i dont understand...

[BK4G]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...as a christian i try to think that there is some hope and that things happen for a reason and purpose...but it is sometimes too difficult to believe this....

the bible says that God will not give trials and hardships beyond what the person can endure...but how come there are ppl in the mental hospitals who have lost all sanity? clearly these ppl have had enough hardships to lose their minds..?

can someone please tell me something from the bible which sheds some light on this?

also: I read somewhere that Job's trials only occured for a duration of a couple of weeks...is this true?
JOb got a direct answer from God...and God later blessed him with even more than what he had before... But what about the people who endure hardships for years and years with no answer from God? Jobs trials seem very insignificant compared to what others go through

i am still a christian and i am not trying to bring down the bible or god...i reallllly want an answer to this

i feel myself slowly abandoning the belief in God...its too hard

 

[Onlythingavailable]

Why do people starve to death? Why are there wars? Why do people murder each other? I believe your question and these share the same answer: because sin and evil exist. For none of these to exist, God will have to remove all evil from the world, and that will only happen when Jesus comes again. And Jesus hasn't come yet because God wants as many as possible to be saved.

I also think that as Christians we sometimes forget that there is life after death. We only see the suffering in this world and become disillusioned. I believe that after this life is over, God comforts us and makes it so that our suffering in this life doesn't "bother us." The Bible does say that God will dry all our tears. It's hard to imagine that all hardship, everything we see and experience here could one day no longer affect us, but for God everything is possible. That, of course, doesn't mean that suffering here isn't real. We should still do everything we can to help others, sort of act like a counter towards all the evil that cause harm in the world.

 

[BK4G]

"For none of these to exist, God will have to remove all evil from the world, and that will only happen when Jesus comes again. And Jesus hasn't come yet because God wants as many as possible to be saved."

but the bible says over and over and over again that sin was eliminated through Jesus's death and his resurrection....

if what your saying is the answer, then what the bible says about Jesus is worthless and a lie....

"I believe that after this life is over, God comforts us and makes it so that our suffering in this life doesn't "bother us." "
so according to you death is the only cure for pain... then why cant we commit a suicide? why is the bible against this? it seems unfair....

 

[Onlythingavailable]

"For none of these to exist, God will have to remove all evil from the world, and that will only happen when Jesus comes again. And Jesus hasn't come yet because God wants as many as possible to be saved."

but the bible says over and over and over again that sin was eliminated through Jesus's death and his resurrection....

if what your saying is the answer, then what the bible says about Jesus is worthless and a lie....

The power of sin was overcome, because by believing in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. Jesus paid the price for our sins, without that we would all have to pay the price which is death. Jesus reconciled man with God, so that those who believe in Christ will be saved. Sin is still around in the world, but the power of sin over those who believe was destroyed. And at the same time, through the promise of resurrection, the power of death was removed as well.

"I believe that after this life is over, God comforts us and makes it so that our suffering in this life doesn't "bother us." "
so according to you death is the only cure for pain... then why cant we commit a suicide? why is the bible against this? it seems unfair....

Life here serves a purpose, it molds us I believe. We aren't here just to die, but to learn I suppose. Jesus commanded us to love God and others, just as he did in his life. There is suffering in this world, and yes that will go away when Jesus comes again, but there must be a point to it all.

Suicide isn't an act of love, not if you do it to just get away from the suffering, it's an escape. You hurt those around you, leaving them with possible guilt and questions, and you deny others your help and usefulness. If we learn things here, then committing suicide would mean we wouldn't learn what we are supposed to, which I think would be a bad thing.

 

[BK4G]

"Sin is still around in the world, but the power of sin over those who believe was destroyed."

but what does that specifically mean? ive heard phrases like that a million times in my life...but it doesnt mean anything becuase ppl who believe still sin...and they still go through horrendous things in life....and ppl are even effected by OTHER ppl's sin as well...so its power hasnt been "destroyed" over "those who believe"...why would the bible even say such a thing? when all evidence indicate that its so not true?

 

[xtreN]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...as a christian i try to think that there is some hope and that things happen for a reason and purpose...but it is sometimes too difficult to believe this....

the bible says that God will not give trials and hardships beyond what the person can endure...but how come there are ppl in the mental hospitals who have lost all sanity? clearly these ppl have had enough hardships to lose their minds..?

can someone please tell me something from the bible which sheds some light on this?

also: I read somewhere that Job's trials only occured for a duration of a couple of weeks...is this true?
JOb got a direct answer from God...and God later blessed him with even more than what he had before... But what about the people who endure hardships for years and years with no answer from God? Jobs trials seem very insignificant compared to what others go through

i am still a christian and i am not trying to bring down the bible or god...i reallllly want an answer to this

i feel myself slowly abandoning the belief in God...its too hard

Hello,

Thank you for coming to CF looking for help and answers.

I would like to give you an excellent link to truth, wisdom, love and deliverance

Please click here

May God's grace, light and love seal you from the inside out my sister and friend as you receive His word.

Love you in Christ

xtreN {& HAPPY EASTER!!)

 

[UnitynLove]

"but the bible says over and over and over again that sin was eliminated through Jesus's death and his resurrection...."

We are all capable of committing sin but you are not a slave to sin anymore. You have a savior now that can help through whatever sin you are dealing with, porn, anger, suffering, pain or whatever. Jesus warned us "In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world." The overcoming the world is our faith in him. How many people out there are slaves to alcholism, and depression and have no where to turn so they just go on with their lives in a rut but once we find Jesus he can heal us from this pain and make us a new person. Suffering and trouble is good for us "Count it not shocking when you enter in divers temptations knowing that trails produces paitence and paitence character, and character hope now hope doesn't fail because the love of God has been poured into us by his holy spirit. For example, me, I was sexually abused and depressed for many years. I was bitter, angry, selfish, hateful, unforgiving but God has changed my life. Now I live a life for helping and lifting up others. I am a testiment as well as many that are on this board.

 

[BK4G]

"capable of committing sin but you are not a slave to sin anymore"

but whats the difference? if ppl are capable of committing sin and ppl are not in control of the sin theyre committing- they cant help it and its in their nature- wouldnt it be the same thing as being a slave to it...? plus if they are capable of sinning, they will also recieve the consequences of their own sin as well and that would be a part of being a slave to sin....

so jesus didnt technically do anything to sin...its still there....

im confused

 

[DArceri]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...as a christian i try to think that there is some hope and that things happen for a reason and purpose...but it is sometimes too difficult to believe this....

the bible says that God will not give trials and hardships beyond what the person can endure...but how come there are ppl in the mental hospitals who have lost all sanity? clearly these ppl have had enough hardships to lose their minds..?

can someone please tell me something from the bible which sheds some light on this?

also: I read somewhere that Job's trials only occured for a duration of a couple of weeks...is this true?
JOb got a direct answer from God...and God later blessed him with even more than what he had before... But what about the people who endure hardships for years and years with no answer from God? Jobs trials seem very insignificant compared to what others go through

i am still a christian and i am not trying to bring down the bible or god...i reallllly want an answer to this

i feel myself slowly abandoning the belief in God...its too hard

Stay strong, this trial is going to prove to God if you are truly His child.

JAMES 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

 

[DArceri]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...

I am wondering if you need to adjust your thinking to the way of God. I wrote this to someone else but it might hit home for you:


"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?"

What James is saying is that, the heart determines your behavior in life. If you treasure wordly passions in life, if you treasure something more than God, it is basically "spiritual idolotry". God desires our heart and unless we give it ALL TO HIM, we will always be at war within ourselves. Everyone has something he treasures in his heart and if it is not 100% God, conflict with faith is the end result. So if you are struggling with your faith, you must ask yourself, is it because you have a passion for worldliness. (It could be only one little thing too.)

JAMES 4:5 states,
"He yearns jealously over the Spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

To me this means, the Spirit that lives in us is jeoulously yearning for our heart.

Matt 6:21 is another good quote:
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

FINALLY, I heard a good definition of the word DEPRESSION......When things of the heart is taken from us.

Hopefully the only depression you ever experience is from being away from the word of God.




"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." James 4:8

 

[AWorkInProgress]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...as a christian i try to think that there is some hope and that things happen for a reason and purpose...but it is sometimes too difficult to believe this....

the bible says that God will not give trials and hardships beyond what the person can endure...but how come there are ppl in the mental hospitals who have lost all sanity? clearly these ppl have had enough hardships to lose their minds..?

can someone please tell me something from the bible which sheds some light on this?

also: I read somewhere that Job's trials only occured for a duration of a couple of weeks...is this true?
JOb got a direct answer from God...and God later blessed him with even more than what he had before... But what about the people who endure hardships for years and years with no answer from God? Jobs trials seem very insignificant compared to what others go through

i am still a christian and i am not trying to bring down the bible or god...i reallllly want an answer to this

i feel myself slowly abandoning the belief in God...its too hard

I'm no expert, but the bible has a theme to it. Trust in God and he will carry you thru. Job went from a rightous rich guy to losing everything he had, including his family. Remember God made sure his life be spared. His family was not rightous so their lives were already satans. God used Job to make a point, that he is wiser than any mortal. Job recieved 3 fold his orginal belongs and family for this trial.

Bible never says that faith in god was easy, accually it can be difficult. Some died to martyrdum or percicuted during their earthly trials. Others had to trust God by doing something in the face of their massing enemies.

To me, depression is indication that something is wrong. It can be a number of things, but kinda forces you to really look deep inside yourself to find a way to overcome the trial. For me, I found my self condemntion, guilt, and impatience with myself where my enemies. Stop doing that and put my faith in God and my hope that I will slowly make it to my goal. Now things not so bad, still goof up but I'm a sinner constantly trying be in God's ways. Like learning anything, it takes time.

 

[BK4G]

"If you treasure wordly passions in life, if you treasure something more than God, it is basically "spiritual idolotry". God desires our heart and unless we give it ALL TO HIM"

seems as if God is expecting something that is humanly impossible...how is a person capable of "giving ALL TO HIM"? and then he punishes you for not "giving ALL TO HIM" by allowing suffering to occur...what does he expect from humans....


btw i thank everyone for their replies...

 

[AWorkInProgress]

"If you treasure wordly passions in life, if you treasure something more than God, it is basically "spiritual idolotry". God desires our heart and unless we give it ALL TO HIM"

seems as if God is expecting something that is humanly impossible...how is a person capable of "giving ALL TO HIM"? and then he punishes you for not "giving ALL TO HIM" by allowing suffering to occur...what does he expect from humans....


btw i thank everyone for their replies...

It's a trust and fear problem. It is very possible to do. We give God our sundays and maybe little time for communion, but elsewhere we prefer him not be there. Our TV shows, Movie going, earthly valuibles, our hobbies. Many cases just afraid to give up something so valuible to us that we kinda put it before him. Afraid might lose it since have not determined a record of trust.

As my paster said, the bible is his record of what happens when you trust him. From Job, Abraham, David to just name a few. They gave what they had into God's hands and where given far more in return(others like Paul it was their waited in Heaven).

lol sometimes I get erritated because I want to know what God wants from me. God works on his time thou, so go about my business. Try to be not afraid when he does knock on my door thou.

Look to Luke 5 when Jesus asked what seemed out of reason from Simon and his brother. They gave their reputations and trust to Jesus, even thou they could have told him to leave them alone.

 

[LoG]

"
seems as if God is expecting something that is humanly impossible...how is a person capable of "giving ALL TO HIM"? and then he punishes you for not "giving ALL TO HIM" by allowing suffering to occur...what does he expect from humans....

You're correct. It is humanly impossible. That's why we have a saviour who has overcome the world. We bring the desire or willingness to be like Him and he heals us of those things that block us from that. It is when we try to change on our own power that we get depression, discouraged, frustrated etc.
The problem a lot of time is that we don't go deep enough. For years I looked to God to heal me of my dependence on alcohol and drugs to cope with life. He finally got through to me that these were but symptoms of deeper issues like fear, selfishness, pride, self-centeredness, envy etc. When I repented of those things and looked to Him to take away those things blocking me from the perfect love that He exemplifies, I no longer needed to resort those various addictions to find that peace of mind that I was looking for.

In this life the goal is perfection but we can be happy with progress.
His expectation of us? To be willing to repent of anything that blocks us from loving God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and our neighbours as ourselves.

 

[BK4G]

"When I repented of those things and looked to Him to take away those things blocking me from the perfect love that He exemplifies"

but has there ever been a case in the bible where someone actually repented but suffering still continued? (maybe Judas - the person who sold jesus (?) i think there would be many cases in real life where repentance doesnt do anything...

what does repentance actually mean? cause to me it seems worthless...repentance doesnt change the past...suffering may still continue even if you repent

 

[tapero]

"When I repented of those things and looked to Him to take away those things blocking me from the perfect love that He exemplifies"

but has there ever been a case in the bible where someone actually repented but suffering still continued? (maybe Judas - the person who sold jesus (?) i think there would be many cases in real life where repentance doesnt do anything...

what does repentance actually mean? cause to me it seems worthless...repentance doesnt change the past...suffering may still continue even if you repent

Hi,

Repent means to turn away. So we turn away from our sin. You don't get punished for sin. It is written, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. God loves us dearly as a parent loves their child and he does correct us, but not by making us suffer in any way.

He corrects us in a way much more than a loving father on earth would do.

With sin, sometimes we see a direct consequence. If we steal and get caught, can get arrested type of thing. But we don't always see the consequence of our sin, and may not ever in this life, but their is consequence however we are in a time of grace, and we are not under the law.

God in no way wants you to suffer. He never intended us to suffer and doesn't bring it on us. He loves you very much.

I hope this has helped some.

God bless,
tapero

 

[Luminaire]

why does god allow mental pain/depression/anxiety?...as a christian i try to think that there is some hope and that things happen for a reason and purpose...but it is sometimes too difficult to believe this....

the bible says that God will not give trials and hardships beyond what the person can endure...but how come there are ppl in the mental hospitals who have lost all sanity? clearly these ppl have had enough hardships to lose their minds..?

can someone please tell me something from the bible which sheds some light on this?

also: I read somewhere that Job's trials only occured for a duration of a couple of weeks...is this true?
JOb got a direct answer from God...and God later blessed him with even more than what he had before... But what about the people who endure hardships for years and years with no answer from God? Jobs trials seem very insignificant compared to what others go through

i am still a christian and i am not trying to bring down the bible or god...i reallllly want an answer to this

i feel myself slowly abandoning the belief in God...its too hard

Well, I don't understand any of it either.

Sometimes...there just aren't answers to those questions. I struggle with questions over how things are every day. I think it might be best to try and not think about it and worry about it. Yeah, yeah, easy to say, not easy to do, I know. Try to focus more on living an upright life (i.e. don't do things that you wouldn't do if Jesus were in the room with you, pray more often that God will help you have peace inside, do nice things for others, etc.)

And hope. It's all you really can do is hope God will set things right. Faith, hope, love, and all that.

Edit: I know that's really ineffectual. But I don't have anything better, I'm sorry.
As for the comparison with Job, well, it's best not to compare yourself to Biblical figures. You don't have all the information when it comes to that. You'll just start thinking it's not fair because God didn't directly tell you what to do, as with Adam and Even, Noah, Moses, and the others.

Anyways, take care, and God bless you.

 

[BK4G]

Hi,

Repent means to turn away. So we turn away from our sin. You don't get punished for sin. It is written, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. God loves us dearly as a parent loves their child and he does correct us, but not by making us suffer in any way.

He corrects us in a way much more than a loving father on earth would do.

With sin, sometimes we see a direct consequence. If we steal and get caught, can get arrested type of thing. But we don't always see the consequence of our sin, and may not ever in this life, but their is consequence however we are in a time of grace, and we are not under the law.

God in no way wants you to suffer. He never intended us to suffer and doesn't bring it on us. He loves you very much.

I hope this has helped some.

God bless,
tapero

"he does correct us, but not by making us suffer in any way" but im pretty sure the bible says he does...that he gives trials in a person's life in order to correct that person

maybe God wants suffering if it is in line with what he planned...maybe his plan is more important than what humans feel...if suffering and death is what he wants he's gonna allow it to happen and we're not supposed to understand anything...maybe we are nothing....

like with the Job story...it just feels like humans are just puppets in some game played by God/satan/angels etc...humans are powerless and they are just there to suffer and die for the amusement of others or to fulfil someone else's plans...it feels like were just being used and abused...and no one's giving us true answers to anything... God just seems like a shady salesperson trying to sell us false hope...and it feels like whoever it is whether it is satan or God, people will ultimately be the victims...so it makes no difference whose side you are on...

 

[Onlythingavailable]

If God only wanted to play with us, why did He reward Job at the end for his faithfulness? If God doesn't care, why did He sacrifice His only son so man and God could be reconciled? Why would He promise eternal life if He didn't care?

"Sin is still around in the world, but the power of sin over those who believe was destroyed."

but what does that specifically mean? ive heard phrases like that a million times in my life...but it doesnt mean anything becuase ppl who believe still sin...and they still go through horrendous things in life....and ppl are even effected by OTHER ppl's sin as well...so its power hasnt been "destroyed" over "those who believe"...why would the bible even say such a thing? when all evidence indicate that its so not true?

Sorry, I missed this post earlier so didn't respond.

Sin's power over those who believe has been destroyed because through Jesus we are forgiven and do not have to suffer the penalty of sin, death. Everyone has fallen short of the glory of God, and without Jesus we would be doomed. As Unitynlove said, we are capable of sinning, but with Jesus we can also fight it. We struggle and do our best to not sin. By believing and repenting Jesus' blood cleanses us from our sins, and we are considered righteous. That is God's victory over sin. God provides salvation, not man through his works, but God through Jesus.

Life here will never be perfect, only when Jesus comes again will things improve and the world you long after come.

 

[tapero]

"he does correct us, but not by making us suffer in any way" but im pretty sure the bible says he does...that he gives trials in a person's life in order to correct that person

maybe God wants suffering if it is in line with what he planned...maybe his plan is more important than what humans feel...if suffering and death is what he wants he's gonna allow it to happen and we're not supposed to understand anything...maybe we are nothing....

like with the Job story...it just feels like humans are just puppets in some game played by God/satan/angels etc...humans are powerless and they are just there to suffer and die for the amusement of others or to fulfil someone else's plans...it feels like were just being used and abused...and no one's giving us true answers to anything... God just seems like a shady salesperson trying to sell us false hope...and it feels like whoever it is whether it is satan or God, people will ultimately be the victims...so it makes no difference whose side you are on...

God does in no way want us or cause us to suffer. God is good. God never does evil, never does wrong. Don't you feel that causing someone to suffer is wrong? It is evil to cause someone to suffer.

Sister, our battle is spiritual one. God loves you very much and deeply. We aren't puppets, we have free will, and so does everyone else who will hurt us, out of their own sin.

It's a faith issue. Knowing God's character is what it comes down to, and trusting him.

God did no evil with Job, satan did.

God does not take away free will from his creation. He does not go against his created ones free will, including satan.

I hope this helps a little.

God bless,
tapero