One of the most pressing questions that we Christians must grapple with is the issue of pain and hardship.

If God is good, then why does He allow such things to happen? 

This is a question that has been asked by believers and non-believers alike for millennia.

And it is one that continues to trouble us.

First and foremost, it is important to acknowledge that pain and hardship are real and difficult experiences that many of us have to go through.

Whether it is physical pain, emotional pain, or the pain of loss, these experiences can be incredibly difficult to bear. 

It is natural to ask why we must endure such trials, especially when we believe in a loving and compassionate God.

What everyone must understand, however, is that God did not create a world full of pain and hardship. 

In the beginning, everything was good.

But sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. 

This disobedience caused a separation between humanity and God, which resulted in the pain, hardship, and brokenness that we see in the world.

However, just because sin is the cause of pain and hardship does not mean that God lacks the power to intervene.

God has done everything possible to restore our relationship with Him and to redeem the world from the effects of sin. 

This is why He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to undergo the crucifixion for our sins.

Through Jesus, we have the hope of living eternally and the assurance that one day pain and hardship will be eradicated.

In the meantime, we must remember that God is with us in our hardships and that He can use even our most difficult experiences for good.

As Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

We must stay strong.

Are You Too Nice of a Christian?

As Christians, we are called to love and serve others.

As it is written in the Bible: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

We are taught to be kind, compassionate, and understanding.

However, there is a fine line between being kind and being too nice.

Being too nice can actually be harmful to both ourselves and the people around us. 

When we are too nice, we often put the needs and wants of others before our own.

And this can lead to feelings of resentment and burnout…even if we don’t realize it right away.

Additionally, when we are too nice, we can often run away from difficult conversations and situations. 

We may not confront someone about their behavior or even stand up for ourselves.

This is how unresolved issues are made.

That’s why we should always be direct and honest.

It doesn’t mean that we should be rude or attacking.

We can still be kind and compassionate.

But if you are too nice, how can you even begin to do that?

Well, this is the reason I’m writing this Christian Blog article.

I’ve gathered several ideas you can follow to continue living according to God’s will without putting other people’s needs before your own:

1. Set boundaries.

It’s important to understand that you have the right to say no and to have your own needs and wants.

2. Communicate effectively. 

When someone is crossing your boundaries or you are feeling taken advantage of, it’s important to speak up and communicate your feelings.

3. Take care of yourself.

Make sure you are taking care of your own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

We are responsible for our health. And we should take care of ourselves just like we take care of our loved ones.

4. Stand up for yourself and others. 

Jesus stood up for the marginalized and oppressed, as it is written in Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” 

We can do the same by speaking up and stepping forward when we see injustice.

As Christians, we can sometimes forget about our own needs and wants.

But we should be compassionate towards ourselves, just as we do with others.

So don’t fall for the “nice trap”, and always remember these 4 tips.

How Many Calories Do You Need To Survive?

Did you know that the average person needs just about 1200-1500 calories to survive?

It’s true. Researchers have found that we don’t need as much food as most people think to keep ticking over.

But let’s not become too excited, folks.

That’s just for pure survival

For your basic physiological functions like breathing, heart beating, and maintaining temperature.

This is essentially what you need to stay alive.

If you are a prepper, then you know that surviving is not the same as thriving.

When you’re trying to make it through a tough situation.

Whether it’s a natural emergency or some other type of situation

You’re not just going to be lying around.

You’ll be active.

You’ll be under stress.

You’ll be using your body and mind in ways that demand much more than those 1200-1500 calories.

So how much do you actually need?

To give you a ballpark figure, an average moderately active man needs around 2,500 calories a day.

And an average moderately active woman needs around 2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight and health.

When you’re dealing with a survival situation, it’s essential to have high energy, nutrient dense foods to keep you fueled.

Things like nuts and seeds, dried fruits, canned goods, protein bars, and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) can provide a substantial amount of calories in a small, portable package.

Remember, folks, planning is key.

Knowing how many calories you and your family will need in an emergency and preparing your food stores in advance can make a world of difference when the chips are down.

So the next time you’re out shopping, instead of grabbing that pack of ramen noodles, why not invest in some nutrient-rich, high-calorie foods that will really give you the energy you need when SHTF?

Survival is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And for this long haul, you need to fuel yourself properly. 

So let’s keep our survival instincts sharp and our health well-nourished.