This may sound a bit harsh, however there is some truth in it I think. And I hope some encouragement!
If we are suffering a trial or are in bad circumstances we can get into a double bind. Firstly if we think the 'trial' is from God, ie we have a distorted view of God and secondly we can then sink into self pity. So our prayers to be rescued are based on how bad things are, a kind of, 'look God can you see now how bad things are so will you do something about it'? And if we are not carefull it can all add to an excuse to rebel. Or we can compound it by being hard on others or even the whole of the church, building a case that people don't care. God is very gracious and does rescue us even when we are like this and has rescued me a quite a few times. I departed from the Lord in my teens with something like this going on and I took some rescuing with the Lord showing me in a kind of dream that He still loved me even though I was not living a good life.
So when we are in this situation believing and declaring that God is good is important. We can say it even if we don't feel it. Also it's a long process I guess and growth in our relationship with the Lord will gradually instill this more deeply. For some of us, inner healing through prayer ministry may be needed, because there may be things that need to be dealt with. For example, if you had a disinterested earthly Father you may think that your Father God is disinterested. He's not! He's very interested in you, you are unique and He has a unique love for you, as if you were the only person in the world! He loves you so much, he sings over you!
17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.s
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17
If we are really struggling we can be encouraged that He remains faithfull even if we have little or no faith 2 Timothy 2:13 "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself".
We can also try and move to a place where we can find a verse to hold onto in faith. We can submit to God in our bad circumstances without ascribing the bringing of those circumstances to God. Out of submission we can even thank God for all our circumstances 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Our thanking consecrates these circumstances to God's good purposes. We need to be careful not to miss God's good purposes even in the worst of times!
16 Be joyful always;17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it
Paul seems to suggest we can be joyfull always - I guess in submission and giving thanks we do draw nearer to God and He is amazingly gentle and patience with us. He is waiting with open arms to engulf us with His love. Enjoying this love we naturally begin to want the things He wants, our hearts get in line with His, a kind of happy holiness! http://www.secretplaceministries.org/pages/articles/bickle/god-enjoys-us.html
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