OK, you’ve had your “come to Jesus” moment and the world slaps you in the face for it.

You accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, are living your life for Him, and now the world hates you.

Welcome to the real world.

Let’s call this blog, “The Unhappy Christian.”

It is born from a recent heartfelt post from a reader commenting on one of my previous blogs, “Why Would God Ever Want to Love a Sinner Like Me.”

That blog, in fact, inspired quite a few reader self-examinations, some questioning their walk with the Lord.

In this latest comment, I could sense the writer’s frustration and lowly feeling.

She was heading into her 40s and was not at peace with either her walk with the Lord or how the world was treating her.

Simply put, she was down.

She was unhappy with her Christian life.

She even said she hated herself.

She writes, “I made many mistakes in my past and all I want is a normal life. Not this life of cutting and depression and anxiety.”

Where to start?

A Life in Turmoil Rarely Has God As the Main Focus

Focus on Christ, not yourself, and not the world.

Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk.

How is your devotional life?

Are you in the Word daily?

Do you talk with God daily?

Do you bring all your concerns to Him, as He asks you to do?

“Bring all your problems and cares to Him for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

Are you thinking less about yourself and more about others?

Are you surrounding yourself with fellow believers, whom you can share your concerns with, and who can pray for you?

“Jesus said where two or more are gathered, I am in their midst”. (Matthew 18:20)

I think you’ll find a tremendous difference in your life.

However, it’s easier said than done.

That is why through our entire life we’re always a “work in progress.”

As a Christian, the commentator on my article who I mentioned to you earlier wants to be a child of God.

But she also wants to be accepted by the world rather than be rejected by it.

Ever hear the term “oil and water don’t mix?”

But why is this?

Why Can’t We be Happy in Christ and Happy in the World?

Because the world will not allow it.

Because you are no longer “of the world.”

Because you are an alien in this world. (See Heb. 13:14 & 1 Peter 2:11-12)

And, quite frankly, you should not want to be pals with the world either.

For what does light have in common with darkness?

Understand that Satan is the ruler of this world, the prince of the air.

And the world, through the devil, is at enmity with God.

Our Lord in His infinite wisdom has chosen you.

He has pulled you out of the pit so that you will not give in to counterproductive worldly passions.

Do you know what it means to be a child of God?

Being a child of God means you’re in fellowship with Him and all things good.

Not in fellowship with the world and its path of destruction.

Let’s examine how Jesus defined this entire topic.

The World Hates You Because the World Hates God

John 15:18-20 really hits the nail on the head, so to speak:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

You can’t reconcile the two.

As Christians, we are sojourners in this world.

We are in the world but we are not of the world.

Ask yourself:

Do I want the unconditional love of Jesus Christ or what passes for fleeting love offered by the world?

So expect to be hated by the world if you want to be a child of God.

Because you can’t have both.

As Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.”

Put your focus on God and take your focus off yourself and the world.

I would much rather have fellowship with God, my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and the promise of eternal salvation in heaven than anything the world can give me.

Not material things, not fleeting friendships, not empty promises.

That’s what the world offers.

Jesus came so that we might have LIFE and have it more abundantly, as His word states in John 10:10.

Simply put, it’s choosing life over death.

If you feel rejected by the world, then good.

It means God is your rock and your refuge, not the world.

A Life Filled With Joy is a Life Filled With Jesus!

How do we overcome these feelings of negativity and self-loathing that is born of the world and continues in our sin nature?

As Christians, how can we overcome this often overwhelming cycle of sinning and asking for forgiveness?

By fellowship with God, focusing on Him, and all the good He wants for you.

Do that and I believe you will find peace in your life.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

If you aren’t doing so now, get into God’s Word and pray to Him daily.

It sounds simplistic, but Jesus is your best forever friend who won’t let you down.

One day, you’ll realize you’re worshiping and praising God more than you are worried about being rejected by the world.

Your cares may be financial or you’re anxious about something.

Bring it to the altar of God.

Have faith in Him.

He listens to His children.

We will always struggle, but God reaches down and keeps us from sinking into hopelessness, depression, and despair.

Focus on Jesus Christ and how you can know Him and serve Him.

Pray to Him. Let Him hear your voice.

Give Him a chance to answer you and to help you.

And one more very important point…sometimes you just need to be still.

Quiet your busy life for a moment and listen to God’s voice.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10).

As Jesus said many, many times to his followers, “have faith and believe.”

It’s amazing what God will do for you … if you just let Him.