God who comforts and teaches

[Mave]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share how God refreshed and restored my soul. For the last 2 weeks, I've been feeling down, lonely and disillusioned with everything that I do. I wasn't sure what the reason was. I blamed my research thesis (which I still struggle with) and the annoying people in my life. But I later realized that I had distanced myself from God. My prayer schedule, my quiet time, and Bible reading times were almost non-existent for weeks.

Yesterday, I was drawing manga and asked myself, "Is this what God wants me to do? How can I make Christian manga while my spiritual life is dying?" Suddenly, I felt convicted to stop drawing and to go to my bedroom for quiet time. That was the few instances in my life where I daren't disobey for the conviction was very strong. I did some reading and then fell asleep.

I slept for 10 hours! That was unexpected for I usually only require 5-6 hours of sleep on a daily basis. I believe that God was telling me that I not only needed physical rest, I also needed spiritual rest just as Psalm 23 speaks of.

I came to God this morning and push aside everything else to have quiet time with Him. I poured everything out and prayed for His mercy and Help. I opened the bible and BAM! 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

The Lord was speaking to me and I almost cried. It's been a while since I've heard His voice and I longed for it. I've strayed away and found that the world has nothing to offer me. I've been proud and exalted myself. But it has all left me empty and miserable.

He is the only One that truly comforts. I'm coming back to you Lord. I've been humbled and my hunger for You has been revived. Praise God.

[ClosetOtaku]

Mave,

Thank you very much for this awesome post. I read it early this morning and it inspired me to have a quiet time; I opened my journal and discovered it had been several weeks since my last entry! It's amazing how time flies when your mind is on other less important things.

So, thank you for sharing with us how you got your priorities straight, as it's helped remind me to get my priorities straight, too.

"Man does not need to be taught so much as he needs to be reminded" -- Dr. Samuel Johnson.

[Zane]

Thats kind of how I am feeling or have felt the last few weeks. Reading a book other than the Bible gave me no enjoyment, going to watch a movie wasn't really enticing, and looking at life without God, having know life with God, is nothing, its empty.

I've found that the world really has nothing to offer me in comparision to the companionship of Brothers and Sisters in Christ and a relationship with God. Its like POD sings; "Now that I see you, I can never look away".

And, I'm glad you've found the same thing Mave. Isn't he wonderful.

[sonichiro]

thankyou so much for this, mave. i normally dont go to the testimony forum, but God led me here today to read your post. honestly, i really needed to hear what you were saying and that verse was exactly what God intended for me to see. thankyou so much, you dont know how much i needed this.

[true_noir_chloe]

What a blessing this post was for me to read, Mave. ^___^ It is timely for me now. I'm glad to hear how God is working in your life. I've noticed it recently. ~_^

Also, this is aside, but ClosetOtaku is this quote below from Dr. Samuel Johnson who taught at Dallas Theological Seminary and helped translate the NIV bible?

"Man does not need to be taught so much as he needs to be reminded" -- Dr. Samuel Johnson.

He was my teacher at our Bible church for many years, as well as a man I greatly revered and respected if it is one in the same. ^____^ This quote would be so much like him, if it was.

[K. Ayato]

Thanks for sharing that, Mave. Dealing with the death of my pastor's son, it is truly refreshing to hear what you've shared with us.

[Angel37]

That is so awesome. I'm also currently experiencing a low point in my life so it was nice to be given a reminder of Who's in charge and Who cares the most for me! Thanks so much! And if you ever need someone to talk to, my mail and PM boxes are always open!
<3 Angel

[Mave]

God is faithful even if things don't look like at all.

Yesterday night, I was feeling anxious and fearful because certain things in my life were out of my control. Once again, I didn't feel like doing anything else except to read His word, pray out loudly and listen to Christian music.

Lately, I feel as if God keeps pulling me to Him. Literally. It's weird-funny; I know I'll find peace and grace in His arms and yet I keep resisting His embrace of love. My human flesh is quite stubborn and proud, and I know that's going break my heart eventually.

But I did accept how despair and fear can bring me closer to God. I think He really wants me to surrender the most important things in my life to Him. It's difficult and sometimes it hurts <-- (pride, pride, blasted pride). But I know that I will feel really liberated when I finally let go. Even if it hurts, I know God will always be there to carry me.

[ClosetOtaku]

Also, this is aside, but ClosetOtaku is this quote below from Dr. Samuel Johnson who taught at Dallas Theological Seminary and helped translate the NIV bible?

Alas, no, this is the famous English author and lexiconographer (1709-1784), a little early for the NIV. But your Dr. Johnson sounds like an interesting gentleman as well.