Is it reasonable to wager with God?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Calliope
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Calliope

Guest
Is it ever reasonable to “wager” with God?

I was raised Catholic and have been lapsed for a number of years.

I’ve been having a very hard time the past year dealing with the challenges of life.

I recently said “God, if you exist, and if it matters to you that I am a Catholic, send me a sign and I will return to the Catholic church, even if that just means going through the motions, for at least one year, to see if/how that changes my life”.

I have heard of other people doing this sort of thing, but I really don’t know if it is considered proper. But I thought I’d give God a chance, but so far, no sign. I’m kind of disappointed, I was hoping that He’d respond, because I’m about out of options.

Calliope
 
Don’t forget who is the master and who is the servant.
 
Calliope said:
Is it ever reasonable to “wager” with God?

I was raised Catholic and have been lapsed for a number of years.

I’ve been having a very hard time the past year dealing with the challenges of life.

I recently said “God, if you exist, and if it matters to you that I am a Catholic, send me a sign and I will return to the Catholic church, even if that just means going through the motions, for at least one year, to see if/how that changes my life”.

I have heard of other people doing this sort of thing, but I really don’t know if it is considered proper. But I thought I’d give God a chance, but so far, no sign. I’m kind of disappointed, I was hoping that He’d respond, because I’m about out of options.

Calliope
Click to expand...
Try Mass and more prayer for that year, see what happens.
 
If you want to be in the Church, then just get in - there is nothing to stop you. 🙂

By the way, God told me to give you this:

[SIGN]Get back in the Church, Calliope!
  • love from God.[/SIGN]
 
JMO.

I think you should obey the Lord whether He gives you a sign or not.

Read Daniel 3. When Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-nego were about to be thrown into the fiery furnace, they said, “Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us. But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image.” (boldface mine)

John 14: 21 says “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me, and he who love Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose myself to him.” (boldface mine)

Hebrews 10:25 says that we are not to forsake assembling ourselves together. And one of the Ten Commandments says to keep the Sabbath holy.

Return to the Church and go through the motions for a year. Trust God to keep His promise and “disclose Himself to you.” And if He doesn’t disclose Himself, trust Him anyway.

What are your other options? Continue to live the way you are living? It doesn’t sound like you are very happy with this.

Keep searching for God, perhaps among the other world religions or among the Protestant sects? Remember that Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” No other Person has ever made this claim.

Just do what is right. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” (That’s from a very old Protestant song that I learned when I was a kid.)

Again, JMO, and I wish I could be more uplifting and encouraging to you. I’m sorry you are going through a hard time and I hope that God will send someone to help you through it. I think it’s reasonable of you to beg God to send you someone to lift you up out of the Slough of Despond that you are in.
 
Calliope said:
Is it ever reasonable to “wager” with God?

I was raised Catholic and have been lapsed for a number of years.

I’ve been having a very hard time the past year dealing with the challenges of life.

I recently said “God, if you exist, and if it matters to you that I am a Catholic, send me a sign and I will return to the Catholic church, even if that just means going through the motions, for at least one year, to see if/how that changes my life”.

I have heard of other people doing this sort of thing, but I really don’t know if it is considered proper. But I thought I’d give God a chance, but so far, no sign. I’m kind of disappointed, I was hoping that He’d respond, because I’m about out of options.

Calliope
Click to expand...
So go through the motions — go to confession, go to Mass, receive the Eucharist, and after a year of going through the motions you’ll know if you are where God wants you, and that will be your sign.
 
Rocky said:
So go through the motions — go to confession, go to Mass, receive the Eucharist, and after a year of going through the motions you’ll know if you are where God wants you, and that will be your sign.
Click to expand...
+1.

Faith doesn’t always start with a magical light-bulb going on over your head. More often than not, faith starts with a decision of the will to accept and obey.

DaveBj
 
I’m very pleased to hear that y ou are gifing “God a try” but you shouldn’t wadger with him ( a sin I am also guilyt of). Just pray and ask God to help you in your search for him.
 
Calliope said:
Is it ever reasonable to “wager” with God?

I was raised Catholic and have been lapsed for a number of years.

I’ve been having a very hard time the past year dealing with the challenges of life.

I recently said “God, if you exist, and if it matters to you that I am a Catholic, send me a sign and I will return to the Catholic church, even if that just means going through the motions, for at least one year, to see if/how that changes my life”.

I have heard of other people doing this sort of thing, but I really don’t know if it is considered proper. But I thought I’d give God a chance, but so far, no sign. I’m kind of disappointed, I was hoping that He’d respond, because I’m about out of options.

Calliope
Click to expand...
I was lapsed for many years and I had to open the door and step in. He was waiting for me all the time and He is waiting for you.
God opened many doors after that so give it a try!
 
Calliope said:
Is it ever reasonable to “wager” with God?

I was raised Catholic and have been lapsed for a number of years.

I’ve been having a very hard time the past year dealing with the challenges of life.

I recently said “God, if you exist, and if it matters to you that I am a Catholic, send me a sign and I will return to the Catholic church, even if that just means going through the motions, for at least one year, to see if/how that changes my life”.

I have heard of other people doing this sort of thing, but I really don’t know if it is considered proper. But I thought I’d give God a chance, but so far, no sign. I’m kind of disappointed, I was hoping that He’d respond, because I’m about out of options.

Calliope
Click to expand...
I think it’s a given that God would like for you to return to the Church.🙂 But, I have asked for signs…of which way He might want me to go with a decision. Career choices, etc. Typically, when you feel an overwhelming sense of calm and peace about a decision–typically, that is a sign from God. Even if what God has called one to do seems taxing–there can still be joy and peace in resolving to do His holy will.

The fact that you are conversing with God makes Him very happy–I’m sure. Jesus warned people about signs in the Bible, but I think they were doubting Thomases, you know what I mean? It’s one thing to doubt God and you need Him to prove Himself to you.…and another to trust in His will, and just wish for a sign to enlighten you further. The best piece of wisdom I have heard to date…regarding following God’s will, etc…is that the main thing God wants for us is to get us to Heaven. That everything we do, should revolve around and align ourselves with–the mission of becoming holy. This takes different forms for everyone. Some are called to be married, and are to bear great crosses–some are to be priests, and have to bear crosses there. But, each day…we are given a new chance to be holy. To live holy. In living out that holiness, God will take care of our secular needs…we need not worry. If we focus on becoming holy…and making that our mission…we are doing God’s will. That’s the beauty and mystery of God’s love…

God doesn’t need us but instead He wants us to discover Him, and discover His love…we can only do that if we* invite *Him in. God bless you on your journey…

Plz keep posting. [If you feel discouraged, we are here to listen and hopefully help you.]
 
Rocky said:
So go through the motions — go to confession, go to Mass, receive the Eucharist, and after a year of going through the motions you’ll know if you are where God wants you, and that will be your sign.
Click to expand...
As right as you are about the rest of what the OP should do if he or she really wants to give Catholicism a second chance, I’m not sure receiving the Eucharist should be on the list, as it’s not an introductory sacrament.

Calliope, you’re not going to lose anything except an hour every Sunday and occasional time spent reading theology and philosophy (which is hardly a waste in the first place), but it may or may not end up in a ‘sign’. If you want to get religion again and try that as your ‘test’, may you have better luck than I did.
 
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Don’t mess with God in that manner IMHO. Don’t forget that he is GOD after all. If you have that desire to know “if” God is out there and you are willing to go to the Catholic Church to find him. Then he already proved his point, that is his way of telling you that you should look for him. He answered when you decided to ask!
 
Thank you for all the responses.

I do know there is something out there. Whether or not the God of te Catholic church exists is what I am working on now. That is what I was asking God…if you are the God they follow, and you operate the way they say you do in people’s lives (based on what I read here), then please operate in my life so I’ll know if there is any point in returning to Catholicism. I won’t expect anything further, unless, until, I practice the faith properly as taught be her teachings.

That was kind of how it went. I did this about three weeks ago.

And I don’t think that it is really a good idea to “test” God, but I have been reading here, and talking to other believers and they often get results when they put out an honest,heartfelt need.

I also, after reading a thread on prayers to Mary, found a Marian prayer site and saw the types of prayers faithful Catholics leave there and what they ask for, and what they thank her for, so what I was doing didn’t seem outside of the realm of Catholic practice, and unreasonable.

I guess it is sort of self centered to hope or think that I might get a personal sign. But at the time I made the wager, well, lets just say I was not at my best.
 
I think that the biggest sign that you will get from God that answers your question is the Eucharist. Jesus said so Himself. Open your Bible and read John:6.

And, you won’t see this sign, if you are not in church and not practicing your faith! So go for it!
 
Hi
You usually need faith for God to hear your prayers. Real faith expresses itself in good works that are pleasing to God. Try asking God for faith. A prayer from the good book is - Lord
I believe, help my unbelief. Ot make up your own. When I was new and returning to the church I went to a priest of Opus Dei for spiritual direction. That was about 1989. I’m still seeing the same priest. He used to tell me to pray for all sorts of little things and go into great detail. Simple little things. I did this and before long I realised my prayers were being answered. It really increased my faith. But don’t pray for big things like conversions, world peace etc at this stage. Little things.
I would strongly recommend the book - the faith explained by Leo Trese too. It’s easy to find.
Also, all religions worship the one true God. They just don’t all know it . There is only one God. What you need is to read up info on catholic arguments for the catholic claim to be the one true church. Not hard to find. I’m gonna include you in my prayers.
And remember if your unsure about the church then why not join in anyway. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. And you will gain big time if the catholics are right.
 
Calliope said:
I guess it is sort of self centered to hope or think that I might get a personal sign. But at the time I made the wager, well, lets just say I was not at my best.
Click to expand...
Trust me everyone wants (some ask I would wager) for that Saul at Tarsus getting-knocked-off-a-horse kind of experience! I think a feeling or gravitation to the church in someone who has been absent for a while is just as big of a sign. They are all around us you just have to know where to look:)
 
JesuitLoyola said:
Trust me everyone wants (some ask I would wager) for that Saul at Tarsus getting-knocked-off-a-horse kind of experience! I think a feeling or gravitation to the church in someone who has been absent for a while is just as big of a sign. They are all around us you just have to know where to look:)
Click to expand...
Though I’m thankful my life has been changed, being knocked off your horse with a God experience isn’t a fix all. Look how much Paul had to do and all he went through.

The Acts of the Apostles 9:15 And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

I don’t think He would give you much more then you can handle, but may bring you out of your comfort zone. Start with what He has already given you and as scripture says, more will be given. Tim
 
Calliope said:
Thank you for all the responses.

I do know there is something out there. Whether or not the God of te Catholic church exists is what I am working on now. That is what I was asking God…if you are the God they follow, and you operate the way they say you do in people’s lives (based on what I read here), then please operate in my life so I’ll know if there is any point in returning to Catholicism. I won’t expect anything further, unless, until, I practice the faith properly as taught be her teachings.

That was kind of how it went. I did this about three weeks ago.

And I don’t think that it is really a good idea to “test” God, but I have been reading here, and talking to other believers and they often get results when they put out an honest,heartfelt need.

I also, after reading a thread on prayers to Mary, found a Marian prayer site and saw the types of prayers faithful Catholics leave there and what they ask for, and what they thank her for, so what I was doing didn’t seem outside of the realm of Catholic practice, and unreasonable.

I guess it is sort of self centered to hope or think that I might get a personal sign. But at the time I made the wager, well, lets just say I was not at my best.
Click to expand...
So, did you go to Mass? Confession? You just walk in the door and say:

OK, God. You win. From now on it’s Your way, even if I’m not sure what that is. But the Catholic way is the clearest way I know to come to you, so: Here I am, Lord. “I believe; help my unbelief.”

Y’know what Woody Allen said – 70% of success is just showing up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top