I didn't come to Jesus because my life was bad

Q:  I have everything and turned to God.

I’m not a newly converted Christian but am returning to the Lord and to live a biblical way of life. But I’ve always felt like I struggle to deeply connect with the Lord.

Something I think a lot about is God's loving care for the weak and those suffering. I see that He moves in the lives of people who struggle and have problems.

I come from an upper middle class family, I’ve never wanted for anything. I live in a first world country. I have a strong loving family unit. I have been blessed with good jobs throughout my life, been blessed with owning a house etc. I’ve never really had job, financial, work, sickness, death, disability etc problems that so many Christians have to go through (yet thankfully).

Although I am very aware of the fact I have had a blessed with an “easy” life, and I am eternally grateful. Yet I tend to always think I don’t really have challenges in my life, and worry is that because God is not working in me. Am I in no mans land, am I actually saved if these trials don’t seem to come to me?

My mother always said “when you getting closer to the Lord, watch how Satan turns your life upside down”. My life has never been upside down, so I wonder…if am I actually God's child, why am I not struggling with what many other Christians go through?

I do thank God every day for what I have been given and how He has provided for me and that I am not in the situation so many find themselves in. And that I haven’t actually had a proper valley of serious turmoil to walk through (I’m 38 years old). I do pray it never happens, but knowing God works through trials to strengthen the bond with Him. How is that going to happen with me and if I’ve gotten to nearly 40 and never had issues of dependence, financial strife, family pain etc am I actually on His path? It may well be those times are coming, but I often wonder why I have it “so easy” in comparison to most people... and what that means for my salvation, relationship and connection with God.

Is there something wrong, am I not actually saved (which I don’t believe), or is it just the blessing of the children of the righteous (my mother who has a very strong, decades long relationship with Christ)? I don’t know how to get answers to this, I’m also scared that if I ask God why these things haven’t happened to me, He may start sending them and that’s kept me in limbo of not knowing for a very long time.

A: As someone who always had hardships incl not having "all the things you had", (not jealous or ungrateful about it since I know God provides basics what we need here, & these troubles wont be in eternity. It will he a blessed place). 

...Just know he has plans for everyone, just as Abraham and lydia who had money, stability, and a known reputation. Perhaps he has given you financial stability so as His servant you use that money wisely for Him and to bless ithers. In NT those "who had" gave sacrificially to help those believers who didnt & were in need in the local church, and gave to mission funds. (1)

We dont fully know why God gives smooth sailing to some and allows lots of turmoil to other believers - just as with the unsaved. But for believers, we know He works everything out for good. He uses it for varied reasons, incl. drawing closer to Him, seeking comfort in him, and the result of it leads to growth, & praise, glory to Him  - and includes testimony to help others who are suffering. To sympathize, encourage believers or to lead unsaved people around us to Christ.

I would say that as a believer, as you grow in faith and stand more on biblical truth... the world will hate you. Be prepared you may lose your job. Be prepared for persecution when you speak truth, and share the Gospel. Those things will come to those who follow Christ. So perhaps you haven't really put yourself out there, or spoke on biblical truths, or experienced persecution from others for sharing the biblical Gospel. Believers will at least experience this.

Ray Comfort jokes he wont sing certian songs at church like "break me mold me make me" cuz he doesnt want such troubles 😂. I dont blame him. But suffering exists in this world and...God will bring us through things for growth and a closer walk with Him. Trusting and obeying even to laying down our life.

We don't come to Christ for a life with no problems, we come to Him for righteousness, to be with Him eternally... and also to escape the wrath to come. 

To answer the other question... to get a close relationship with God - it comes by reading Scripture [& it comes/grows over time]. When we learn more we gain a deeper understanding of who He is as well as what he does in believers lives.

Just follow Him and go where he leads. 😊

Related Resources
Getting to know God more
Resources for Believers

Footnote:
(1) Here are a few ideas:

Ministries you can financially support:
*Your church missionaries/STM team
*The needy at your church (including the Decons fund, widows, those with housing $ needs, etc. See the Pastor).

*Donate $ to church members who have need due from health issues, disesses or cancer bills/expenses they cant afford to pay. 
*Special opps at church; scholarships for poor and lower middle class 7th to HS to attend Christian camp.  Or funds for VBS needs.
*LivingWaters.com
*Wretched.org
*GTY.org

You can put aside money every month and every year for these helps as "a steward of God's money" which hes entrusted you with, for the ministering to others. 

Time & Resources:

You can also use your time to help anyone in the church who needs helps such as prepped foods for new moms, injured members, those with physical or health issues or loss in the family. You can also help transport them places, take the kids overnight for those in such situations who have no family or none nearby. You can also do similar things for elderly in the church. Even as a servant helpibg with stuff around their home. 

What we have should be used for blessing believers, not just for ourselves.

Hope this helps.

God bless

An Eternal Investment Strategy