Is it possible to change who you are?

[babylonrising]

This is a strange question.... Is it possible to change who you are? A long time ago, I wasn't a "follower" of Christ. I believed, but certainly didn't lead the lifestyle.
After trying to lead the Christian life, and doing an ok job of it, I am sick of getting screwed over by the non-christians of the world. I know that we are supposed to wait and have faith that God will "protect" us. I don't want protection. I want to take things into my own hands and beat the crap out of a couple people.
I'm sick of the non-believers having thier way. Sick of the lies, the backstabbing, and the ungodly going without their due punishment.
I've walked away from so many issues dealing with the ex-wife that sometimes I think the "old" John never existed at all. I am starting to think the "Old" me fared much better in life than this person I've become.
Have you ever been sick of being screwed over? Ever been sick of feeling like God doesn't have your back? It amazes me that God will allow those that don't believe in him to have the world seemingly at their fingertips.
Someone at my work gave me these words of encouragment; "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord". I don't want Vengeance. I want revenge for living a literal hell for the past 2 years. For having everything I owned stripped from me. For walking away from fights and arguments that i would not have walked away from before becoming a Christian.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. I want to get rid of the pain and frustration by taking/making some of my own.
See, I had to deal with my ex cheating on me. Many people here know the story. Now, I have to deal with the ex's fiance and friends as well. They are constantly wanting to start fights, as is my ex. They are all drug users, mostly meth.
I am SOOOOOOOOO sick of being the "christian" and walking away. When does God step in and defend his people? I am starting to think the answer is never.

[SeaDreamer]

I am starting to think the "Old" me fared much better in life than this person I've become.

But the new you will fare much better in eternity.

Having said that, I understand your frustration all too well. Two books have helped me tremendously.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn--this book will get very excited about heaven.

When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada--she takes a hard look at suffering and asks the tough questions that we all wonder in secret and looks at what the Bible has to say about it.

[HeIsEnough]

I am starting to think the answer is never.

That is not a strange question at all. And the short answer is, we are to be obedient, even unto death. Sorry, that does not make it any better. But, consider this:


Hebrews 1:9
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."


Even in the midst of every bit of pain and suffering imaginable, there remains hope and joy. Jesus never lost His joy, and after tasting a little of it for myself, I can see why, even if it is the equivalent of a speck of what He had. There is a walk that we do, one that leads us to a highway that the wicked do not journey on.


Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Keep seeking His kingdom brother, the Lord will lift you up in due time. I know that it is painful, but it is true. As you draw closer to Him through His word and supplications for everyone and everything, the pain becomes more bearable, even removed. It literally took what Christ did and suffered to bring us to glory. It may very well take no less for us, to help those whom the Lord wants to talk to. Shalom

[LaMontre]

This is a strange question.... Is it possible to change who you are? A long time ago, I wasn't a "follower" of Christ. I believed, but certainly didn't lead the lifestyle.
After trying to lead the Christian life, and doing an ok job of it, I am sick of getting screwed over by the non-christians of the world. I know that we are supposed to wait and have faith that God will "protect" us. I don't want protection. I want to take things into my own hands and beat the crap out of a couple people.
I'm sick of the non-believers having thier way. Sick of the lies, the backstabbing, and the ungodly going without their due punishment.
I've walked away from so many issues dealing with the ex-wife that sometimes I think the "old" John never existed at all. I am starting to think the "Old" me fared much better in life than this person I've become.
Have you ever been sick of being screwed over? Ever been sick of feeling like God doesn't have your back? It amazes me that God will allow those that don't believe in him to have the world seemingly at their fingertips.
Someone at my work gave me these words of encouragment; "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord". I don't want Vengeance. I want revenge for living a literal hell for the past 2 years. For having everything I owned stripped from me. For walking away from fights and arguments that i would not have walked away from before becoming a Christian.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. I want to get rid of the pain and frustration by taking/making some of my own.
See, I had to deal with my ex cheating on me. Many people here know the story. Now, I have to deal with the ex's fiance and friends as well. They are constantly wanting to start fights, as is my ex. They are all drug users, mostly meth.
I am SOOOOOOOOO sick of being the "christian" and walking away. When does God step in and defend his people? I am starting to think the answer is never.

Brother, I feel your pain, I want you to know that, and I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I have come to the conclusion that the knowledge which this particular Psalm brings regarding what will happen to the wicked, far outweighs any temporal revenge you might enjoy in this life. I don't believe in delighting in the suffering of the wicked, but this scripture is here to encourage you, right now;

Psa 37:1 <A Psalm of David.> Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Psa 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psa 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psa 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Psa 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Psa 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Psa 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
Psa 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Psa 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
Psa 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
Psa 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Psa 37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Psa 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Psa 37:32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Psa 37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Psa 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psa 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Just relax brother! I know you don't wanna hear that right now, but the Spirit of the Lord will confirm this word for you.....let us know about it when he does.

Amen?:nod :thumb

[FireQuest]

B.R.---- We can't change ourself, only the Lord can do that for us through the process of sanctification.As I grow closer to the Lord, I'm finding a deeper pesce, a greater satisfaction knowing (and learning) to trust and rest in Him. I'm glad that I cannot change myself: I'm, so glad that the one who can change me is doing just that----for His glory and my benefit. As "pat" as this may sound, brother, keep your eyes on Him, and try not to look at the unfortunate situation you are in. It's so much better to trade your frustration for His great peace. He will take care of all in His good time. Blessings! :):

[His Child]

I was just reading Psalm 11,and it really gave me a sense of strength and peace about some situations that I'm also dealing with in my life right now,maybe it can be help you also? :):
Take care.

[ub4war]

whoa there friend---consider this--------1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye

i am not calling you names but here is another verse-----
and never question the lord--------

20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:


If you want to hurt people you have not progressed far enough in your walk with God---if Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to a cross like a dog for these people than who are you or any of us to question Jesus opinion that these terrible people you want to beat up were wortht his sacrifice?

consider---Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Jesus gives a new heart----Pray for them--ask God to soften their hearts

friend i know your new so heres some more vereses---oh ya and you lost eveything did you? Good----Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass

and consider this too cause you sound a little like jonah----Jonah 4
1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

5So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

6And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

7But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

9And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

10Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

if ya need help pm me:):

[4everHis]

I guess until you walk a mile in your shoes, it's difficult to totally understand your situation.
Rather than being involved in or around all the fighting and fussing, I hear the Lord clearly telling you to come out from under all of that.

The Lord DOES have your back as well as your best interests.
I see that he is telling you to not argue fuss and fight with ex's and so called friends and neighbors etc. Come out from all that and meet new friends and change your life.
Just simply refuse to be involved with the old and welcome the new that the Lord has waiting for you.