a frightening thing that happened last night to me (Full Version)

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switchplate12 -> a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/8/2008 1:04:22 PM)

Ok, there was a very bad thunderstorm last night where we live. the rain was coming down hard and there were terrible bolts of lightening in the sky. I was running errands, the rain go so bad, that I pulled into the drive-thru canopy of a bank that was closed to get out of the wind and rain. by this time, it was coming down hard and the roads were dangerous. it was about 10:00 PM. So, I am sitting in my car watching the lightening like I've never seen before, striking the ground and it didn't seem too far away. I was listening to a bob Dylan Cd, and in the wind and rain and lightening, it was beginning to creep me out. I shut off my cellphone as I didn't want it to ring. The lightening was crashing all around. I began to think,"why doesn't it strike me?" It seems to be striking everywhere, and I keep thinking the next bolt is for me!

So, I pulled out my little Bible and began to read 2 Peter. This only made me feel more worse! I began to feel very alone, no phone, stuck in a drive-thru in the pouring rain, lightening striking, thunder rolling, no friends, no music, no guitars, etc.

So the feelings were like separation from what I like and love, and the longer I sat there the worse it got. I began to pray, but then the fear got worse. It kept feeling like soemthing was happening in m y mind and that I was crashing, does that make sense?

Fear, panic and anxiety poured through me. The lightening continued flashing through the night. I kept trying to reassure myself with the simple Gospel truths, but this deep inner sense of sinfulness made me feel unworthy to even think about Christ, as though I knew I was lost or had lost my salvation.

Now, my social life lately has not been the best. I have been spending time in bitterness towards some Christians over financial things, and also been spending time with my girlfriend who is not saved, so I am struggling.



kyl -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/8/2008 2:15:00 PM)

Switchplate I believe sometimes we need a reminder to get back on the right path.
Or maybe a little warning that we are in danger of getting off the path.
Be thankful that the Lord is showing you something and make the changes that you need to.
It may be as simple as letting go of the bitterness you have been feeling.
The roots of bitterness are always destructive
Bitterness can affect every area of your life,and every relationship before you realize it.
Spend some time in prayer and talk to the Lord about everything.
I am sure you and the Lord will get your life back where you feel safe in your walk with the Lord.

quote:

Psalm 139
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.



deermousie -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/8/2008 2:56:37 PM)

Lightning is really scary; no criticism from me. Those loud bangs make my nervous system want to turn itself instantly inside out!

Recognize, however, the panic flooding you was probably of a spiritual nature. The Bible says that Satan controls people through the fear of death (and a direct strike could ruin your day, but wasn't likely under cover and in a car like you were), but it also tells us this great news:

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

So that's how I figure it was a spiritual attack. It wasn't reasonable that you were really in danger (a sound mind tells you that).

Satan hates the name of Jesus. When we resist Satan, he HAS to flee. So when things catch me off guard, I try to remember to say something like this: "Nice try, but it didn't work. In the name of Jesus, buzz off." It's a double whammy.

Re-evaluating our lives is always a good thing, especially in the light of Scripture:

-Your social life isnt' the greatest. 1 Pet.1:22 says to fervently love the brethren. Go bless them somehow.

-You have bitterness; deal with it. Hebrews 12:15, Ephesians 4:31. Bitterness puts you in danger, so using your sound mind you'll find out what the danger is and deal with it.

- You're dating a non-Christian. Dating is preparation for marriage, and God commands us to not be unequally yolked with unbelievers. Dating is also great preparation for divorce, and can easily be a precursor for sexual involvement. Do something about this.

-You're struggling. OK, we all struggle, but God has already won the battle. Get a mature Christian to counsel you and find out where you could be standing and what decisions you need to make so you're in cahoots with God and have peace.

-Your fear made you feel unworthy of God. Primo spiritual attack! Here's my "mantra" when this stuff hits the fan: "I am a sinner, worthy of death and hell, but Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and set me free of guilt and death. He wrote my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. Thanks, Jesus, for loving me and giving me Your righteousness. The devil can go sit on a tack."

The story is told of Martin Luther waking up one night to see the devil standing next to his bed. Luther said, "Oh, it's just you," rolled over, and went back to sleep. It's my goal to be that kind of Christian. Luther knew his Bible, and so can we.

And the devil can go sit on a tack. God bless, brother in the Lord! Take it on!



1love1God1way -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/8/2008 3:12:11 PM)

The moment Martin Luther's life changed was in a thunderstorm as well. Great realizations and self-searching apparently comes through these storms.



deermousie -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/8/2008 4:11:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way

The moment Martin Luther's life changed was in a thunderstorm as well. Great realizations and self-searching apparently comes through these storms.


I'd forgotten about that. Good one, Ben!



AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/9/2008 12:39:03 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way

The moment Martin Luther's life changed was in a thunderstorm as well. Great realizations and self-searching apparently comes through these storms.


Yeah I was thinking that very same thing. I would like to add one thing. You can not lose your salvation (that is if you have it). So if you are truly born again, your salvation is sealed forever. If you notice in revelation everything that has been sealed by God, only Jesus Christ can open that seal. So your salvation is secure in him.



kmangel -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/9/2008 10:41:03 AM)

I think God is allowing you to have an image of what it would be like to live forever without Him. That's not a bad thing. Perhaps you had never really considered what your salvation is saving you from or never really understood it until the night of the storm. It's good to have a sense of what separation from God means. There are many lost right now and don't know what separation from God means or have any fear of it. We all are just precisely where God wants us to be with a circle of friends and acquaintances that don't yet know Jesus. Don't let this event frighten you. Realize that with Jesus you won't have to face eternity without Him. You can use this example in talking to people--how it felt to you and that you are saved from eternal separation. It's a story people will be able to relate to.



rcjames -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/9/2008 10:54:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: switchplate12
I was listening to a bob Dylan Cd, and in the wind and rain and lightening, it was beginning to creep me out. .


Well Dylan and a thunderstorm could well create a frightening experience.[8D]

quote:

Now, my social life lately has not been the best. I have been spending time in bitterness towards some Christians over financial things, and also been spending time with my girlfriend who is not saved, so I am struggling.


Unforgiveness will cause one to be turned over to the tormentors.

(Mat 18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

(Mat 18:35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Might be a good time to really seek Christ, be obedient about forgiveness and bitterness, and introduce your girlfriend to Christ.

Thanks
RC



seagullplayer -> RE: a frightening thing that happened last night to me (6/9/2008 1:10:31 PM)

What RC said, unforgiveness leads to trouble:

(1Jn 2:9) He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

(1Jn 2:10) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

(1Jn 2:11) But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.



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