I'm in a spot right now. It isn't a bad spot, but it is a spot none the less. I have been a Christian a while, but I have always had an issue with faith. Maybe it was my childhood with a non-existent father who lied so much and made many promises that he never kept. I don't know, but what I do know is that I have the I'll believe it when I see it attitude, at times, with the promises of God. I mean did he promise it or were they the writings of someone else that had just experienced Him move in their life. See that changes the certainty of the promise, at least in my mind. Because there are things that I consider a promise, but just don't happen with everyone. For instance, the scripture that says, I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread. Well, I have seen the righteous forsaken and them and their seed begging for bread. I mean, with all the homeless or destitute paople and families, are we to assume that none of them are in Christ? That doesn't work for me. That is not to doubt what David said in Ps. 37:25, but it happens.
Or take healing for instance. When you are sick or healthy we stand on a myriad of healing scriptures. But the truth is that it doesn't work all of the time. Sometimes people are healed and sometimes they die. It is not given that just because I believe or pray that you will be in health that you will be in health. How do I reason that away.
How would I pray for safety for my family and stand on Psalm 91, and then something awful happens to someone in my family. How would I make sense of that. I know Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." But so is chance or a lottery ticket, for that matter. How do I explain to my children how they can pray and have faith in God, but it doesn't turn out like the scriptures say. Yes, I know how I have anwswered their questions before. Well, God is able to do what he wants and can choose to do what he wills. But that doesn't work for me---not really, so I doubt if that works for them. That kind of thinking puts a little clause or footnote in my mind in regards to His promises. It would go like this, He can do all this plus some if He wants too. This reasoning doesn't help my to have certainty in His actions or know how to cast my cares on Him. See, I can give it to him, but I have shakey faith that he will handle it. I don't doubt that he can. The doubt lies with will he do it.
I'm just thinking things out. I know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, I plan on studying faith with the hopes of operating in it, because right now, where I am, if I have some need I fall into fear and worry. I know I can't fix it, but I don't know if He will do it. So here lies the problem that needs to be worked out in my mind and heart. I know some poeple will think this type of thinking is crazy, but I believe that many people have had this cross their mind once or twice. I want to just be able to trust God with everything, so for me it will take a little extra to make that happen. For years I've said what I know is "right" to say. I've prayed a way that would seem that I was in faith with no fear, but it is not the time to hide any longer. God knows where I am, and I want to walk victoriously on this earth with full conviction that God does what he says.
Oh well, I know I need to go, but it feels so much better to get that off my chest. In the midst of me feeling this way, I came across this blog that helped me to regain a little focus. Pray for me as I walk this out.
I know you don't know me so I hope it is okay to respond.
I've been a Believer for as long as I can remember and I'm 38yrs old. I understand why you have questions and I encourage you to continue to read your Bible and seek the Lord, but not only that I think there are some books that might help too.
They are by Lee Strobel. I recently started the first one and it is wonderful in my opinion and want to read the others. The reason I read this in the first place is I want my children to know why they believe what they do and also how I can defend my faith too.
Lee Strobel was an atheist and guides you through the evidence that leads to our Creator and why the Bible is Truth. I know one of his other books tackles the harder questions about hardships and tragedy.
I hope those and what others will share will help with your questions, our questions and bring peace to your spirit.
Don't ever doubt the Bible... just believe it with faith.
I can personally say that most diseases are actually caused by toxicity or lack of nutritional. Even cancer. Scurvy was once a dreaded disease before vitamin c was known of. Rickets was the same way. Now it is cancer.... btw from personal experience they told me I had it but I cured it with a diet change!!!! So, I know!!! No doctors help!!!
And in our country there is almost no excuse to be homeless. There are so many agencies to help out there. Other countries it is different. And was that David speaking those words or GOD saying them through David?
I can totally understand what you are saying. I have such a hard time trusting God. Like you said, I know he is able to do anything, it's my fear that he won't. People get sick, they die. That's the world we live in. I see people's children dieing and I wonder why God let it happen. And then I get terrified that He'll let it happen to me. But He will always be there to help you. Even if it isn't physically. And we have the promise of Heaven, where there will be no hunger or pain or death. And that's where our eyes are supposed to be. So maybe these promises are more focused on eternity?
I didn't take the time to read the blog you listed, so he/she might say the same thing that I'm about to say. I wanted to first acknowledge your comment about your earliest experiences with God because of the situation with your father. I think that our first images of God are through our parents, and I have never doubted for an instant that, whatever our particular familial issues were, I had 2 parents in the home all the days of my life. So did my husband, and I know for sure that it is a common ground in our marriage, and a place from which we both operate in interacting with each other and with the children.
I can't speak to every situation, but I can speak to the issue of death, having lost both parents. People assume that if a person dies, the "healing" didn't work. Yet, our Lord tells us that death is indeed ultimate healing for a Christian. Isn't the whole point of the Christian existence to live on this earth so that you can die and live again with Jesus? If a person suffered on this end with illness, they die to inherit a disease-free, worry-free existence with a risen Saviour--is there a better healing than that?
Sometimes we confuse God's will with our will. We don't want people to be homeless, to beg, to lose things through fire or a natural disaster, or just plain mismanagement. But who is to say that the loss is not God's way of divinely pruning off arrogance? Greed? Deceitfulness?
Just because things don't happen as we think they should doesn't mean that God's will is not being executed perfectly. Our children's director has a testimony similar to yours about her father, except that there was the abuse of her mother. Her testimony was that she prayed for a number of years for him to return after he left, but over time, she learned a powerful lesson about God's more perfect way, even when it looks like a complete shambles to us. My sister-in-law has had 2 babies, 2 different dads, unmarried (until the younger one was almost 3, that is)--the whole nine. That comes after being raised in the same house as my saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost superhero. However, you should see the changes in her--far less self-oriented and spoiled, far more humble and giving and loving. God knew what she needed; we're the ones who respond out of ignorance.
Our task is not to understand the mind of God, but to pray and to trust. I hope this helps.
Also, what I originally came to say is that I, too, loved Public Enemy--right up there with A Tribe Called Quest, Run DMC, and KRS 1! But I can't stand Flavor Flav, and I can't stand 99% of this mess that has occurred since rap lost its mind.
In regards to some of the things you listed - by man's sin this world is corrupted and those promises may not be fulfilled until the new heaven and the new earth. Also, God does allow many of those trials to bring his children closer to Him. They can be looked upon as a true blessing and opportunity for spiritual growth.
I'd just like to encourage you with this verse: Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord." We can never fully understand God's ways but we do need to learn to humbly trust in Him.
By God's grace I'm learning right along with you. :D
Amy
((( Angela ))) you rec'd some great comments already....I hope and pray that the Lord has placed wisdom within your spirit about all you question.......
Hi! Long time since I have been to your blog. Blush!
Wow your questions are so normal! And I can so relate to each one. I too have had them in my walk with the Lord. All I can say is God works it out for each of us individually. I work with the homeless and not so fortunate weekly. I am one of the poor. ( yet I love the Lord with all my heart) My husband suffers from a devestating bone disease, I have a cerbral palsy, arthritis, and Fibro. I grew up a product of the foster care system and 13 homes, abuse and not much to hold on to. Do I have questions? You bet! But I also have many many things to praise about. Answered prayer, unexpected blessings, relationship with the Father.
Seek after Him with all your heart. You will find peace in the midst of this.
Hope to hear from you! Have a blessed holiday season.
Hey, just wondering how are you? tried to email you but noticed you do not have that email anymore. And you haven't been blogging in a long while. I hope all is well and your pregnancy is going well. Just wanted to say hi! juliet
Yes, God is with you and your family. We may not always understand the why me. But God's plan is perfect, even when we make right or wrong decisions. God is with us and it the situation will always work out for the good! Yes, appreciate where you are, it is only a season. It was not just for you but for all. Take this time to rest in God and let God be God. Thank him, even when you may not understand. Because it has already been worked out. It ALWAYS works out for the good. I may not see this as I go through situations, but God will show me when I stop having doubt, and I stop complaining. He shows me how he has been with me all along. This is a great testimony to encurage others when you and your husband become pastors. Every obstacle, every sitaution that you all have been through has not always been about you. It has brought you all closer as a family and you don't sweat the small like others, because of what you have been through. You are more sensitive because of what you have been through. My family and I lost our car and home a few years ago. I don't sweat the small things like I did previously. I am thankful for small things too. Food on the table, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, our health and we are in our right mind! We are doing better than most. Now, we am more sensitive to the needs of others after being without food and no money in our pocket and you do not know where your next dollar will come from. We are sensitive to the needs of others after losing our home and not knowing where we were going to go. But, God always shows up and shows out! We will look back at this time in years to come and know that God kept us in our right mind.
For your faithfuliness, transparency and your love God has already positioned you to be setup for a supernatural comeback. And God will get the glory when you move into your new home with your family. No one will get the credit, but our father-God!
Continue to read scripture on how delivered HIS own people out of every situation.
"Have not I comamanded you? Be strong, vigorous and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
And when God blesses you and He will, it will be like Psalms 126:1-6.
Have a great day because you know without a shadow of a doubt that Yeshua our God is Real!
I'm a wife to a wonderful, loving husband of 13 years. I'm a mom with 7 children aging from 10 years to 9 weeks. I have 1 princess and 6 superheroes. This is my place to share our home, our school and my heart! Welcome! Stop by anytime.
