Hurting

[Buttermilk]

No, I was trying to help with your own private reflection on the matter. There was no selfish reason involved. I do care about you, and your relationship with your creator, that's all. If you do not wish to speak about it, then I'll go somewhere else to respect your wishes.

This is something you need to work out between you and God.

OK I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your intentions, but I have seen often in this kind of situation that kind of response (not from you but Christians in general) and I supose I thought I was next.

There is however no relationship with any Creator or God (I have an Atheist Icon )

 

[Adstar]

Hello Buttermilk.

First thing, I do not need to know the chain of events that has lead you to this place. But i can give you some thoughts that i hope will cause to think about the foundations we need for a good relationship with God.

First thing irrespective of what people have said and done in this forum to you, you must accept a simple but very important fact.

God is God, People are Not God. Your faith is your relationship with God and that relationship must never be undermined by what others say or do to you. Build your foundation on God. Not on other people. If one is going to have Faith then they must know Who they are having faith in and not be discouraged or driven of the road by other relationships.

Ok second thought:

God does not keep us from troubles in this world. If one ends their trust in God then the world will not suddenly become a trouble free existence. Good times and Bad times will come by us as we go through life no matter what out faith or lack of is.

God gives me the strength and the peace of mind to face troubles that i know would cause me great trauma and stress if i lived without the peace of mind and strength that helps me face the troubles in life.

Jesus said:

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So God is not about keeping us from trouble But giving us the power to go through troubles without the mental scaring that often stays with people even when the trouble has passed.

Please if you would like to private message me if you want to talk about these things and your current situation.
[FONT=&quot]

All Praise The Ancient Of Days[/FONT]

 

[LJSGM]

OK I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your intentions, but I have seen often in this kind of situation that kind of response (not from you but Christians in general) and I supose I thought I was next.

There is however no relationship with any Creator or God (I have an Atheist Icon )

Please, I encourage you, get to KNOW Him, Christ the Lord. You will not be discouraged if you put your trust in Him. He is the ONLY one who will not let you down.

 

[Aibrean]

Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is a Christian. Unfortunately people are (as discussed) human and sometimes stumble.

That being said, I would like to add-on to what people have said. God gave us the gift of choice from the beginning in the garden of Eden. If the apple wasn't chosen we might not exist (granted, that is something for me to ask when I am not longer tied to this mortal coil) and we would still be in peace and harmony. When sin entered the world, so did Satan. It is Satan's intention to draw you away from God which he can do so through bad things. He can even appear as an "angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). It is up to us to choose which way we go and which path is true.

I've lost over $12,000 from a bad employer that got away with it, $1000 from a shady client (that did pay me what he owed me, had me work on a project, then left me high and dry again), etc. My fiance had a grandfather and brother-in-law die almost within a year of each other. Those experiences only led us both closer to God. I took the experiences and moved forward, realizing it was preparing me for something better (I had more design experience from it, and less business naievity). My fiance became closer to God and was baptized this year (as was I with him).

The relationship that can be had depends on how much you put into it. I fell by the wayside...like I really couldn't "feel" God, but I could see things happen around me that I couldn't explain. When I came to the church that I'm at now, I FELT him through the Holy Spirit. If only for a moment, but it was enough. I never felt that way before and I can't describe it -- the closest thing would be like finding out that your crush really likes you....you can't contain yourself and want to tell the whole world...to the point of crying of happiness.

What does denying God do for you now? Does it make you feel better? Does it get rid of the "bad things"? If it does then there is something really evil going on and you are smart enough to realize it.

 

[Buttermilk]

Please, I encourage you, get to KNOW Him, Christ the Lord. You will not be discouraged if you put your trust in Him. He is the ONLY one who will not let you down.

He has let me down, that's why I have walked away.

 

[Adstar]

He has let me down, that's why I have walked away.

[FONT=&quot]If you believe He has let your down then you must still believe He exists. Therefore your atheist tag is not true. Therefore you have not ceased to believe in Jesus but you are just angry with Him.

Tell us, How did He let you down?


All Praise The Ancient Of Days[/FONT]

 

[Aibrean]

I don't think Buttermilk wants to go in any detail.

Anyway...Lutherans don't believe in "once saved, always saved." So yes, I can believe you were a Christian and yes you can fall. BUT I do agree, it sounds like you are angry at things that have happened in your life and wondering why God let it happen. Sometimes in our limited understanding we forget that there is a purpose behind it. Look at Job...God let Satan ("the adversary") mess around with his life to test him. Job realizes there is no reason for God to punish him even though he doesn't understand what's happening but he refuses to curse Him.

 

[TexasSky]

Buttermilk,

I am so sorry that you are hurting as much as you are.

Christ never promised us that life would be easy. In fact, He promised to try to help us through the trying times, and to be with us when they happen. He warned the apostles that because the world hates God, it will hate anyone who follows Him.

It is very difficult to understand why certain things happen, but remember, God is always concerned with the soul more than the body. If a loved one is sick and we are praying for healing, that same loved one may be praying for peace and asking God to take them home. If we pray for someone to love us, God may know that further up the road is someone we'll love even more than the person we think we love now.

I am sorry that you were hurt again by answers from moderators or staff. I do not think it was their intent to hurt you, but people cannot always understand what will hurt someone else.

 

[Buttermilk]

[FONT=&quot]If you believe He has let your down then you must still believe He exists. Therefore your atheist tag is not true. Therefore you have not ceased to believe in Jesus but you are just angry with Him.

That may have been the case initially, but I am now, in line with my icon, Atheist.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Tell us, How did He let you down?[/FONT]

I don't wish to go into details.

 

[Buttermilk]

I am sorry that you were hurt again by answers from moderators or staff. I do not think it was their intent to hurt you, but people cannot always understand what will hurt someone else.

They knew alright, but still they continued

 

[Mary_Magdalene]

i know how you are feeling-this year was a tough one for me.... i could make a list for you of "believers" that treated me horribly. IRL and on here. and you know what?

IT SUCKS! (excuse my french....is that french?).

but, let me tell you something. i have a brother in law who is not saved as he says he does not want to be in the same camp as some bad Christians he has seen. so, he is using other people's bad behavior as a reason not to go to heaven???

i told him a few years ago how sad it will be if he allows some jerks (Christian or not) to keep him from following God to heaven! that makes no sense at all.

this year, i have been forced to take my own advice. when i have been confronted with people who claim Christ but act anything but that, i just remember that I am not gonna allow some jerks to keep me from the greatest gift someone can ever be given! If i did, how regretful would I be when i go to hell for that reason.

i KNOW it is hard. believe me. i could write a list! but dont allow another person to be your example of God-look only to Christ for that hon. i know that is easier said than done, but keep up the good fight!

 

[Buttermilk]

Godschosengirl

That's only part of for me though. Events have led me to conclude that god isn't there, or at a long shot if he is, he certainly doesn't give a monkey's

 

[Jayangel81]

Godschosengirl

That's only part of for me though. Events have led me to conclude that god isn't there, or at a long shot if he is, he certainly doesn't give a monkey's

That is exactly what Satan wants you to believe, dont fall for it

And from reading youre other threads..sounds like you think all christians are hurtful and uncaring. I really hope you dont really believe that. I love you, and i dont even know you **Big Hug**

I pray that whatever youre going through passes and that you may find some peace in youre life.

God Bless!

 

[Criada]

Buttermilk, I am so sorry you have been hurt, and especially by those you could expect support and help from.
I don't have any easy answers... but I know that God loves you. And I also know that that is pretty unhelpful at the moment..

Whatever has happened though, He is still there... and He won't ever leave you... though you may choose to leave Him.
But, please, don't give up on God because Christians let you down. We are a pretty poor reflection of Him, on the whole! Read the gospels, from your new perspective, and look at what Jesus said and did. And use that as your measure of God, not those around you.

Praying for you.

 

[Buttermilk]

That is exactly what Satan wants you to believe, dont fall for it

Already have.

And from reading youre other threads..sounds like you think all christians are hurtful and uncaring. I really hope you dont really believe that. I love you, and i dont even know you **Big Hug**

Nah, I don't really, I was/am just really angry with a few regarding the way they treated me when they already knew I had issues.

 

[Buttermilk]

Buttermilk, I am so sorry you have been hurt, and especially by those you could expect support and help from.
I don't have any easy answers... but I know that God loves you. And I also know that that is pretty unhelpful at the moment..

Whatever has happened though, He is still there... and He won't ever leave you... though you may choose to leave Him.
But, please, don't give up on God because Christians let you down. We are a pretty poor reflection of Him, on the whole! Read the gospels, from your new perspective, and look at what Jesus said and did. And use that as your measure of God, not those around you.

Praying for you.

Thank you for responding, I appreciate it , but as per my Icon..................

 

[hlaltimus]

An accumulation of recent events had me on the brink of changing my faith icon here, then instead of being supportive, certain members of CF staff (I won't name and shame, they know who they are), pushed me over the edge and to a change of icon.

God - huh!!!

"When it rains, it pours."
God will sometimes use, (allow in this case,) a seemingly incessant barrage of difficulties and discouragements piled one upon another right on top of your already weary head not for the intention of driving you away from Himself, but for exactly the opposite reason: To manifest your weakness and drive you out of that insufficiency and into His infinite sufficiency. If this seems like a hostile, harsh and reverse/psychology approach, don't even think it. He knows what He is doing...We don't. I also went through this ringer once before in my life and it did involve professing christians that seemed to be more "hurt" than "help" to me. Sooner or later you will inevitably meet with several offensive brethren, but always remember at least two things:
1- Don't blame the heat for burning up any wood, hay and stubble in your life! If your made up of durable materials then you will endure the day of trial and that is the greatest benefit for us in our trials: They show us what we are made up of and we had better know that here and now rather than then and there of the next world where acceptable repentance vanishes forever.
2- Before you indict any offensive professing christian anywhere, take the time to compile a list off all of the bloopers that you, (or I,) too have been guilty of, which fumblings God has not prosecuted us for in His forbearance and mercy. We never get all of what we deserve in this life, therefore:

He has alot on us all...Enough to send every one of us "up the river" for a long, long time. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy...Forgive and you shall be forgiven"

 

[L.A.W.]

An accumulation of recent events had me on the brink of changing my faith icon here, then instead of being supportive, certain members of CF staff (I won't name and shame, they know who they are), pushed me over the edge and to a change of icon.

God - huh!!!

Although man may change with the seasons, Yah is who he is. Be holy as he is holy. Do not fall into the cares and worries of the world. Walk not by the flesh, but in the spirit in faith in yahushua. Amen.

 

[Gareth]

OK I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your intentions, but I have seen often in this kind of situation that kind of response (not from you but Christians in general) and I supose I thought I was next.

There is however no relationship with any Creator or God (I have an Atheist Icon )

So whoever these people were they collectively went "hunting" to bring a person down whom they saw as an easy target or to humiliate as you didn't conform to their standard. There is probably a good few choice words you could call them, and probably have. But you remain dignified in your attitude to them, so good on you.

There is one good way to hurt someone enough to reinforce their own misgivings towards Christianity and that is to show un-Christianlike qualities. What you ought to get, you don't. Not everyone will agree with what anyone says on this Forum; thank goodness for free speech! But sometimes one has to agree to differ. I take it they didn't. Their way was/is the only way. Then let them go soak their heads in something, maybe that way it'll clear their mental block and snide expressions against you. You keep posting, and to blazes with them.