Tell us your good God story

[ChristmasStars]

I love the verse Revelation 12:11

"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."

I feel like testimony of answers to prayer and stories of how God has done things around us, big or small, are so faith building so I thought it would be lovely to have a happy Sunday thread to share some.

Lovely idea.
God has answered my prayers in so many ways.

As a baby my son had dreadful eczema. Nothing seemed to work until he was out on my ( very ordinary C of E) church prayer list. Massive improvement within days!

And less specifically, He has helped me find jobs and places to live and practical things that have all supported my faith journey, in one way or another.

And when things have got tough, as indeed they have, He has always been right by my side. I have no idea how people get through without Him. Thank God for prayer!

I was brought up standard CofE. Pretty passionate about God as a young teen, but struggled with some of the big questions as an older teen and fell away from religion.

Now, the story gets a bit odd. After a very painful divorce due to abuse, I met a lovely man. One of the best humans you could ever meet, but who doesn't know Jesus. He put me on to various interesting humans to read and watch their Youtube videos, through which I found I was increasingly interested again in God.

After Covid restrictions were lifted, I found a lovely church playgroup we went to, and, I'm ashamed to say, spoke really badly of their two minute Christian talk. We did make a connection with a couple of wonderful people there though, who attended the church.

A year after Covid, we had a very terrible family tragedy. I sobbed for hours every time I showered and my DH is still suffering the effects now. However, something (of course, it was God!) told me to go to church. I went off and on for a while, as things gradually settled down. Eventually, I committed my life to Jesus and now make him the centre of my life.

I can't even tell you how much better Jesus has made me. I can't describe the comfort he has offered me. Letting things go, allowing him to have the reins in my life gives me such peace. Friends and colleagues describe me as a 'calming influence' - colleagues want me to be their midwife when they have a baby. All through him.

Beautiful.

I've been a Christian since my late teens and am well into middle age now. I can honestly say with psalm 16 that "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places". Not always smooth, not always what I wanted, and there have been some really tough times but in terms of houses, jobs, husband, children, God has answered lots of prayers.

This blessed me so much. Just lovely to hear how our Lord sought you, and found you.
God is so good. Glory to Him! 🙌🏻

What a lovely thread!

I will add a “God story”.

Some years ago I heard about a woman and her daughter who were coming to a gathering being hosted in a town about sixty miles away from where I lived. I didn’t know anyone involved but the Lord said “Go” so I got in the car and drove to the town. I had no idea where she was going to be or what she even looked like but the Lord impressed on me when to turn left or right and eventually I ended up in a car park in the town. I saw a woman nearby and just knew it was her. So I asked her and it was! I joined with them and the rest of the people they were meeting with that evening.

During our very simple worship (just voices & one guitar) the extremely basic room we had met in became thick with the presence of God and I saw a mist coming down from the ceiling. After the meeting was over no one wanted to go home so we went to the home of a local person who had been present and continued to pray and worship there all night. The thing was it all felt totally normal at the time, it’s only when looking back it seems so out of the ordinary.

Not sure why this story is the one the Lord put in my heart to share here, but when I asked Him what He would have me share this was it. So I pray it will bless and encourage someone, somehow 🙏🏻

What a wonderful night @LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms

There are many wonderful stories to me in the Bible. I must say it can be sad for me to at times.
So much of the Bible can make me laugh at times like the things my Father can me laugh in his wonder and delight and even cheered at tmes like my dropping a stick and it taking out evil. Who wouldn't be thrilled.

There are so parts of scripture tthe Psalms some that speak to me my situation particularly. I like Psalm 27 walking in the light. It is total perfection to me.

Then for a lifetime it must Psalm 139 for God knitted us and knows our ways patterns and before my time. This is perfect for my conditions and with my autism and my ways. I was made to be how I was meant to be. I am now crying it been a few hard days.

Moving on

From a biblical standpoint though what I have been strongly drawn to for a long time is Psalm 193, God the creator weaved us for his purpose which sometimes does not come to light until later life. God knows all our ways

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain..

I have always liked the story of jacob and the rod and the tuggle with God because with my life has had a lot of ups and downs and it is like God has had totake me on at times to have to the final world and as it will be.

Thank youfor starting this post.

My God story (and very much the edited version of) is one that isn't yet finished. I believe that only God can write the ending.

I was drawn into my church after a significant bereavement. There I was cared for, in particular by one key figure there. This person became family to me, and I loved her just as I would love a member of my own family, or a dear friend.
I leant on and trusted her probably more than anybody else. She was my safe person. I also returned the favour on occasions.

Before Christmas, and as a total shock, sh turned on me and hurt me in the worst way she could have in her power. I would have preferred a full punch in the face to the reality. I have since had some context into why it happened, but I cannot get over it. I cannot start to process it.
Yes, I know there are other churches, I know I don't even have to go to church. But I don't want to give up on my church, and even on my friend. I pray for her. I pardon her. But I don't trust her.
She has made some tentative steps to approach me recently and has also been very unwell. I miss her, but at the same time I am afraid of her.
I ask myself and God, when is the cut-off point where you say I know what someone is capable of and I don't like it. Yet Jesus forgave anything. He told us to love one another.

I hope that God is still holding the pen, and has not yet put a full stop.

I keep the quotation from Proverbs close to my heart:
Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

I am trying to care for myself so that I can make choices which are pleasing to God.

Who is a Fire eating breather?
Who can do things like that?
Let’s go the source
Thaat is one of the reasona why I love my God of many wonders and powers.
Pslam 18 for example KJV
“There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by It
This is just a God of wonder and I am just shaking in wonder.

@Notgivenuphope
So sorry this has happened to you 💐
I’ve no simple words because there aren’t any, this is way too deep.

You already know that our Lord has experienced deep betrayal and wounding. He understands.

“When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
John 18:31

He had just quoted from the Psalm where David wrote
“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”
Psalm 41:9

I will pray for you and your situation.
You are wise to take care of your heart and give yourself space to process and begin to heal. May you experience our Lord Himself draw near and comfort you 🙏🏻💕

Sorry that reference was way off 🤦‍♀️
should have been John 13:21.

I find it so strangely reassuring that our Lord has experienced being “troubled” as we so often are.

Thank you so much.
This is what gets me. Jesus was betrayed by those who he loved dearly and yet he went to his cross forgiving. I forgive too, but I can't move on, even now knowing that what happened was not my fault.
I am looking over my shoulder in church, the place I once felt so at ease. The only place in fact. I sit on my own instead of among the others who I love dearly. I don't go and get coffee after. I didn't join in with anything over Advent and Christmas. It is just so sad.

I'm so sorry it has come to this. May I pray for you?

@Notgivenuphope I am so sorry you feel so separated. What struck me reading this is that God wants unity but the devil wants to separate us. Don't let him succeed. Look for someone sympathetic that you could connect with. Does the church have small groups you could join? Can you reconnect with someone you are usually friendly with in the church?

Also the devil is the accuser of the brethren. He will sow seeds of doubt and suspicion in us and we need to reject these.

Romans 16:17 NIVUK
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

With pleasure. But please, for both of us.
We were so close before and I trusted her. I don’t believe she would have done what she did if she wasn’t deeply struggling.

Yes, for both of you.

All very understandable. You have had a shock and a betrayal. Now you’re hyper vigilant. I totally get it.

I’m sure you know that forgiving a person doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship can be restored. You can forgive her past behaviour but keep a ‘safe distance’ from her in future. That’s wisdom.

Praying that, in time, when you’re ready, you will find a way to enjoy church again, and that as you heal from this betrayal you will be able to re-engage with life in the community at church. 🙏🏻💕 xx

Thank you so much.
They do have small groups and I was in 2 of them. I haven't attended since November. I just don't feel I can sit among the others.
I have confided in 2 people at church, but I do not want to be seen gossiping or running someone down. But I also feel I need support.

A weird part of me wants to restore it. But I don’t know what it would take. If I could write the movie script to put it right I don’t know what would be in it.
When I heard she was unwell, I felt the same protective reaction I would have done before. Prior to November, had I heard this I would have wanted to go and help her, and I still did.

Do you have anyone with responsibility for pastoral care at your church? Sometimes a person with a genuine heart for caring for the ‘flock’ can be a help in these sort of situations. I say ‘sometimes’ because sadly, from experience, the people in these sorts of roles are often not there because the Lord called them to this kind of ministry, and consequently they can be worse than useless. You will need to use discernment if you feel you could benefit from seeking help from such a person, if there is one (or a team of them) in your church.

All that being said your instinct to help her and your (partial) desire for restoration seems to me to indicate that this may yet be possible, in time.

I pray the Lord will guide you in the way you should go🙏🏻💕 xx

Sorry for the drip feed - I definitely see what you mean, but the ultimate person persponsible for pastoral care in the church is her! Which is what makes it harder. I feel that not only as my friend, but in her role, she should have known better, she had a duty of care, friendship aside, and should not have acted like that. I can only think she acted with her head and not her training.

There are other people who would be very good listeners. Provided this wouldn't be seen as me 'gossiping' or drumming up support. I have been a picture of dignity since.

Yes, I do still care for her. Which is what is keeping me there I suppose.

Yes, I was afraid of that!

God will make a way for you. As you wait for the way ahead to become clear I would advise you to focus on your personal walk with Him, and dip your toe back into church life, as and when you feel able.

I pray the way will open up before you 🙏🏻💕 xx

I know this hasn’t been posted on for a while but it’s a lovely thread.

I went through a phase where I had really bad sleep paralysis. It was every night for two weeks. I was that terrified I was scared to sleep (I was around 24 at the time). I had experienced it before but never like this. I went to the doctors and they wanted to do a sleep study on me. I still remember the dreams really vividly. I had never been religious (I was actually raised with one of my parents being a witch and who used to read the satanic Bible; I used to read this as a small child as I thought it was a book of spells in the fairy tale sense; not old enough to know what it actually was). I think this went some way to explaining the experiences I had.

anyway, out of desperation I researched prayers online and found a protection prayer. I wasn’t religious and didn’t like religion but I think my sheer desperation made me believe in that prayer somehow. And it worked. It stopped the dreams from the first night. I still have a lot of spiritual attacks but only on the nights I forget to say my prayer. I fully gave my life to Christ in November 2024 after a lot of learning and understanding what I really went through. My dad also became Christian before he passed.

interestingly, my dad became Christian and wanted to write a book about his experiences,transitioning from satanic to Christianity. When he wrote his book he had a vision from the devil who told him “if you publish this book I will wipe you off the face of the earth within one year”. He died almost the year to the day of this dream.

I have had many scary and strange encounters and been to meetings as a child with witches and satanists and I must say it was terrifying.

my husband is also in tv and very well known and was into some dark things via the entertainment industry. We both found Christianity together and it has been a lovely journey. I feel at peace

That's so beautiful @TheSippyCupSociety thank you for posting, and for reviving this thread. I just had a re-read of it.

Your testimony is lovely and powerful @TheSippyCupSociety

I had horrible nightmares constantly as a child. My mother dabbled in occult practices. Many years later, after an encounter with Jesus and becoming a Christian I had some prayer ministry and was set free from some oppressive entities which had been tormenting me.

I remember one day when I first started reading the Bible after I put my faith in Christ I “heard” a horrible voice in my mind say “throw that book in the fire”. The venom with which the words “that book” were said was gut wrenching. Horrified I said no, and literally hugged my Bible! I continued being taught daily by the dear Holy Spirit.

“… giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1.