V
Vico
Guest
Supernatural grace is the greatest proof on a daily basis, since cooperating with it, a person can remain free from mortal sin.
- Status
W
Walterross
Guest
Trust me, I want to believe. I really do. To find purpose in this life, yet God seems so silent that it seems like he doesn’t care. Either that or he’s not even there
W
Walterross
Guest
What I meant is that I don’t know if I am correct in giving God credit in that situation. What if it was just great doctors and no God at all? I hope that clarifies a bit.
W
Walterross
Guest
I don’t think I truly understand. Could you explain this concept a bit more?
C
cmscms
Guest
Well, first off God gives people strenght to do good things. So if a doctor cures you mom, yes, the doctor did the work, but how come you were ended up with a good doctor? Perhaps God sent you that doctor. Just curious, but had your mom died of cancer, would you be saying ‘it is becausde the doctor did something bad’? Or would you be saying ‘Why did God let my mom dye’? If you won’t credit God with the good, you can’t really blame Him for the bad
Also, exacctly what are you praying for that he doesn’t answer? When I was younger, instead of studying, I would pray for an A+ on my test. And then think God wasn’t helping me. As I became more mature, I would prayer before studying "God, please help me understand the course material’
Have you ever asked God what your purpose is? To be honest, you sound quite depressed asking what your purpose is.
However, I as well find all the stories in the bible of God healing the sick discouraging. It does make me wonder what the point is. In my life, it seems like more often than not, God does not miraculously heal them. Perhaps this isn’t the most Catholic thing to say, but… the particular answer you need is probably not going to be clearly found in the bible. (by the way, no where in the bible does it say we can’t use other sources)
Also, exacctly what are you praying for that he doesn’t answer? When I was younger, instead of studying, I would pray for an A+ on my test. And then think God wasn’t helping me. As I became more mature, I would prayer before studying "God, please help me understand the course material’
Have you ever asked God what your purpose is? To be honest, you sound quite depressed asking what your purpose is.
However, I as well find all the stories in the bible of God healing the sick discouraging. It does make me wonder what the point is. In my life, it seems like more often than not, God does not miraculously heal them. Perhaps this isn’t the most Catholic thing to say, but… the particular answer you need is probably not going to be clearly found in the bible. (by the way, no where in the bible does it say we can’t use other sources)
H
Here-I-am-Lord
Guest
But then how can you also say this?
Tell me that you are for real!
W
Walterross
Guest
I understand where you’re coming from. It just seems like God does not answer my prayers to rid me of my mental illnesses. I’m making strides to get better on my own, which are super painful and I don’t feel like I’m getting any assistance. To go back to the doctor situation. I haven’t thought about that specific situation, but I’m just thinking of it from the point of view of there being no God. I hope that God would heal my mother, and although she was healed, there are many others who are not. Why doesn’t God answer these? And yes, I’ve tried to read the bible to become “closer to God” but ultimately when I finish, I feel like I’ve heard a story of very unlikely things and also like I’m reading a rulebook. I just wish God was more easily accessible to people today. If he was just even a bit more obvious, I’m sure many more would believe in him thus=they are saved.
W
Walterross
Guest
This is what I’m used to doing. Giving God all the credit in the world. It is just recently that I’m feeling like maybe I was responsible for progress I made and I alone. I’m conflicted because I’m used to giving God all the credit, but what if He’s not really doing anything? Why should he be credited? Does he exist? That’s my thought process
S
Servant31
Guest
Hey Walter glad to see you again. Have you ever taken a look at near death experiencers? You have to be a bit careful who you believe here but I’ve found a few to be very helpful for my faith life. One in particular I personally believe is credible (there are others if you need links). He basically had every reason not you o believe. He died and found himself being dragged into hell, and decided, “what do I have to lose.” So he prayed to Jesus. Jesus showed up and saved him. After returning to earth he wrote a book, became a pastor, and has spent many years speaking about God, Jesus, and heaven. I personally found his witness quite compelling and it helped me greatly to put a face on faith.
near-death.com
He has a ton of inviews out there, I picked a few I liked.
Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife
Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife discusses about Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!
near-death.com
He has a ton of inviews out there, I picked a few I liked.
W
Walterross
Guest
I will check these out for sure. I’m usually hesitant to believe these, as anyone can lie, but I will watch them all. Thank you!!
S
Servant31
Guest
See what God allowed me to do. See how MASSIVE those links are! Lol how did those get so big and not just post the link…?
S
Servant31
Guest
Yeah for sure… One of the reasons I like him is that he has lived his witness for almost forty years… if you “know them by their fruits” he is bringing it… the last one is my fave but it’s a little hard to follow as it’s missing half the talk.
Last edited:
H
Here-I-am-Lord
Guest
This is precisely what puzzles me. People usually give credit to God for making one strong and able to cope with difficulties. I thank God for making it possible for me to stand my course. It is a collaboration and not an either/ or kind of thing: it is not like either I am the champion or God is the champion! Because it is God who gives me faculties to become a champion at the first place and make fame to do His will even more.
You show God the gold medal you earned with laborious hard work telling Him, you see it is beyond my own effort. I would not have been able to do this without you. I would have failed if you are not there. You gave me the victory. I am champion because you are. You are the champion of the whole universe! Glory be to God forever!
Last edited:
C
cmscms
Guest
Well… one possibility is God feels it is best to help you learn to live and be at peace with your illness. Just because you have an illness does not meant you have to suffer. There are coping mechanisms.
As for why God does not heal others. From my perspective, healing is NOTalways a good thing. If someone dies of cancer in a state of grace, they get to go to heaven and that can be a lot better than continuing to live, being led to mortal sin and going to hell. So… I see good in death
And I agree reading the bible can appear to be reading about unlikely things which is why I suggested perhaps another source. Truth be told, the bible has a lot of meanings that are not obvious by reading it. The best would be to go to a bible study with a knowledgeable teacher who can teach what it means. Even the simplest of statements can have a meaning that is not apparent.
As for why God does not heal others. From my perspective, healing is NOTalways a good thing. If someone dies of cancer in a state of grace, they get to go to heaven and that can be a lot better than continuing to live, being led to mortal sin and going to hell. So… I see good in death
And I agree reading the bible can appear to be reading about unlikely things which is why I suggested perhaps another source. Truth be told, the bible has a lot of meanings that are not obvious by reading it. The best would be to go to a bible study with a knowledgeable teacher who can teach what it means. Even the simplest of statements can have a meaning that is not apparent.
C
cmscms
Guest
Perhaps the reason you are feeling like YOU are responsible for the progress you made is God wants you to see YOU are capable of good? Maybe it is God’s way of saying ‘I knew you could do it because you are strong’
Honeslty, when someone tells me how good I am at something, I try to be polite and say thank-you, but if I am in a safe place I will say ‘Yes I am blessed. It is one of the abilities God gave me’
Honeslty, when someone tells me how good I am at something, I try to be polite and say thank-you, but if I am in a safe place I will say ‘Yes I am blessed. It is one of the abilities God gave me’
N
njlisa
Guest
At age 58, I have been through a lot of ups and downs in my life. In my late teens, one of my aunts fell desperately ill. I prayed and prayed. And she died. And so, I became an atheist for about five or six years. Eventually, I decided to find God again (although He had never left me). I had been raised Protestant. But through a lot of soul-searching, I entered RCIA at age 28. I was received into the church at age 29.
My faith journey has never been easy. I have stomped away from the church, but I always come back. God has a lot of patience with me.
I went through decades of crushing depression and anxiety. Finally, I am on a new drug that has changed my life. I am now physically disabled. By some miracle, I have never blamed God for my situation. Whenever I think of my suffering, I think of Our Lord dying the worst possible death. Every pain we have felt, he has felt. Every loss we’ve had, he’s had. All I can do is give up my suffering to God.
In 1995, I came to believe in God with a depth I can’t explain. I nearly died in a canoeing accident on the Delaware River. I was pinned to a log, and I somehow I hung on. Two men showed up from out of nowhere on an uninhabited island. One of them spoke to me and said: “Everything will be all right.” And he pulled me out quite easily.
I later learned that partially submerged logs (called strainers) are deadly to swimmers or canoeists. Soon after my experience, one unfortunate woman who was sucked down under a log. Two strong men, both avid outdoorsmen, struggled for 30 minutes to pull her out. They failed and she drowned. May God rest her soul.
I was also very drawn to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I have seen the tilma and there are images that scientists cannot explain. I’ve read stories about the miracles. You might be interested.
My life is challenging, but I keep plugging ahead. I know it’s hard. But keep trying. God bless you in this difficult.
My faith journey has never been easy. I have stomped away from the church, but I always come back. God has a lot of patience with me.
I went through decades of crushing depression and anxiety. Finally, I am on a new drug that has changed my life. I am now physically disabled. By some miracle, I have never blamed God for my situation. Whenever I think of my suffering, I think of Our Lord dying the worst possible death. Every pain we have felt, he has felt. Every loss we’ve had, he’s had. All I can do is give up my suffering to God.
In 1995, I came to believe in God with a depth I can’t explain. I nearly died in a canoeing accident on the Delaware River. I was pinned to a log, and I somehow I hung on. Two men showed up from out of nowhere on an uninhabited island. One of them spoke to me and said: “Everything will be all right.” And he pulled me out quite easily.
I later learned that partially submerged logs (called strainers) are deadly to swimmers or canoeists. Soon after my experience, one unfortunate woman who was sucked down under a log. Two strong men, both avid outdoorsmen, struggled for 30 minutes to pull her out. They failed and she drowned. May God rest her soul.
I was also very drawn to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I have seen the tilma and there are images that scientists cannot explain. I’ve read stories about the miracles. You might be interested.
My life is challenging, but I keep plugging ahead. I know it’s hard. But keep trying. God bless you in this difficult.
V
Viki63
Guest
I’m sorry you are going through a crisis of faith. I’m sure we’ve all gone through that one way or another.
I hear about miracles all the time: recently a priest told me about laying hands on a poor Guatemalan woman and praying for her, and she began coughing up a lot of gunk – turns out she was cured of cancer according to her doctors. Of course we don’t need to believe this, but it’s hard to doubt so many histories – Mother Angelica had some experiences with angels, as did Padre Pio. Muslims are having visions of Christ and his mother, and converting.
Sometimes I doubt. But I follow Puddleglum’s plan – from The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. He said he chose to follow Aslan and live as much like a Narnia as he could, even if there wasn’t any Narnia (meaning heaven) because it beat by far the dark and gloomy world of the atheists.
We exist, and we did not create ourselves. We cannot be a product of a mindless universe, for many obvious reasons, so it appears we were created by a Creator. And he made himself known in Jesus.
Try reading the New Testament instead of the Old. Jesus speaks plainly in it, and it’s hard not to be convinced that He is the truth.
I hear about miracles all the time: recently a priest told me about laying hands on a poor Guatemalan woman and praying for her, and she began coughing up a lot of gunk – turns out she was cured of cancer according to her doctors. Of course we don’t need to believe this, but it’s hard to doubt so many histories – Mother Angelica had some experiences with angels, as did Padre Pio. Muslims are having visions of Christ and his mother, and converting.
Sometimes I doubt. But I follow Puddleglum’s plan – from The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. He said he chose to follow Aslan and live as much like a Narnia as he could, even if there wasn’t any Narnia (meaning heaven) because it beat by far the dark and gloomy world of the atheists.
We exist, and we did not create ourselves. We cannot be a product of a mindless universe, for many obvious reasons, so it appears we were created by a Creator. And he made himself known in Jesus.
Try reading the New Testament instead of the Old. Jesus speaks plainly in it, and it’s hard not to be convinced that He is the truth.
H
HiImBrittom
Guest
Jesus is God.
V
Vico
Guest
The apostles thought, after hearing the teaching of Jesus, that salvation would be impossible, for anyone, wealthy or not. But Jesus answers that with God it is possible, of course what God gives that makes it possible is supernatural grace. Since we are given free will by God, we can use it to cooperate with the given grace.Vico:
I don’t think I truly understand. Could you explain this concept a bit more?
Matthew 25
Last edited:
G
goout
Guest
Why should you believe in God?
Because at the end of the day, where else are you gonna go? What will you do when you die? Where did you come from? Why were you born? What is the purpose and meaning of your life?
What will last after you die? Will you take your stuff with you?
Sometimes the intellect fails, and all the trappings of life fail, and love is all that is left. I’ve never seen a person on their deathbed worry about how much stuff they have.
What we are concerned with ultimately is “how did I love, and am I loved?” Everything else is rubbish. And God is love. The love that brought you into existence. The love that will still be after your body fails. The love that calls you to go out today and serve someone else.
I am besieged by skepticism myself, and when religion just does not make sense, I am reminded that Christ embraced my sins and all of their ugliness. Christ transformed my life. And He is what I cling to, not my power to understand.
A good suggestion for you might be to visit a nursing home, and just spend time with people who have little time for understanding theology, but have their priorities in order.
Because at the end of the day, where else are you gonna go? What will you do when you die? Where did you come from? Why were you born? What is the purpose and meaning of your life?
What will last after you die? Will you take your stuff with you?
Sometimes the intellect fails, and all the trappings of life fail, and love is all that is left. I’ve never seen a person on their deathbed worry about how much stuff they have.
What we are concerned with ultimately is “how did I love, and am I loved?” Everything else is rubbish. And God is love. The love that brought you into existence. The love that will still be after your body fails. The love that calls you to go out today and serve someone else.
I am besieged by skepticism myself, and when religion just does not make sense, I am reminded that Christ embraced my sins and all of their ugliness. Christ transformed my life. And He is what I cling to, not my power to understand.
A good suggestion for you might be to visit a nursing home, and just spend time with people who have little time for understanding theology, but have their priorities in order.
Last edited:
- Status