Is it wrong to believe in miracles?

[patriot91]

How can one believe that miracles/divine intervention/providence can occur in our daily lives when the world as a whole endures so much suffering? How can we believe that miracles happen in our daily lives when God permits things like genocide to happen? Certainly, God provided no miracles for those who perished in the Holocaust. (And I don't want any "because the Bible says so" answers).

 

[Bobinator]

A lot of people fail to realize the amount of responsibility God gave to mankind. In the beginning, God gave everything to Adam and told him to dress the garden. Adam was also given the responsiblity to classify and name all the animals. Adam was basically lord over the earth. He gave that up to Satan when he fell to temptation, whereby he is referred to as the "prince of this world." Before then, even the thorns and thistles didn't exist. Animals didn't kill each other either.
It is through God's grace that we can be redeemed from this mess we created, and see every day miracles.

You say "we" didn't create this mess? Look at the way people vote. We don't demand righteousness from our politicians. We also allow greed and corruption to run our society.

True, we're not doing this on an individual basis, but I'm sure we add to this mess in some way by the things we do and don't do.

This entire situation is why the end times must occur. God is going to finally do a major overhaul. In the end, the books will be opened, and everyone will be judged according to his works.

 

[patriot91]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I don't see the "end times" as a good thing, and I don't believe in them. God created us perfectly imperfect, and I see no reason why He would replace this wonderful flawed world with a perfect, sterile theocracy.

Not to be rude, but I really didn't want a Bible-thumping answer -- I was looking for more of a 'personal reflection' answer, if you know what I mean.

 

[alatir]

I believe in miracles because they happen and quite honestly I woulnd't believe in God at all if He didn't perform miracles. He is a supernatural God. Greatest miracle that He has rendered to me is the Holy Spirit. You just have to realize that you're a sinner and you need God's mercy and the greatest miracle happened 2000 years ago.

 

[JPPT1974]

We will be judged on both our
Good deeds as well as our wrongdoings
Giving an account of what we have done!

 

[Prncssmn7]

I had lost my faith and just found it again recently. I told the story of my pregnancy many times but it wasn't until today that I realized the miracles that were in it.


I had a REALLY bad pregnancy. I was 6 months pregnant, my ex had left me and I was living in a motel. I had been violently ill the whole time. My mother finally let me come live with her (nice, considering that I was giving her all of my money). One day I heard a voice telling me to go to the hospital immediately, something was wrong with my baby. That was odd since I didn't feel bad or sick. The minute my mother got home I told her we needed to go to the hospital. She was in a bad mood, but I told her I'd walk if she wouldn't drive me (the hospital was right up the street). We go to the hospital and I got out of the car. As I reached the door to the emergency entrance, I passed out (someone caught me). They carried me inside and started to work on me. Long story short, I had an UTI. The doctor said if I had come in even an hour later I would have lost my son. I had to stay inthe hospital for a week then go on bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. MIRACLE #1

I needed medication and my mother refused to use the money I have her for it. I had to go to work (even though I was supposed to be on bedrest) at a job that involved me being on my feet all day to make the money. Not only did they let me come in without being on the schedule, a client came in and tipped me all the money I needed plus some and I was able to go home an hour after I got there. MIRACLE #2

Then when I went into labor, my son's heart would stop beating every time I contracted. On top of it, I was hemmoraging. I didn't know this until later, but the paper my mother thrust in my face while I was being wheeled into surgery for me to sign gave her the right to choose who lived or died. It didn't look like either one of us would make it, but both of us did. MIRACLES 3 & 4

Call them saving us and the money what you want. But I was home ALONE when God told me to go to the hospital, that something was wrong. No matter what definition you use for the word miracle, my son's life is a miracle in that God spoke to me and told me to go to the hospital and we got there just in time or I would have lost him.

I was never one to really put too much stock in miracles. But God makes a way where there isn't one. I don't know what else to call it.

I hope my story helps.

Oh, and an answer about all the bad things? There is no right without left. No up without down. No good without bad. It stinks, but it's also the way it has to be. We are human and we make mistakes. For us to get to where we need to be, we have to keep working until we get it right.

 

[Shubunkin]

More miracles happen in our lives than we realize. Many of them are happening before we think we need them. Yes, I believe in miracles, but on the other hand, you cannot count on them, either. It's a matter of God's will. You don't want a Christian answer, but this is my personal view of them. Sometimes things happen quite the opposite of what we want, but if we view those events down the road (years from now) sometimes those events become a miracle, or a turn of things that wouldn't have been otherwise. God sees it further down, and we pray for the present. We really need to view it from God's perspective to see the reasons.

 

[MerchDuw]

Hi. God is a miraculous God. I know because He has performed a mirace in me. I have suffered from hyperthyroedism. The doctors were talking about giving me radiation to kill the thyroed gland compleatly. I would then have to be dependant on medication to replace the hormones for life. I went back to see my consultant. My thyroed test was compleatly normal. They couldn't explain it! The power of prayer! God is a wonderful, miraculous God who loves his children more that I can comprehend. The fab thing is that I don't have to comprehend it, just accept it. It is what it is.

 

[MerchDuw]

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[Quasicentennial]

I don't believe it is wrong or even insane to believe in God who created us to experience and learn constantly what is good and evil. I think the greatest miracle of all is composure: staying calm, relaxed while staying healthy by eating the right foods such as eating more green vegetables, fruit and breakfast cereal like Cornflakes or muesli. People earning less than 10,000 per year should be able to afford cheap food brands such as Home Brand and still be healthy as those who can afford the expensive brands. Working long hours can be suffering, even up to six days, and yet people can survive - they just need to to get used to it. The most important lesson is to eat healthy foods. It means no fastfoods like hamburgers and fried chips.

 

[crisleem]

How can one believe that miracles/divine intervention/providence can occur in our daily lives when the world as a whole endures so much suffering? How can we believe that miracles happen in our daily lives when God permits things like genocide to happen? Certainly, God provided no miracles for those who perished in the Holocaust. (And I don't want any "because the Bible says so" answers).

I believe this is a question many people have when their faith is not exactly where it should be. Or when they are suffering.

We must remember that most of the suffering in this world is caused by humans. And God gave us all Free Will. Therefore we create it, He allows it only because we can't truly LOVE, or SERVE Him properly if we don't "choose" to do it.

Miracles still happen everyday, we just refuse to see them and except them for the simple fact they do come from God. There were many miracles during the 2nd World War. He just didn't save them all. Not because they weren't worthy, but because human being have the 'free will' to choose to refuse God's will everyday! And that is what they did. God gave humans the chose of good or evil, and some chose evil. But look also at those that do so much good.

New stations don't talk about all the good in the world because we expect those things. The bad things are shocking because they are actually not the norm! News just make them seem like the norm.

And remember (if your a Christian) God came from Heaven into human form as Jesus Christ (the Son). He suffered terribly for all of us. I think He chose the method He did for a reason. It got the attention we required. People didn't seem to believe the miracles he was performing before His death and resurrection. He chose a horrible torturous death to wake us up! And His resurrection was such a huge miracle no one could deny that. He told His disciples they too would suffer. He chose those that suffered to help most. He told his disciples that those that suffered would be rewarded in Heaven. You may think of that as a "the Bible says..." reason, but the Bible was an actual account of Christ's life and the words He spoke to the ones closest to Him. The only way we know Him is through the teaching from the Bible. So, we can't really answer such a question without using the Bible. It is where knowledge of Him comes from either by personal interpretation (not my chosen method, but well used by many) or taught by a church. I prefer to use it as a Historical Account when learning from it. By using history we are to better understand what He meant in the things he said and did.
Suffering has always been and will always be.
I can't understand the sufferings of non-human related problems. But I don't let this shake my faith in God. I live in the knowledge that when I die all those suffering will be greatly rewarded in Heaven where we will never suffer again. God allowed me to have a chronic illness with constant pain. I used to question why all the time. But when I changed my attitude about it, I didn't suffer as much. I stopped asking 'why me?' I began to realize that this is my 'cross' and I will carry it with the most grace I know how. I could choose to become addicted to pain medication that will fog my brain and make me a terrible mother and wife. But I decided to instead remember that Christ suffered far far greater than I....and to be close to Him, I can handle what He gives me. Otherwise, I will suffer greater in self-pity and despair. He may have allowed me to get sick. But He still shows me miracles often. I think I see them more now than ever. The more I trust in Him, the less my suffering is! I hope that made any sense at all!
God Bless!

 

[crisleem]

I had lost my faith and just found it again recently. I told the story of my pregnancy many times but it wasn't until today that I realized the miracles that were in it.


I had a REALLY bad pregnancy. I was 6 months pregnant, my ex had left me and I was living in a motel. I had been violently ill the whole time. My mother finally let me come live with her (nice, considering that I was giving her all of my money). One day I heard a voice telling me to go to the hospital immediately, something was wrong with my baby. That was odd since I didn't feel bad or sick. The minute my mother got home I told her we needed to go to the hospital. She was in a bad mood, but I told her I'd walk if she wouldn't drive me (the hospital was right up the street). We go to the hospital and I got out of the car. As I reached the door to the emergency entrance, I passed out (someone caught me). They carried me inside and started to work on me. Long story short, I had an UTI. The doctor said if I had come in even an hour later I would have lost my son. I had to stay inthe hospital for a week then go on bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. MIRACLE #1

I needed medication and my mother refused to use the money I have her for it. I had to go to work (even though I was supposed to be on bedrest) at a job that involved me being on my feet all day to make the money. Not only did they let me come in without being on the schedule, a client came in and tipped me all the money I needed plus some and I was able to go home an hour after I got there. MIRACLE #2

Then when I went into labor, my son's heart would stop beating every time I contracted. On top of it, I was hemmoraging. I didn't know this until later, but the paper my mother thrust in my face while I was being wheeled into surgery for me to sign gave her the right to choose who lived or died. It didn't look like either one of us would make it, but both of us did. MIRACLES 3 & 4

Call them saving us and the money what you want. But I was home ALONE when God told me to go to the hospital, that something was wrong. No matter what definition you use for the word miracle, my son's life is a miracle in that God spoke to me and told me to go to the hospital and we got there just in time or I would have lost him.

I was never one to really put too much stock in miracles. But God makes a way where there isn't one. I don't know what else to call it.

I hope my story helps.

Oh, and an answer about all the bad things? There is no right without left. No up without down. No good without bad. It stinks, but it's also the way it has to be. We are human and we make mistakes. For us to get to where we need to be, we have to keep working until we get it right.

Absolutely perfect reply. While many without faith and a refuse to try some will still dismiss all those 'miracles,' they are still miracles. And I'm so glad it restored you're faith.
I never really felt there was no God, but there was a time in my life when he wasn't #1. I used to laugh when people called birth a miracle. Heck we've been doing it since the beginning of man...duh! What is the miracle in that....well then I had my first child. Heck it's a miracle anyone survives that...much less anyone surviving your story.

I'm going to share my story about 'talking with Jesus' in a more appropriate thread later. He came to me in another person. And when you finally decide to have faith in Him, you realize the miracles He performs on a constant basis.

Anytime I thought life was absolutely falling apart and we wouldn't make it though, something always happened. Something so unexpected. That's a simple miracle to me!

 

[fluteserenity]

dear patriot91,

miracles are everywhere, even if you don't see them. But, if you open your mind and soul to them, you will notice how every day of your life holds a miracle and whether it be big or small, one only has to accept it and open up their eyes to see it.

It is increadible what is around us everyday. A miracle is your son or daughter saying NO to their best friends as they offer them a drink or a smoke. A miracle is a mother who was told she was sterile having two children, as was the case with my mother. A miracle is that there are doctor and nurses during christmas and new year's at the hospital saving people's lives. A miracle is an ant that can carry ten times its own weight.

Every day things are the miracles of life.

and when you say that miracles did not occur to the unfortunate souls of the holocaust, why, we must remember that God gave us free will and it is up to us to do something, he will not force us.
We must learn to fix problems ourselves and learn never to blame God, for he loves us all with everything in him, but to blame ourselves for the wretchedness of this world.

I know that this may have not answered your question, but this is the way I look at miracles.

 

[fluteserenity]

I had lost my faith and just found it again recently. I told the story of my pregnancy many times but it wasn't until today that I realized the miracles that were in it.


I had a REALLY bad pregnancy. I was 6 months pregnant, my ex had left me and I was living in a motel. I had been violently ill the whole time. My mother finally let me come live with her (nice, considering that I was giving her all of my money). One day I heard a voice telling me to go to the hospital immediately, something was wrong with my baby. That was odd since I didn't feel bad or sick. The minute my mother got home I told her we needed to go to the hospital. She was in a bad mood, but I told her I'd walk if she wouldn't drive me (the hospital was right up the street). We go to the hospital and I got out of the car. As I reached the door to the emergency entrance, I passed out (someone caught me). They carried me inside and started to work on me. Long story short, I had an UTI. The doctor said if I had come in even an hour later I would have lost my son. I had to stay inthe hospital for a week then go on bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. MIRACLE #1

I needed medication and my mother refused to use the money I have her for it. I had to go to work (even though I was supposed to be on bedrest) at a job that involved me being on my feet all day to make the money. Not only did they let me come in without being on the schedule, a client came in and tipped me all the money I needed plus some and I was able to go home an hour after I got there. MIRACLE #2

Then when I went into labor, my son's heart would stop beating every time I contracted. On top of it, I was hemmoraging. I didn't know this until later, but the paper my mother thrust in my face while I was being wheeled into surgery for me to sign gave her the right to choose who lived or died. It didn't look like either one of us would make it, but both of us did. MIRACLES 3 & 4

Call them saving us and the money what you want. But I was home ALONE when God told me to go to the hospital, that something was wrong. No matter what definition you use for the word miracle, my son's life is a miracle in that God spoke to me and told me to go to the hospital and we got there just in time or I would have lost him.

I was never one to really put too much stock in miracles. But God makes a way where there isn't one. I don't know what else to call it.

I hope my story helps.

Oh, and an answer about all the bad things? There is no right without left. No up without down. No good without bad. It stinks, but it's also the way it has to be. We are human and we make mistakes. For us to get to where we need to be, we have to keep working until we get it right.

That is a perfect response