I used to trust God more before I was a practicing Catholic

  • Thread starter Thread starter pwlj_christ87
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

pwlj_christ87

Guest
i hate to say it but before i became practicing i could easily say things like, oh well its in gods hands, etc, or let god handle, etc. now that i am practicing, i see my prayers being answered and i know so to speak he will come through but i cant say i trust him as much, which is a big shame, its like im waiting for him to suprirse me over and over, thoughts?
 
pwlj_christ87 said:
i hate to say it but before i became practicing i could easily say things like, oh well its in gods hands, etc, or let god handle, etc. now that i am practicing, i see my prayers being answered and i know so to speak he will come through but i cant say i trust him as much, which is a big shame, its like im waiting for him to suprirse me over and over, thoughts?
Click to expand...
Now that you’re practicing, that would mean that you should be growing spiritually. When you are growing in trust, you may not experience as an immediate resolution to your problem, as you did before, because God desires to make your trust stronger without immediate answers, proving your fidelity to Him by being faithful , without much or no consolation. It’s easy to remain faithful and trusting when we get what we want, but how faithful would we be if we didn’t get what we wanted, would our trust diminish, And if it did, do we really love God for Himself, or for what He can give?
 
How long have you been practicing? I noticed when I converted (at Easter 2015) that in some ways I feel - I don’t know- less saved? I guess. As a protestant I could simply say, “I’m saved” because I put my faith in Christ and there you go, no matter what I do, I’m saved. As a Catholic I know that I need to go to Confession when I have a mortal sin on my conscience and I feel like I need to do more. More Mass, more prayer, more good works.

At one point I became very frustrated, and even asked how it could be that Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden light, when I certainly didn’t feel that way.

But I have noticed God’s Grace working in me, and it is indeed becoming easier, and I appreciate the additional time I spend reading the Word or engaging in Prayer.

Give it time- and don’t hesitate to tell God about your struggles. He will help you.If you pray the Rosary, as Our Lady for her intercession. She has helped me immensely.
 
AKDee said:
Give it time- and don’t hesitate to tell God about your struggles. He will help you.If you pray the Rosary, as Our Lady for her intercession. She has helped me immensely.
Click to expand...
I have recently become devoted to the Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena. I truly believe I have received many spiritual gifts and graces through Our Lady. It’s been somewhat life changing for me.
 
So I think it’s kind of like this. It’s sort of how a child starts out. Things are pretty simple from their point of view. They have no idea how food gets put on the table every day. And they have no idea where people go all day and how money’s made. So they just trust that everything’ll always work out fine. And since it usually does, their faith that they’ll always be taken care of is easy.

But then they grow up a bit and learn that they need to start taking responsibility for things too. They need to start helping with the chores. They need to give other people a hand with things. Well now they know it takes effort for this stuff to happen. It’s not a free ride after all. It’s actually sort of hard. But I mean the faith’s still there that everything’ll always work out fine. It’s just a bit more of look into how hard things actually are.

Then they grow up even more. Maybe they even move out on their own. Now they realize that they can’t just trust that everything will always work out. Now they realize that they are also responsible for that happening. They are up to their elbows in making these things work. So their simple trust has been replaced by a stronger reality. Their basic faith has been transformed into a deeper understanding. That God’s not just dropping gifts in their lap day after day. God’s not just ignoring all their failings. He’s holding them accountable. He’s holding them responsible. And by that they’re realizing that they’re actually growing in their capacity for faith. They’re growing in depth. And understanding of their role in things. That it’s not a free ride. That everything counts. That everything needs work. That everything’s a lot harder than before.

Because otherwise how else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation? How else is a guy supposed to understand that some of the things he expects to get free from God take real work on his part to make sure they happen? How is he supposed to really appreciate what God does do for him? How is he supposed to recognize the times when God’s really pulled strings for him?

I mean when things were simple the child had few questions. Had little depth. And only a small purpose. But as an adult he has far more to think on. Far more to ask about. Far more to work on. Far more to answer for. And when he needs a hand he’s going to be far more aware of just what he’s asking. He’s going to be more open to suggestions and not just expect simple answers. He’s going to know it sort of is up to him to pull his weight in stuff. That God won’t let him down. But that God expects more effort at this point. More faith. More struggles. More persistence. More perseverance.

Because the reason for being here on Earth. The reason we’re all here. Is supposed to be about finding our way to God. Supposed to be about getting as good and strong as we can be. And we can’t do that without getting pushed a little once in a while. Without getting a taste for disappointment now and then.

Or something. I don’t know if that helps.

Peace pwlj.

-Trident
 
Trident_H said:
So I think it’s kind of like this. It’s sort of how a child starts out. Things are pretty simple from their point of view. They have no idea how food gets put on the table every day. And they have no idea where people go all day and how money’s made. So they just trust that everything’ll always work out fine. And since it usually does, their faith that they’ll always be taken care of is easy.

But then they grow up a bit and learn that they need to start taking responsibility for things too. They need to start helping with the chores. They need to give other people a hand with things. Well now they know it takes effort for this stuff to happen. It’s not a free ride after all. It’s actually sort of hard. But I mean the faith’s still there that everything’ll always work out fine. It’s just a bit more of look into how hard things actually are.

Then they grow up even more. Maybe they even move out on their own. Now they realize that they can’t just trust that everything will always work out. Now they realize that they are also responsible for that happening. They are up to their elbows in making these things work. So their simple trust has been replaced by a stronger reality. Their basic faith has been transformed into a deeper understanding. That God’s not just dropping gifts in their lap day after day. God’s not just ignoring all their failings. He’s holding them accountable. He’s holding them responsible. And by that they’re realizing that they’re actually growing in their capacity for faith. They’re growing in depth. And understanding of their role in things. That it’s not a free ride. That everything counts. That everything needs work. That everything’s a lot harder than before.

Because otherwise how else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation? How else is a guy supposed to understand that some of the things he expects to get free from God take real work on his part to make sure they happen? How is he supposed to really appreciate what God does do for him? How is he supposed to recognize the times when God’s really pulled strings for him?

I mean when things were simple the child had few questions. Had little depth. And only a small purpose. But as an adult he has far more to think on. Far more to ask about. Far more to work on. Far more to answer for. And when he needs a hand he’s going to be far more aware of just what he’s asking. He’s going to be more open to suggestions and not just expect simple answers. He’s going to know it sort of is up to him to pull his weight in stuff. That God won’t let him down. But that God expects more effort at this point. More faith. More struggles. More persistence. More perseverance.

Because the reason for being here on Earth. The reason we’re all here. Is supposed to be about finding our way to God. Supposed to be about getting as good and strong as we can be. And we can’t do that without getting pushed a little once in a while. Without getting a taste for disappointment now and then.

Or something. I don’t know if that helps.

Peace pwlj.

-Trident
Click to expand...
👍👍👍 Beautifully stated, Trident
 
Trident_H said:
So I think it’s kind of like this. It’s sort of how a child starts out. Things are pretty simple from their point of view. They have no idea how food gets put on the table every day. And they have no idea where people go all day and how money’s made. So they just trust that everything’ll always work out fine. And since it usually does, their faith that they’ll always be taken care of is easy.

But then they grow up a bit and learn that they need to start taking responsibility for things too. They need to start helping with the chores. They need to give other people a hand with things. Well now they know it takes effort for this stuff to happen. It’s not a free ride after all. It’s actually sort of hard. But I mean the faith’s still there that everything’ll always work out fine. It’s just a bit more of look into how hard things actually are.

Then they grow up even more. Maybe they even move out on their own. Now they realize that they can’t just trust that everything will always work out. Now they realize that they are also responsible for that happening. They are up to their elbows in making these things work. So their simple trust has been replaced by a stronger reality. Their basic faith has been transformed into a deeper understanding. That God’s not just dropping gifts in their lap day after day. God’s not just ignoring all their failings. He’s holding them accountable. He’s holding them responsible. And by that they’re realizing that they’re actually growing in their capacity for faith. They’re growing in depth. And understanding of their role in things. That it’s not a free ride. That everything counts. That everything needs work. That everything’s a lot harder than before.

Because otherwise how else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation? How else is a guy supposed to understand that some of the things he expects to get free from God take real work on his part to make sure they happen? How is he supposed to really appreciate what God does do for him? How is he supposed to recognize the times when God’s really pulled strings for him?

I mean when things were simple the child had few questions. Had little depth. And only a small purpose. But as an adult he has far more to think on. Far more to ask about. Far more to work on. Far more to answer for. And when he needs a hand he’s going to be far more aware of just what he’s asking. He’s going to be more open to suggestions and not just expect simple answers. He’s going to know it sort of is up to him to pull his weight in stuff. That God won’t let him down. But that God expects more effort at this point. More faith. More struggles. More persistence. More perseverance.

Because the reason for being here on Earth. The reason we’re all here. Is supposed to be about finding our way to God. Supposed to be about getting as good and strong as we can be. And we can’t do that without getting pushed a little once in a while. Without getting a taste for disappointment now and then.

Or something. I don’t know if that helps.

Peace pwlj.

-Trident
Click to expand...
I was with you until you said “How else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation?” And then you lost me.
 
I think that im just going through many trials in my life right now, and I know God is by my side, but as a child Im constantly worrying or saying how can this be at the time, I think that Catholicism in general is a scary religion to some extent becase of the possibility to not be saved, sometimes i struggle at mass, to pay attnetion to try to be like everyone or to find joy in the people i see,
 
I know after my son was born, I had not been to church in 10 years and
although I believed in God I had not really made any commitments about religion I felt I was at a point I needed to get my spiritual life in order and either make a commitment or just decide to accept responsibility for myself and not get involved in a church. I was much younger, so I was doing okay at first, but then many bad things started happening and I didn’t have any foundation. 7 years ago I decided to make a commitment and convert to Catholicism. I have been struggling a lot with some of what you describe or maybe I have been experiencing spiritual warfare since I converted. I am perservering in my faith. I would say “hang in there” and continue to nurture your relationship with Jesus and Mary.
 
Look at Job. Do you think Job had trust issues with God after he lost his sons, his wife, his health, and his livelihood? Yet, God allowed these things and ultimately did not give an answer to Job as to why. He just asked Job where was he when He created everything? And Job learned something for he said that he had only heard of the Lord but now has seen him. And he said the purpose of man is to fear God and keep his commandments. After this God restores Job.

If you think of our spiritual life with God as a relationship you could see that you could have dry spells like in any relationship. And sometimes God lets us go through difficulties. What does the Bible say about that? Suffering products perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.(Rom 5)
 
Trident_H said:
So I think it’s kind of like this. It’s sort of how a child starts out. Things are pretty simple from their point of view. They have no idea how food gets put on the table every day. And they have no idea where people go all day and how money’s made. So they just trust that everything’ll always work out fine. And since it usually does, their faith that they’ll always be taken care of is easy.

But then they grow up a bit and learn that they need to start taking responsibility for things too. They need to start helping with the chores. They need to give other people a hand with things. Well now they know it takes effort for this stuff to happen. It’s not a free ride after all. It’s actually sort of hard. But I mean the faith’s still there that everything’ll always work out fine. It’s just a bit more of look into how hard things actually are.

Then they grow up even more. Maybe they even move out on their own. Now they realize that they can’t just trust that everything will always work out. Now they realize that they are also responsible for that happening. They are up to their elbows in making these things work. So their simple trust has been replaced by a stronger reality. Their basic faith has been transformed into a deeper understanding. That God’s not just dropping gifts in their lap day after day. God’s not just ignoring all their failings. He’s holding them accountable. He’s holding them responsible. And by that they’re realizing that they’re actually growing in their capacity for faith. They’re growing in depth. And understanding of their role in things. That it’s not a free ride. That everything counts. That everything needs work. That everything’s a lot harder than before.

Because otherwise how else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation? How else is a guy supposed to understand that some of the things he expects to get free from God take real work on his part to make sure they happen? How is he supposed to really appreciate what God does do for him? How is he supposed to recognize the times when God’s really pulled strings for him?

I mean when things were simple the child had few questions. Had little depth. And only a small purpose. But as an adult he has far more to think on. Far more to ask about. Far more to work on. Far more to answer for. And when he needs a hand he’s going to be far more aware of just what he’s asking. He’s going to be more open to suggestions and not just expect simple answers. He’s going to know it sort of is up to him to pull his weight in stuff. That God won’t let him down. But that God expects more effort at this point. More faith. More struggles. More persistence. More perseverance.

Because the reason for being here on Earth. The reason we’re all here. Is supposed to be about finding our way to God. Supposed to be about getting as good and strong as we can be. And we can’t do that without getting pushed a little once in a while. Without getting a taste for disappointment now and then.

Or something. I don’t know if that helps.

Peace pwlj.

-Trident
Click to expand...
A good analogy. 👍
 
pwlj_christ87 said:
i hate to say it but before i became practicing i could easily say things like, oh well its in gods hands, etc, or let god handle, etc. now that i am practicing, i see my prayers being answered and i know so to speak he will come through but i cant say i trust him as much, which is a big shame, its like im waiting for him to suprirse me over and over, thoughts?
Click to expand...
I have the same problem trusting God too.

Frankly it’s quite scary. The hardest part for me to say in the Lord’s Prayer is the part about giving the daily bread. It’s like I expect God to not do it or to renege on it. This is what my emotions tell me.

Fortunately, trusting God is not about emotions but about decision. So I decide to trust God in spite of what my emotions tell me but at times the battle is so great, I feel like I am being torn in two.

When I experience this, what helps me is meditating on the Lord’s agony in the garden and then realizing He has experienced worst. Begging the Father to spare Him from death and torture but in the end acquiescing to the Father’s will.
 
fisherman_carl said:
Look at Job. Do you think Job had trust issues with God after he lost his sons, his wife, his health, and his livelihood? Yet, God allowed these things and ultimately did not give an answer to Job as to why. He just asked Job where was he when He created everything? And Job learned something for he said that he had only heard of the Lord but now has seen him. And he said the purpose of man is to fear God and keep his commandments. After this God restores Job.

If you think of our spiritual life with God as a relationship you could see that you could have dry spells like in any relationship. And sometimes God lets us go through difficulties. What does the Bible say about that? Suffering products perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.(Rom 5)
Click to expand...
I remember a sermon at mass last year about forest fires. There was a time in forest management when forest fires were all prevented. It occurred to the forest rangers that there were no young redwood trees. Why weren’t the redwood seeds sprouting?

The answer was that the redwood seed would only sprout after the event of a forest fire.

There are some spiritual fruits that can be obtained only in the presence of fire of trials and hardship.
 
fisherman_carl said:
I was with you until you said “How else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation?” And then you lost me.
Click to expand...
I don’t think Trident meant it in the old-fashioned theological debate sense. I think he means “show works as fruits”.

Pwlj, you have put your finger on a poignant thing I call the “ouch” factor. Life as we mature (whether we changed churches or not) gets more full of that.

We’ve got nothing left to stammer out but “Lord, forgive my unbelief”.
 
fisherman_carl said:
I was with you until you said “How else is a guy supposed to earn his salvation?” And then you lost me.
Click to expand...
Vic_Taltrees_UK said:
I don’t think Trident meant it in the old-fashioned theological debate sense. I think he means “show works as fruits”.
Click to expand...
Thanks Vic for clearing that up for me. I’m still not really sure what carl thought I meant. I mean I’m not really a deep philosophy type. So I didn’t know there were other things that might come out of that. I was really just trying to say that a guy doesn’t want to go through life expecting everything’s a given. I mean some people can still make it to home base just by bunting. Some people can probably even steal in at the last second. But working hard to learn how to hit that home-run is a lot safer bet.

I hope that cleared that up Carl. I mean I’m not sure I know how else to say it. Maybe I should have just left it with what Vic said. He said it in 4 words. Instead now everyone’s got an extra paragraph to read. :rolleyes:

Peace guys.

-Trident
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top