Obey Them that Rule???

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

LOL, ooops...there is Michlow being too transparent again. God is in control, right? He "allows" things to happen to us. God is sovereign. Agreed?

Actually, I thought perhaps you had mistyped. That was the reason for my "huh". God has never done anything bad to me. When things go badly (and they have many, many times), I don't blame Him. He's the one who has helped me through those times. I can't really even wrap my mind around your thoughts, and I'm not holding your honesty against you. It really just doesn't compute. I was raised by parents who never had it good, who lost people they loved, who went through many painful experiences, who were never rich, and who, so long as they were saved, never held those things against God.

I don't think its good to even voice those kinds of thoughts, but to rather rebuke them, when you feel them rising up within you.

Well, I have had a pretty sucky life. And it will most likely continue to be so, and most people who have known me for any length of time can guess as to some of the reasons why.

I know that I am not without responsibility, as well as the fact that we live in a fallen world...yadda yadda yadda...

So like I said I am honest about my struggles and doubts. Yes, I struggle often between what I KNOW and what I FEEL. Sometimes I FEEL that God is capricious, and I often wonder when he is going to cause me immense pain and suffering again, "for my own good". And sometimes I feel resentful. My lot in like really sucks, and I am trapped, no way out, and lucky me, I get to suffer for another 50 years.

I wish I could be all "praise the Lord, he smites me daily, hallelujah", but I am just not as spiritual as some.

LOL, I just read that over, and it really borders on bitter, and I'm really not. But yes, I do have trust issues.

Well, then, this whole thread is moot in reference to you in particular. Until you learn to trust God, everything else is for naught.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Actually, I thought perhaps you had mistyped. That was the reason for my "huh". God has never done anything bad to me.

Then you should be extremely thankful!

Well, then, this whole thread is moot in reference to you in particular. Until you learn to trust God, everything else is for naught.

Actually you are most likely right. Though I must point out, that I do as much as possible submit to God, even without trusting Him. If you believe that is even possible.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Then you should be extremely thankful!

Goodness, Michlow. I hope you don't think that my life is a bed of roses. You have no idea. But the truth is, we could all write a long list of hardships. Some more than others.

There is a woman in our church (an older woman), whose husband is suffering from colon cancer (and has been in and out of remission and chemo and radiation, etc, for over two years). Her son died about a year and a half ago from the same type of cancer. Her granddaughter has diabetes and is often sick and in the hospital. Her grandson-in-law died last year from unknown causes. Her first son was killed years back in a motorcycle accident. She herself has been weak, and had trouble with her hip, including surgery (I believe that is accurate). And yet, in all that, she continues to raise her hands in church and thank God for His goodness and she praises Him and testifies about Him at every opportunity. She always has a word of encouragement for me. I have heard her express pain, but never place blame on God for the troubles her family has endured.

This is just one example, but there are so many people who hold fast to God, and simply PUT their trust and faith in Him, no matter what, that it is difficult to comprehend how anyone with less troubles could not do the same. Job said, "Though He SLAY me, YET will I trust in Him." Job was stating his personal CHOICE on the matter.

My father used to read me a children's book called "It Could Be Worse." He read it to me quite often, and he would also read it to folks who came in for "counselling." No matter what happens to us, there is almost always someone else who has had it worse.

Actually you are most likely right. Though I must point out, that I do as much as possible submit to God, even without trusting Him. If you believe that is even possible.

Of course its possible. But I believe that trust is a choice we make, not a feeling we have. I choose to trust God, even when I don't understand Him. That means that I have peace, even when I don't possess happiness, because He's the one directing my steps, and the burden is not on my shoulders.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Goodness, Michlow. I hope you don't think that my life is a bed of roses. You have no idea. But the truth is, we could all write a long list of hardships. Some more than others.

There is a woman in our church (an older woman), whose husband is suffering from colon cancer (and has been in and out of remission and chemo and radiation, etc, for over two years). Her son died about a year and a half ago from the same type of cancer. Her granddaughter has diabetes and is often sick and in the hospital. Her grandson-in-law died last year from unknown causes. Her first son was killed years back in a motorcycle accident. She herself has been weak, and had trouble with her hip, including surgery (I believe that is accurate). And yet, in all that, she continues to raise her hands in church and thank God for His goodness and she praises Him and testifies about Him at every opportunity. She always has a word of encouragement for me. I have heard her express pain, but never place blame on God for the troubles her family has endured.

This is just one example, but there are so many people who hold fast to God, and simply PUT their trust and faith in Him, no matter what, that it is difficult to comprehend how anyone with less troubles could not do the same. Job said, "Though He SLAY me, YET will I trust in Him." Job was stating his personal CHOICE on the matter.

My father used to read me a children's book called "It Could Be Worse." He read it to me quite often, and he would also read it to folks who came in for "counselling." No matter what happens to us, there is almost always someone else who has had it worse.



Of course its possible. But I believe that trust is a choice we make, not a feeling we have. I choose to trust God, even when I don't understand Him. That means that I have peace, even when I don't possess happiness, because He's the one directing my steps, and the burden is not on my shoulders.

I am no Job, and I have no desire to even try to be. To be perfectly honest, I hate it when people do the old "someone has it worse" than you bit. What that basically says to me is that my suffering is unimportant.

Please don't get the wrong idea, I am not one to go around constantly whining about my sucky life. In fact, the forum, and 2 close friends, are it. I don't discuss it at work or at church.

I was thinking more about what you said and how I responded. The truth is, when I truly believe something to be God's will, i.e. he tells me to do something, I do it, because I believe that he knows best. So I guess it would be fair to say that I trust his knoweldge or sovereignty. However, when it comes down to it...well....you know how you can love someone, but not like them?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

I am no Job, and I have no desire to even try to be. To be perfectly honest, I hate it when people do the old "someone has it worse" than you bit. What that basically says to me is that my suffering is unimportant.

Well, that's because it is. In the grand scheme of things, our suffering can't compare to what Christ suffered, and He shouldered all of our burdens and sins. There's more trite cliches for you!!!! You know, though, the cliches are often the Truth.

Please don't get the wrong idea, I am not one to go around constantly whining about my sucky life. In fact, the forum, and 2 close friends, are it. I don't discuss it at work or at church.

I was thinking more about what you said and how I responded. The truth is, when I truly believe something to be God's will, i.e. he tells me to do something, I do it, because I believe that he knows best. So I guess it would be fair to say that I trust his knoweldge or sovereignty. However, when it comes down to it...well....you know how you can love someone, but not like them?

If they had a *chuckle* emoticon, I would add it here.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

If they had a *chuckle* emoticon, I would add it here.

How about if we find a "Chuckles the clown" emoticon?

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Michlow

I am no Job, and I have no desire to even try to be. To be perfectly honest, I hate it when people do the old "someone has it worse" than you bit. What that basically says to me is that my suffering is unimportant.

Please don't get the wrong idea, I am not one to go around constantly whining about my sucky life. In fact, the forum, and 2 close friends, are it. I don't discuss it at work or at church.

I was thinking more about what you said and how I responded. The truth is, when I truly believe something to be God's will, i.e. he tells me to do something, I do it, because I believe that he knows best. So I guess it would be fair to say that I trust his knoweldge or sovereignty. However, when it comes down to it...well....you know how you can love someone, but not like them?

Michlow, the above highlighted reminded me of the theme song of the broadway musical, "Avenue Q"!

"It Sucks to be Me!" J/K

We love you around here, girl!

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Actually, I thought perhaps you had mistyped. That was the reason for my "huh". God has never done anything bad to me. When things go badly (and they have many, many times), I don't blame Him. He's the one who has helped me through those times. I can't really even wrap my mind around your thoughts, and I'm not holding your honesty against you. It really just doesn't compute. I was raised by parents who never had it good, who lost people they loved, who went through many painful experiences, who were never rich, and who, so long as they were saved, never held those things against God.

I don't think its good to even voice those kinds of thoughts, but to rather rebuke them, when you feel them rising up within you.

Ok, you added to this after I already replied. You are right, there is no way that you could possibly understand
my thoughts or the hopelessness of my situation.

But I can say this, if God can't handle my honesty. Then he's not God.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Ok, you added to this after I already replied. You are right, there is no way that you could possibly understand
my thoughts or the hopelessness of my situation.

But I can say this, if God can't handle my honesty. Then he's not God.

Michlow, God can handle anything. It's not about whether He can "handle" your honesty.