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I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I can certainly understand why you might think that everything in life is ordained from above and you have no choices. That is not how it is. God The Father knows every detail of everything that will ever happen. Have you ever considered what a heavy burden that is for Him to carry? You have whatever opportunity life offers to advance in the medical profession I’m sure. It’s the one business that is going to continue to grow. The fact that you are currently happily married is a great blessing especially after what sounds like an almost unbearable life. God saw your pain and brought you into a better relationship. That alone beats a great many who are either too shy to bridge the gap or too pitiful. It sounds like you have a great deal of life ahead of you.I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I understand completely how you feel! I feel like Charlie Brown a lot too! I think some aspects of life are preordained, but others aren't. Because of free-will God lets us go our own way to a certain extent, amd other people's free-will affects us too, and bigger circumstances like the virus. But I am sure you know as well as I do all the scriptures where God steps in. There are miracles. He parted the red sea, healed the sick, cast out demons...He cares for His people, and even cares deeply for those who do not love Him.I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I am reminded of Romans 8.28 also.Hello, I don't know if this will answer you.
Firstly it is so important that we mustn't judge our success in life, by worldly standards.
We are not of the world.
You may look at many in the Bible who followed God and see just what losers ( in the worlds eyes) they all were. Let's see, most of all Jesus: He had nowhere to lay His head, was despised by most, friends forsook Him....the list goes on.
What about Paul in prison, was he a success?
Myself in the worlds eyes: a loser.
On disability, health problems, no spouse, no children, the list goes on.
But I have God and when all is said and done that's ALL that really matters.
Nowhere in the Bible are we ever told our lives will be easy, on the contrary we are told that we will suffer persecution and will be hated.
Here is one Scripture for you that is in the end of Genesis where Joseph had endured much at the hand of his brothers and finally after years, was reconciled with his family.speaking to his brothers
Genesis 50:20
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive".
No matter what happens in a Christians life it doesn't happen by chance God is working it for good.
I believe with all my heart that the situation the world is in now will give all people an opportunity: Christians to draw nearest to God than ever before and rely totally upon Him and His promise to provide all our NEEDS. Matthew 6:25-34.
The other opportunity is for people who don't know God, will realise the answers to life, is not found in man, and I pray they will call out to God in repentance.
God bless you and may you see that you are precious to God, what the world thinks, who cares?
Instead of trying - and maybe failing - to comment point by point, Romans 8 is a great chapter to consider, I believe.I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I scanned through all the answers to you so far, and only saw one that hinted at the fact that your choices are one of the very means by which God accomplishes what he predestined to happen from the start. It is not that your are predestined for failure. It is that you are predestined to do every detail God has in mind for you to do. And this is for HIS sake, but also for yours if you choose to pursue him, rather than to favor this life over him.I want to thank everyone for the kind words, encouragement, and wisdom. I am reading and studying each response.
I'm thinking I haven't really answered "where [your] thinking is wrong", so I'll try again. You are more or less correct about the book being already written, except, to put it technical look at it, God is not bound by time. Your decisions are part of what he uses to write that book. By that I don't mean he flies his creation by the seat of his pants, waiting for your decision in order to write the book, but that your choices are still yours to make, and that they always have real consequences, which are already written.I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong, because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I already know my thinking is wrong; there is no need to tell me that much. I'd like to know, please, exactly where the errors are and how to correct them with Scripture.
I have it in my head that people's lives are written out beforehand, sort of like a book. Events and outcomes are already decided. This is going to happen on page 16, and that will happen on page 300. There is nothing the character in the book can do to change it. In fact, it really doesn't matter what the character wants. If she wants with all her heart to be a ballerina, but the author has written a story about a character who never gets to be a ballerina, then something will always happen to stop her from becoming a ballerina, because that's the plot.
And, I further have it in my head that my character will never be successful in a career. It's not written in my life story for me to succeed. I'm a Charlie Brown character; he was never supposed to kick that football, no matter how many times he tried. The story of my life appears to be to *almost* succeed, but something beyond my control always interferes.
I'd grown up in poverty, married into domestic violence, escaped it, survived a car accident making my former profession (nursing assistant, which is very physically strenuous) impossible to pursue, was on disability and in subsidized housing for many years, and then married a man who could support me and get me the medical care I needed. I finally overcame disability enough to be able to get a job at all... and now this. I had *just* been promoted at work. I was *almost on the brink* of succeeding. Then they shut the office down, and my husband has gotten word he's going to be laid off too. Now it's right back to wondering how we're going to survive, just like the circumstances I grew up in. I didn't escape that life after all. I only thought I had.
I've just read where this virus crisis could last up to 18 months. That's an awful long time for both me *and* my husband to be laid off. And by the time it's over, with my paltry work history, will I be too old to get another job?
Yes, I realize the virus didn't come into existence merely for the purpose of forcing me and/or my husband out of work. And I realize we're far from the only ones in this boat. But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed. If I start to, then something is going to happen to knock me back down to the bottom of the heap.... where I belong because that's the way the author wrote it.
Will someone please show me Scripturally that 1.) our lives are not written down beforehand, to be completely unchangeable by us, and 2.) God didn't pre-ordain me to be a loser no matter how hard I try?
Thank you.
We know how various people have had things become totally impossible and horrible for them, but then God succeeded in sharing all He did with those people.But I can't shake the notion that it's written somewhere, I'm not allowed to succeed.
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