AnglicanJohn

I read the Bible as much as I can. I get a bit cautious about the concept of suffering. There is suffering for sufferings sake and suffering for your belief, or righteous suffering. I haven't worked out if there is a difference between the two and Im still going. I know Proverbs 22:3, KJV A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. To me that says you shouldn't put yourself in danger, you shouldn't suffer needlessly. But of course I know that the Lord can use bad times to educate, James 1 speaks of this, NIV "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." I know I should be grateful that there will be good times afterwards, but at the moment, I don't know what God wants me to do, for all I know he could be telling me to get out. But I do know Im struggling to cope. I don't mind suffering, but it would be nice to have some respite every now and again. But I will keep turning to God, I will keep asking for help, I will keep reading the Bible, and while I don't get it right all the time, I will keep asking and I will never turn away from him. John

So is trial and tribulation used purely to teach, or should Christians expect years of turmoil and torment?

Thanks Beefche. Sorry for not being of the faith. I have long admired it though and wished for a long time I would have a calling for it. The reason for posting here was to try and get an LDS perspective on how you guys deal with these kind of issues, whether you even face the same kind of issues or not as the rest of the Christian world, especially surrounding the Holy Spirit and Suffering. You guys really do seem to have it so much better, I was wondering if God was wanting me to step in another direction in terms of faith.

Thank you all for your replies, especially to rame, that really spoke volumes to me. To Marty, just to clear up, I don't doubt the Holy Spirit in my life, but I think I can say that I personally am not in a stage where I can hear him. I was expecting life to get easier after becoming a Christian, that Jesus would be a literal shield, armour, and that the Holy Spirit would shout at me if I was about to do something wrong and guide me in the truth, and that is all Im seeking. I actually got turned on to the LDS faith initially many years ago, but Moronis promise never rang true for me, and all the prayer I gave to God and sincerest searching never said a word to me. After much searching, someone said just pick a church and Go, so I picked one I didn't much care for and didn't look back, I was filled with a sense of purpose, and passion, devotion. I think Satan has tried holding me back because I do remember one day feeling really depressed and doubtful and praying and all that funk lifted. Now I am determined that my faith will not be rocked, but Im beginning to wonder whether Christians are destined for a life of torment on Earth and turning the other cheek and doing otherwise would almost be blasphemy and not recognising the wonderful gifts in heaven. One more question, what do LDS people do about distractions? Suffer them or embrace them? John

Hello LDS Friends, Unfortunately I think I have inadvertently broken one of the site rules by signing up with a new profile. I have done this to keep some things private and I hope you understand when you read my post. Last year I was confirmed into the Anglican faith and the experience has been amazing for me. However this year has been a struggle. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong. My mood has faltered and I still fail to hear the holy spirit guiding me and directing me. I feel pretty lousy at the moment with everything on top of me, I don't know which way to turn. I also have problems at work, not of my own making, just various problems, made worse by a manager who is inconsistent in his approach that you don't know whether you're coming or going. I don't feel like staying, but my career is ruined where I work and people around me tell me how stupid it is to leave work without something else to go to, especially in this economic climate. I come to various passages in the Bible talking about the benefit of work, how being happy at work is a gift from good, and how a prudent man sees danger and seeks refuge. Is it stupid to stay in a job that is killing you, or is it stupid to leave knowing you will have no income. I also believe that my job is detrimental to my faith in that when I get home, Im so mentally exhausted, I don't have time for a lot except to unwind. It worries me that I still cannot hear the still small voice guiding me and telling me what to do, stay and learn, or trust in God and quit. This brings me to the purpose of the post and honest question to those of the LDS faith. I know the LDS seem to have a very secure relationship with the holy spirit. Im not doubting God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in any way, just my ability to hear. Im scared that I feel nothing after being confirmed in a non-LDS faith. For all I know, this could be normal. For LDs, what does the Holy Spirit do to you? Can you discern him quite easily? Does he guide 100%? Does he maintain you and keep you happy? In terms of bad, abusive situation where no amount of assertiveness or love will help, do the LDS still follow a love your enemy approach and suffer torment for it? Or do you see danger, perhaps an uncompromising and unwilling spirit and do you get out of the situation? What does the Holy Spirit tell you to do in these situations? I would love to know your thoughts. John