Where Are You, God?

JourneyToPeace said:

The small section in Mark Buchanan's book, "Things Unseen: Living In Light of Forever" is from page 43 of the softcover Multnomah edition. It's been a huge comfort to me lately.



Powerful words. Because we live in a fallen world, with so many things going wrong, the occasional glimpses of hope, kindness, gentleness and love we see in this world are evidence OF the world we were created for-- and it's NOT this one. Whenever I see all of the hurt in the world, it helps me to remember that we WERE created for eternity. While we're here, in the meantime, we're called to do all of the good that we CAN do. But it's my greatest comfort to know that this isn't all there is. We aren't here in vain.

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Yeah, I figured that out a long time ago... and it helps to know that. Free will is a powerful thing. We suffer because of it. Because man is free to chose evil and so often does.

Bad things happen, random things happen but all works for the good for those who love God and are called to His purpose. Gotta keep believing that, because what's the alternative?

I also think it helps to know, God is not the cause of anyone's "dark night." I do not believe He does that to anyone. Gives them a dark night to see what they are really made of.

I think stuff just happens, people cause you so much grief, you question.

Random, senseless things happen, you question.

You actually have a mental illness or depression, you question.

Other people do the most incredibly evil things to another, you question.

I think God is there through the dark night and uses it to strengthen us and give us tremendous grace, but I don't believe it is God doing this to us.

You go through some seriously bad stuff and so God is going to say, hey, this is a good time to test the person, so let me now remove myself from them at the time when they need me the most...

I just don't think God works that way. But I could be wrong.

He is a God of compassion. He suffers with us, He will not heap more on top of what we are already going through.

What parent does that? They see their kids suffering so they want to take the pain up a notch by making the child believe they have abandoned them?

I don't believe that. Maybe I am wrong, but I do not believe it.

benedictaoo said:

I strongly disagree that we are just tantruming.

I do not believe for a second we should feel like "bad" children becuase we feel this way. We are victims of this world.

Some people go through some serious stuff and I mean serious stuff and to say the way you feel is just a tantrum, is really ridiculous.

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I DID SAY I FEEL THIS WAY... didnt i???
Did i say all people are having tantrums?

:o

You are going through some really serious stuff and now you have to heap guilt on yourself? Really? yeah, ah no.

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Maybe try to understand that it helps me to get over any issues i think God ought to do things my way - instead of His.
eh?

So all I conclude is one thing, life is not fair. Life sucks and we have moments that are joyous and happy and moments that really suck.

Sometimes we can't understand 'why' bad stuff happen when all God has to do is make it stop.

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He does - but it is HIS way that He knows is more beneficial for us.

Hey i lost two nephews - i am no stranger to loss and i know that even if i am stuck living without them - they are with God and have the better reward.
The Lord answered by saying we ought to remember these things.

No one has the full answer to that and I know that it's not God's fault. He made us, yes, and knows what we all will have to endure.

I'm not so sure anymore that it is some test to make us better people and more faithful or whatever. I think it is just the way life in this valley of tears is.

Sin is what caused all this and sin must be really, really horrific that it would cause all this... and we just can't see how horrific it is, but it must be bad.

And all I can say is, on the other side, it must be something fabulous to be worth all this.

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Yea - and so we should know this and realize this - and not give up in spite of our woes.
And therefore, I PERSONALLY FEEL - that I - that is to say myself - feel i am not remembering the GOOD He has given me and i have to sit down and count my blessings to acknowledge that HE is there... and He deserves all thanks.

Much as Job had to do in spite of every ploy from satan to get him to stop believing.

SO if I SAY I FEEL like i am having a tantrum - that is my personal experience... and there is NOTHING wrong with humbling myself to His Will.

Sort of reminds me of today's homily. The priest told us that we all need to be patient and that means being like the prophets and not complaining. Couldn't help but think "May I introduce you to the Prophet Jeremiah-- you know the one who cried out 'You duped me Lord and I let myself be duped!'?" He's a prophet after my own heart--not afraid to say "ouch" when "ouch" is the right response. (And guess what? God still loved him for it.)

whoa... why must people believe every post is about them?

what is up with the confrontation?

I have had thoughts myself that I was just being a brat, as if I had no right to get mad or question but I no longer feel that way.

Some serious bad stuff that happens, you have every right to feel upset about it.

IMO.