Are our problems all faith problems?

[memoriesbymichelle]

So this weekend at Church, my Pastor made an interesting statement which has caused me to contemplate my faith all week.

I don't consider myself super spiritual, but I do consider myself to have faith in God. But I also know that my plans are not his plans and sometimes things happen differently than I think they should.

So I basically have two main "issues" in my life, well 3 really at this moment. They are 1) trying to get my weight down to my goal weight. 2) getting my bills paid off, which is an astronomical amount IMO. 3) My puppy has cancer and we don't have money to amputate her leg or get her treatment.

So anyway, our Pastor said (and I'm paraphrasing here) that if we have "issues" in our life, they really are faith issues.

At first I was like, really? Naw I don't think so. But then as I have contemplated it, maybe he is correct. None of my "issues" have I been able to "solve" myself and while I do have faith in God, I also consider he might want me to suffer "thru" it rather than deliver me out of it. So IDK what do you think regarding YOUR issues? Would you consider that it could be a faith issue?

 

[trentlogain2]

i tend to think so. followed closely by obedience.

 

[SavingCady]

Honestly. I really don't think I agree with that. Trials are going to come and go, whether or not you have faith or not. I think it is more so that when you DO have trials, you need to place your trust in God to get you through them. But I don't think I believe God put cancer in your puppy's leg because you were faithless.

 

[trentlogain2]

I don't think that was what she was talking about. If that's the case then I would say no as well.

 

[K9_Trainer]

Seems like an easy way out IMO. Blame your faith (or lack of) because you can't lose weight? Or because you can't afford treatment for your puppy? Just simply trusting in God isn't going to make things happen. The weight isn't going to melt off you if you give up exercise and trust God. Money isn't going to grow on a tree if you give up and trust God.

You can have faith while also working on the things you want to change. Trust God, but consult nutritionists or weight loss specialists or a doctor to see why you aren't losing weight. Trust God, but do whatever the heck you can to raise money to save your dog. If things don't work out, then they don't work out.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Seems like an easy way out IMO. Blame your faith (or lack of) because you can't lose weight? Or because you can't afford treatment for your puppy? Just simply trusting in God isn't going to make things happen. The weight isn't going to melt off you if you give up exercise and trust God. Money isn't going to grow on a tree if you give up and trust God.

You can have faith while also working on the things you want to change. Trust God, but consult nutritionists or weight loss specialists or a doctor to see why you aren't losing weight. Trust God, but do whatever the heck you can to raise money to save your dog. If things don't work out, then they don't work out.

I agree, and trust me, I am not saying I want an easy way out or something/someone to blame. And I agree money isn't just going to fall from the sky (although God is totally capable of doing that, I'm pretty sure He won't). And the puppy thing, well the vet said they suspect it is osteosarcoma which is very aggressive and can spread even if we amputate and chemo it. Do I think God put cancer in my puppy? Absolutely NOT! And the other issues I have are all my doing too. I'm the one that feeds myself, and I'm the one that got in debt so I take full responsibility for it. And I am working on losing weight. I have lost 28 pounds, but I have 32 to go. And the last few times I've dieted I never reached my goal and then I went up and now down so it's a revolving cycle. And the money thing, well I got a second job, however they went to electronic signing so now I am only getting 1 shift, 4 hours a week at half the pay I make at my full time job. So again, I'm not sitting on my duff waiting for my ship to come in . But since I have had these 2 issues (finances and weight) for a long time I need to contemplate if those issues aren't somehow related to my faith. I mean maybe I think I have faith but I don't? IDK I really don't.

 

[Mr Dave]

I don't tend to agree.
We don't have problems in life because of issues over faith, that sounds fairly spurious to me. Problems occur and we can incorporate our faith in coping with them* but they don't occur because of faith, they occur because problems occur.
I agree with your statement that God can help you through, but I got the impression that your pastor was using any lack of complete faith as the cause of the problems which is not true.

* J. Scriven

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to god in prayer

Have we trials and temptations
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden
Cumbered with a load of care
Precious Saviour still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer
In his arms he'll take and shield thee
Thou wilt find a solace there

 

[Saucy]

I don't agree with your pastor. Bad things happen in this world because this world is corrupt. Death, disease, violence, hunger, pain exist because of corruption and sin. If people are hungry, it's not because they don't have faith, it's because of greed and there are plenty of rich people who could make a huge impact and wipe out hunger, but they don't. Some would call that greed, others would call it capitalism. People are allowed to do whatever they want with their money and frankly it's also why the wealthy have no chance to enter Heaven.

My father passed away in a work accident and for YEARS I blamed God. He was crushed to death in a press. And though accidents happen, God takes those bad things and uses them to His and your glory. We all grow from those moments and become better people. We learn to have compassion on other people. We can use those experiences to help others who are going where we've been.

 

[MacFall]

No, I don't think so. If a lack of faith is the cause of all our problems, then the solution must be more faith. Which leaves very little room for action.

 

[The Dreamer]

Hmm, tough to argue with IMO. Lack of faith has to be up there...Either that, or just not caring enough to find out what 'the' faith requires one to do in the first place.

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, you first must believe He is, and then you have to believe He's a rewarder of those who seek him."

 

[Touma]

I agree. The only reason I don't have millions of dollars is because I don't believe it.

Wait...Isn't that like the Matrix? Or Star Wars? hmmm

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

well what I understood him to say was that if we are consistantly struggling in a certain area, or areas, it really is a faith issue. Not that the issue was necessarily caused by lack of faith, but if we keep struggling with it, that it had to do with lack of faith.

 

[The Dreamer]

well what I understood him to say was that if we are consistantly struggling in a certain area, or areas, it really is a faith issue. Not that the issue was necessarily caused by lack of faith, but if we keep struggling with it, that it had to do with lack of faith.

Well let's strike the dog with cancer off the list, that one's tough to understand and/or address at all really.

For eating too much, I think it's only really a mistake because it makes your body bigger, and more difficult to control. The lack of faith here is, or rather the faith in the wrong thing; it's o.k. to not to eat 3 meals a day, it's not even unhealthy. Man shall not live by bread alone etc. Spiritual fulfillment doesn't come through the animal body. Something along these lines.

Now, for the huge bills. This one takes huge faith and a little research. "Seek first the Kingdom and all these things will be added to you." (see Num. 33:54 , Jeremiah 11:9, Gen 49, Rev. 2:9, 2 Samuel 7:13-16). "Do not lend at interest, nor likewise pay it" (paraphrased), the violation here is a huge enemy to God's intended economic plan, and basically the cause of all our troubles. Well, that and our inheritance (rightful lot of land) being stolen.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well let's strike the dog with cancer off the list, that one's tough to understand and/or address at all really.

For eating too much, I think it's only really a mistake because it makes your body bigger, and more difficult to control. The lack of faith here is, or rather the faith in the wrong thing; it's o.k. to not to eat 3 meals a day, it's not even unhealthy. Man shall not live by bread alone etc. Spiritual fulfillment doesn't come through the animal body. Something along these lines.

Now, for the huge bills. This one takes huge faith and a little research. "Seek first the Kingdom and all these things will be added to you." (see Num. 33:54 , Jeremiah 11:9, Gen 49, Rev. 2:9, 2 Samuel 7:13-16). "Do not lend at interest, nor likewise pay it" (paraphrased), the violation here is a huge enemy to God's intended economic plan, and basically the cause of all our troubles. Well, that and our inheritance (rightful lot of land) being stolen.

OK so since I'm already in violation (even though I have asked and know that God forgives my violation) how can I (aside from what I am doing which is dieting and paying my bills and trying not to create new bills) use my faith to overcome these issues? If that even makes sense.

I mean I know God could rain money IF He wanted to, but I also know He most likely won't. So I don't expect God to help me win the lottery and so I'm unsure how to change so that I don't have this faith issue my Pastor is speaking about. I have the faith that God CAN, but I'm not sure if He WILL.

 

[The Dreamer]

OK so since I'm already in violation (even though I have asked and know that God forgives my violation) how can I (aside from what I am doing which is dieting and paying my bills and trying not to create new bills) use my faith to overcome these issues? If that even makes sense.

I mean I know God could rain money IF He wanted to, but I also know He most likely won't. So I don't expect God to help me win the lottery and so I'm unsure how to change so that I don't have this faith issue my Pastor is speaking about. I have the faith that God CAN, but I'm not sure if He WILL.

God doesn't even care about your bills (kinda). As far as He's concerned, as I'm pretty sure this year is a Jubilee, you don't (or won't soon) even have them. (all debts forgiven on the Jubilee)

I would assert that all Judges understand THE LAW (of Moses), and you just have to "man up" and hold them to it.

Furthermore, your pastor either knows exactly what I'm talking about and he's complicit, or he knows nothing at all, imo. (p.m. for more )

 

[leothelioness]

I don't agree with your pastor. Bad things happen in this world because this world is corrupt. Death, disease, violence, hunger, pain exist because of corruption and sin. If people are hungry, it's not because they don't have faith, it's because of greed and there are plenty of rich people who could make a huge impact and wipe out hunger, but they don't. Some would call that greed, others would call it capitalism. People are allowed to do whatever they want with their money and frankly it's also why the wealthy have no chance to enter Heaven.

My father passed away in a work accident and for YEARS I blamed God. He was crushed to death in a press. And though accidents happen, God takes those bad things and uses them to His and your glory. We all grow from those moments and become better people. We learn to have compassion on other people. We can use those experiences to help others who are going where we've been.

Excellent post, Saucy.

So sorry about your dad. How awful.

 

[leothelioness]

To answer the OP. I don't think all problems in life (mine or others') is all due to faith. Some of it may be, but not all of it.

 

[Miles]

Were Job's problems faith problems? No. The faithful aren't immune to suffering, and unfaithful don't necessarily suffer. It rains on the just and the unjust. Choosing wisely generally helps life go more smoothly, but it doesn't always work that way.

 

[anewday]

What a great topic Michelle . I have wondered this myself. I was doing great faith wise up until a few years ago when certain events shook me up to my core, as well as shake my faith up. I have many questions that will probably never be answered in this life. I am still angry with God and with people who claim to be Christians because of these events and how some people have reacted when I open up to them. Life is slowly getting better, but the scars are still there, and my faith has greatly weakened. I don't think all our problems are faith problems. Like Saucy and others said, bad and good things happen to bad and good people because that is a part of life, unfortunately.

 

[The Dreamer]

Were Job's problems faith problems? No. The faithful aren't immune to suffering, and unfaithful don't necessarily suffer. It rains on the just and the unjust. Choosing wisely generally helps life go more smoothly, but it doesn't always work that way.

I'm not so sure Job's problems weren't entirely unrelated to faith. But, it was more to do with the faith of the others around him. Sure Job got "touched" up a bit, but his wife, kids, etc got dropped.

I haven't read Job in a bit, but his wife was pretty quick to show her true colors fwir. At the end of the day, Job got a new family and twice the wealth.