dead.mp3]7_Lazarus_raised_from_the_dead[/url]

[url=http://www.cfcindia.net/tbsaudio/14_God_can_solve_every_Problem/8_Miraculous_catch_of_fish.mp3]8_Miraculous_catch_of_fish[/url]

I know you will be encouraged by these

Dear fuehrerbe21,

Jesus-is-God has a good point about hymns. If you can fill your mind with songs of prayers and praise there is no room for worry. Sing them and meditate on the words and on the sweet fact that He hears your every thought and feeling and He loves you.

There is one special Bible verse I cherish:

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

And a hymn I have written out on 4x6 cards and carry with me so I can memorize it:
What a Friend we have in Jesus
Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

How wonderful to see so many replies full of encouragement.

white stone

Dear Fuehrerbe21,

My counsel to you is to start with prayer. It appears that you are perceiving your landlord and others without Christ as your enemies; therefore, you must pray for them. Remember who your real enemy is, not flesh and blood, but your old master, the devil. Also remember that "love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God." (1John4:7)

As you pray for these people, God will show you your own heart and He will do a work of turning in your heart. I also commend you for recognizing your struggle and owning that your attitude toward others is not Christlike. We all struggle to love those who come against us. It is a supernatural thing to love them.

Praying that you will have victory in this through Christ. His grace is sufficient.