Why should God's presence be of value to me when it does nothing?

Questioning Brother said:

I can sense God is near, and has been near me through the problems. That is the problem he has stood by and, at the very least, let the problems happen. I honestly think ALL counseling does is try to make you feel better. It does nothing to actually help. I can feel His presence, but it is in no way any kind of help. Comforting is 100% not help. I don't want to feel better about going through something. I want the situation to actually improve. I prayed and begged for Him to provide actual help, and He chose absolutely useless comforting instead. So why should I desire his presence, since it does nothing to change the situation?

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Sounds like you're going through a hard time. I don't have a whole lot of information to go on with here, but, one thing's for sure, God is never wrong and he's never the problem either. Only us can be it and we are it (human sinfulness and weakness). God never needs to change what he's doing, only us. It doesn't even matter if you feel his presence or not, since it is just a fact that he is with us at all times. It's only a matter of knowledge and trust. Another thing's for sure and that's that God loves us and understands us and suffers with us through our trials. He is perfectly compassionate. Another thing : God doesn't always resolve our problems for us. That sucks and that's furstrating. I've been through that... I learned that faith, trust and hope go a long way and it's not a matter of feelings at all. It's a choice. It's an attitude.

Based on your few responses to others, it seems like you are disappointed with God. That's understandable. You wish he did more. I wish the very same! Though, one thing I realized is that I don't actually know whether God is not doing enough... You see, that's exactly what lacking trust means. And I don't mean to condemn you or judge you or criticize you or anything; I'm merely speaking from experience in my own walk and what I learned so far. Another thing that's difficult is coming to terms with the way things are. Acceptation brings a lot of relief. It's accepting things the way they are and realizing that they are not so bad after all. Sometimes we exaggerate things and it's not easy to question our own interpretations and evaluations. On the other hand, you may also have a lot more power yourself than you realize in your situation. It's trying some out of the box thinking to see what options you weren't seeing before that were actually available to you the whole time. Sometimes, new opportunities arise also that allow us to change the satus quo in our favor. Again, I'm speaking in broad terms, since I don't know precisely what's going on. It seems to me personnaly that comfort is useful, especially when it is accompanied by a change of perspective. For example, persecution sucks, but when you think of Jesus' words about rewards and doing God's will and an eternity of relief and safety awaiting us and that fact that God is proud of our faithful obedience, perseverance and endurance through all of it, it can make us feel a lot better and resolve the actual problem which was psychological resistance on our part concerning what was going on.

I'm sorry if I didn't manage to address your actual issue and concerns, but I tried my best!

Questioning Brother said:

That is the problem he has stood by and, at the very least, let the problems happen.

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There is a real balance woven into life, and God works all things together for good. When circumstances get worse, it isn’t a sign that God has failed — it’s often the sign that something better is being prepared. God never ultimately disappoints anyone. It may feel that way in the moment, but in the end His purposes come together, and what seemed broken is brought into order.

Sapiens said:

I'm sorry if I didn't manage to address your actual issue and concerns, but I tried my best!

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Everyone needs to discover truth for themselves. It is nice that you share with us your testimony for what God is showing you and doing in your life.

RamiC said:

Yes, very, very serious for your sister that one.

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My wife has been there every step of the way for me.
But now she is going to the doctor with issues and she needs me to be there for her

NBB said:

the worse you can do for God not listening to you, is complaining

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Sometimes we think we’re praying when we’re really just complaining. Scripture gives us a sober reminder of what happened when Israel grumbled against God — the ground opened and swallowed those who refused to trust Him. I’ve even seen scenes on TV of people clawing through the dirt trying to reach loved ones, and it drives home how serious these moments can be. The real lesson is this: no matter what we face, we should give praise, honor, and glory to God. He is always worthy, and gratitude keeps our hearts aligned with Him.”

BobRyan said:

As a three year old I was run over on the street by a drunk driver , sent to the hospital in a coma, and my parents told that I would not live. When I woke up I was paralyzed on one side of my body and parents were told the brain damage suffered was too much to survive. My father ,who was himself a doctor in the Air Force, eventually came to the point of asking that I be released from the hospital so I could die at home.

A lot of prayer by church friends and family members , going on that whole time.

Later in life I became a software engineer, am now a senior citizen, and I leg press 840 lbs at the gym.

God answers prayer my friend

The greatest pain I have from all that today is talking to my older sister (10 and 1/2 months older than me) who witnessed the whole thing and talked about how at the age of 4 she watched the car come up behind me, knew it would take me out, could not bear to watch and turned her head away at the last second so she would not see me get hit. I feel bad for those who have to see someone else get hurt.

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God is indeed great. Praise the Lord!!!!!

Questioning Brother said:

I can sense God is near, and has been near me through the problems. That is the problem he has stood by and, at the very least, let the problems happen. I honestly think ALL counseling does is try to make you feel better. It does nothing to actually help. I can feel His presence, but it is in no way any kind of help. Comforting is 100% not help. I don't want to feel better about going through something. I want the situation to actually improve. I prayed and begged for Him to provide actual help, and He chose absolutely useless comforting instead. So why should I desire his presence, since it does nothing to change the situation?

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Hi brother. Every one that lives has their own cross to carry. It seems that you have yours. The thing is that He has already made everything better by dying in the cross for our sins and justifying you by the grace of God through faith. Hang in there. We are only here in this world for just a little longer. We are citizens of Heaven.

Questioning Brother said:

I can sense God is near, and has been near me through the problems. That is the problem he has stood by and, at the very least, let the problems happen. I honestly think ALL counseling does is try to make you feel better. It does nothing to actually help. I can feel His presence, but it is in no way any kind of help. Comforting is 100% not help. I don't want to feel better about going through something. I want the situation to actually improve. I prayed and begged for Him to provide actual help, and He chose absolutely useless comforting instead. So why should I desire his presence, since it does nothing to change the situation?

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because your situation could be way worse without his presence the struggles we go through can't compare to the horrors of hell not minimizing your issue. Its just our life is fleeting. I blinked and im 34 will be 35 in 6 more months. Time moves fast one day you'll be reunited with God and your family just hang on and hold out.

Two years ago, I was on the patio watching a hummingbird at the feeder. While I was watching her I was whispering to God.

"Lord God; I trust you enough to show me a sign that you care. If you could I'd like that bird to fly up to me and say hello."

She was about to fly off but then, she did the unthinkable, I wasn't sure if it was my sunglasses or if she was being sincere but "SHE DID" and came right up to me and said hello. I told Him thank you...

Questioning Brother said:

God cannot possibly have enough to make up for this pain.

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That us why He is God. Has He ever disappointed you? All things work together for good. God is GOOD>

Questioning Brother said:

Yes, and when I sat down and listed it, it was about 85-90% disappointment.

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You are the first, I have never heard anyone complain before. I feel that way when I go though tests and trials sometimes, but then it all straightens itself out because, for me God is good and that is my testimony

Questioning Brother said:

Blink again and you will be 50 (trust me I know). I too believe the pain can't be compared to the pain. God cannot possibly have enough to make up for this pain.

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What is it God cannot have enough of to "make up" for the pain?