Why is it...

[AmusingMargaret]

Why is it, do you think, that when you are most confused and hurt that God seems to be His most silent?

What about the times you pray and pray...and pray...for an issue, and there's just no relief? No freedom from the chains?

Does it ever seem that to you that we are just groping around in the darkness trying to find the light, just barely hanging on until Christ rescues us?

 

[archer75]

Let me be the first to say that I have felt this. Sometimes for years.

I don't know why. Although I suppose that it is possible to get to a state where you feel the presence of God all the time. The mystics of the Church seem to have attained this. And probably many people whose names are forgotten. I'm trying for it. Maybe this is what Paul meant by "those who are perfect / spiritually mature."

 

[Archie the Preacher]

Why is it, do you think, that when you are most confused and hurt that God seems to be His most silent?

One thought that occurs to me is this statement - which is very widespread and accepted - is actually looking at the matter backwards.

Being confused and hurt is a result of us not listening to God when He speaks (leads, directs, inspires - use the word you like). Since we're not listening anyway, God doesn't speak until we're obedient to hear.

Maybe.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

Why is it, do you think, that when you are most confused and hurt that God seems to be His most silent?

Hi
God speaks, in the Bible, straight to us; believe the words that you read and be thankful for them. It is as you soak up his words that you draw close to the Father and he will draw close to you. Be faithful and constant, and he will honour your commitment and fill your heart with such joy.
Ephesians 1
I pray for you constantly,
17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

 

[rocknanchor]

One thought that occurs to me is this statement - which is very widespread and accepted - is actually looking at the matter backwards.

Being confused and hurt is a result of us not listening to God when He speaks (leads, directs, inspires - use the word you like). Since we're not listening anyway, God doesn't speak until we're obedient to hear.

Maybe.

Possibly, not so backwards at all, but straight to the core.

 

[Kiterius]

I find drinking a frosty, chocolate milkshake helps.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Hi
God speaks, in the Bible, straight to us; believe the words that you read and be thankful for them. It is as you soak up his words that you draw close to the Father and he will draw close to you. Be faithful and constant, and he will honour your commitment and fill your heart with such joy.
Ephesians 1
I pray for you constantly,
17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Yes...I know what the Bible says, and I stand on the scriptures that apply to my situation, quote them back to God (like He doesn't know they are there) in my prayers. I have been praying about a particular issue for years, and I know others who are in the same boat, with no answers. Then there are those times when many, many people, across many states, are praying for a little boy with cancer, and he dies anyway. I don't understand...I suppose none of us do. But I'd really like to see a mighty move of good, or at least understand why things seem to stay the same.

I'm just asking questions because I don't see answers to questions like why little children die when so many people are praying in the Bible. I see stories of children being healed, not dying, and even being brought back to life, like Jarius's daughter.

 

[Kiterius]

Yes...I know what the Bible says, and I stand on the scriptures that apply to my situation, quote them back to God (like He doesn't know they are there) in my prayers. I have been praying about a particular issue for years, and I know others who are in the same boat, with no answers. Then there are those times when many, many people, across many states, are praying for a little boy with cancer, and he dies anyway. I don't understand...I suppose none of us do. But I'd really like to see a mighty move of good, or at least understand why things seem to stay the same.

I'm just asking questions because I don't see answers to questions like why little children die when so many people are praying in the Bible. I see stories of children being healed, not dying, and even being brought back to life, like Jarius's daughter.

Sometimes one needs to get out of the boat and go onto the shore. For example, to build a bonfire.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Sometimes one needs to get out of the boat and go onto the shore. For example, to build a bonfire.

Sarcasm?

 

[Kiterius]

Sarcasm?

Intuitive reflection.

 

[quietbloke]

'In this world you will have troubles',Jesus said but He sees us through them because He has overcome the world and we can overcome. We do not understand why children die,but we know that God has a special place for them in heaven.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

I'm just asking questions because I don't see answers to questions like why little children die when so many people are praying in the Bible. I see stories of children being healed, not dying, and even being brought back to life, like Jarius's daughter.

Why, why, why...I lost my son 2 years ago, we prayed so hard for healing, he was 43yrs and has a lovely wife and two small children...it hurts so. Since then I have learnt so much about heaven, and the new heaven and the new earth promised in Revelation. I know there is a big picture, I trust the Father implicitly and I can now put the questions to one side, to be answered in his time.

I feel that there is a different way to read the Bible; I absorb the promises of God, into myself. This is different from quoting them back to God, as you say, he knows them already.

I also know that that old Satan is responsible for all the evil in the world.

The fight is spiritual and with Satan, but it is something that may benefit from some help. I have a book called 'War Room' that is very good, from Amazon, that I would recommend on how to fight the right battle. I pray for my words to be constructive and helpful for you.

Hebrews 13:20-21 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you Lord for your peace

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Why, why, why...I lost my son 2 years ago, we prayed so hard for healing, he was 43yrs and has a lovely wife and two small children...it hurts so. Since then I have learnt so much about heaven, and the new heaven and the new earth promised in Revelation. I know there is a big picture, I trust the Father implicitly and I can now put the questions to one side, to be answered in his time.

I feel that there is a different way to read the Bible; I absorb the promises of God, into myself. This is different from quoting them back to God, as you say, he knows them already.

I also know that that old Satan is responsible for all the evil in the world.

The fight is spiritual and with Satan, but it is something that may benefit from some help. I have a book called 'War Room' that is very good, from Amazon, that I would recommend on how to fight the right battle. I pray for my words to be constructive and helpful for you.

Hebrews 13:20-21 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you Lord for your peace

Thank you for this response! I'm so very sorry about your son, and I admire your faith. I have a feeling that you are a great inspiration to those around you. Is the War Room book you have the same one they made the movie about?