My complaints to God

[PelagiathePenit]

There is always more to change, correct and improve. Part of following God means accepting suffering without complaint. There are too many rules, too many ways to fall short. Part of me, is like why bother? I will never be perfect. Yet you must hold yourself to the highest standard. It does not make you a better or worse person for following God. If you think you are better person for following God, you failed again. To be happy you must follow God’s will, if not, you are living in rebellion. Where is free will? There is never any excuse for a transgression. No matter how mean someone is to you, NO EXCUSE TO BE MEAN BACK. Even thinking of revenge is a sin. With all these rules, I could be living my life way worse. No matter how good you are. You can always more humble, less sinful. You We are impossibly imperfect, so we will sin inevitably. It just sometimes seems pointless, hopeless, stupid and boring. As christians we should model Christ to others. Another responsibility.

 

[JamalChristophr]

No one ever said it is an easy road to follow Christ.

There is a reward at the end, though. Would you rather carry the cross of Christ or the cross of Satan? Everyone has crosses to carry in this life. Everyone.

 

[Dorothy]

Our crosses is how our Lord sanctifies us. And He has given us the remedy, Himself!

In Christian community at our parishes we are encouraged. There are so many treasures in the Church that can help us.

He loves us right where we are, and invites us to follow Him.

Our Blessed Mother is His great gift to us. Take her hand and ask her to help you follow her Son.

 

[Emily2014]

There is so much happiness and joy to find through loving Jesus. He wants us to be happy and to enjoy our lives, asking only that we love Him and love one another.
God grant you peace and happiness

 

[littlestsouls2]

God asks much of us because of His great love for us. He knows that we have nothing to give Him, other than what we receive from His infinite liberality.

But our absolute impotence should not be a reason for discourgement. Our weakness actually entitles us to God’s mercy, which He delights in showing. Even the prayer, “I trust in Thee,” ravishes the Sacred Heart (as Our Lord has revealed to various individuals). St. Francis de Sales said: “I am accustomed to say that our misery is the throne of God’s mercy.” A similar message can be found in the revelations of Ven. Mary of Agreda, who heard Our Lord addressing the Eternal Father as follows: “If their sins call out for thy justice, their neediness and misery appeal to thy infinite mercy.” “I must needs consume the miseries of My poor, weak creatures,” said Jesus to Servant of God, Sr. Benigna Consolata, “and I never tire of cleansing souls again and again, because I cleanse them in My most Precious Blood.”

Peace to men of good-will. There is no reason to be upset if we are generously trying to do God’s will, for as St. Bernard says, “the constant will to advance and the steady pursuit of perfection are accounted perfection.”

“To those who begin to wear My yoke, and who are making efforts, I will give My grace. With those who bear My burden – that is to say who try day by day for love of Me to advance in the way of perfection – I will work, I will be their strength, I will inflame them with love so that they may desire Me still more.” (Jesus to St. Bridget of Sweden)

“We must not be upset by our imperfections; instead, we must recognize them and learn to combat them. And it is in fighting against our imperfections without being discouraged by them that our very perfection consists.” (St. Francis de Sales)

I hope and pray that you will come to know and rely on the infinite love of God. Please pray for me also.

God bless.

 

[Tigg]

**It does not make you a better or worse person for following God. If you think you are better person for following God, you failed again. **To be happy you must follow God’s will, if not, you are living in rebellion. Where is free will? There is never any excuse for a transgression. No matter how mean someone is to you, NO EXCUSE TO BE MEAN BACK. Even thinking of revenge is a sin. With all these rules, I could be living my life way worse. No matter how good you are. You can always more humble, less sinful. You We are impossibly imperfect, so we will sin inevitably. It just sometimes seems pointless, hopeless, stupid and boring. As christians we should model Christ to others. Another responsibility.

I’m trying to follow your thought here. A couple of points: We should never try to judge our own development or the plane we are on in the spiritual life; rather it is the continual effort and fidelity we must concentrate on. Persistence in trying to do good and avoid evil is the key, no matter how many times we fail. I could use many adjectives to describe the spiritual struggle, but stupid and boring would not be among them.

 

[Jack007]

read signatures of posters on this thread, sblol

 

[Kount_C]

No one ever said it is an easy road to follow Christ.

There is a reward at the end, though. Would you rather carry the cross of Christ or the cross of Satan? Everyone has crosses to carry in this life. Everyone.

It is easier for some more so then others. I fell the same frustration as the OP.
But that is life.

 

[Sy_Noe]

There is so much happiness and joy to find through loving Jesus. He wants us to be happy and to enjoy our lives, asking only that we love Him and love one another.
God grant you peace and happiness

I agree with this but the OP mentioned many rules and asked where is free will. Do Catholics believe those who don’t follow everything the CC teaches or who have left the faith for another and are happier, are loving God in the fullest sense? It just seems different folks define differently what it means to love God.

 

[mommy_k]

I would suggest reading the Interior Castle, by St Teresa Avila.

This writing explains the steps to spiritual maturity, and the temptations and pitfalls one experiences along the way.

In order to reach the next level of maturity, we succeed by not letting externals influence our relationship with God.

 

[Dorothy]

Why must you be perfect? No one’s perfect. You are judging yourself too harshly, methinks.
Even God has made questionable decisions. Even Jesus complained out loud in anger and frustration, turning over tables and cursing the fig tree.
If “following the rules” to make yourself a better person is making you feel bad about yourself…that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?

.

God never makes questionable decisions. It may seem that way to us because we are His finite creatures and He is Infinitely perfect, and His perfect Love desires our salvation.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Well…I’d say killing all the innocent firstborn baby boys in Egypt and flooding everyone to death except Noah, et al, was rather…extreme. Too much, so.
I’d surely question those decisions, among others.
Perhaps he did, too.
A thousand or two years later, seems God himself transitioned from the “eye for an eye” thinking to a “turn the other cheek” outlook…and indeed, re-thought some rules and changed some of them for the better.
And that was good.

.

I don’t know if this applies to rules at all, but I know Jesus did say he was bringing an easy yoke and light burden.

 

[Dorothy]

Well…I’d say killing all the innocent firstborn baby boys in Egypt and flooding everyone to death except Noah, et al, was rather…extreme. Too much, so.
I’d surely question those decisions, among others.
Perhaps he did, too.
A thousand or two years later, seems God himself transitioned from the “eye for an eye” thinking to a “turn the other cheek” outlook…and indeed, re-thought some rules and changed some of them for the better.
And that was good.

.

All the innocents are in the arms of the Lord, if they were living a righteous life. In order to begin to form His people, from whence the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity was to come, pagan nations were wiped out.

Some of those reasons being temple prostitution, and burning babies in the fire. The prophets of Israel also spoke out about not inter-marrying with the pagans. When the Israelites did so, a high price was paid.

God is perfect justice: whoever of the pagans were living an innocent life are in the arms of God.

 

[PelagiathePenit]

I agree with this but the OP mentioned many rules and asked where is free will. Do Catholics believe those who don’t follow everything the CC teaches or who have left the faith for another and are happier, are loving God in the fullest sense? It just seems different folks define differently what it means to love God.

I just do not understand the whole concept of suffering and spiritual maturity. THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR SIN. Yet God is angry with one transgression. You must always repent. People can be so mean sometimes.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Suffering is a mystery ever ancient ever new, deeper than the deepest of ocean trenches, it’s bound up in the mystery of Christ’s redemption as we share in that Cross ourselves, some more, some less. We mortals will never be able to understand it except as a faint glimmer of illumination until we find ourselves on the other side, but I trust and intuit that there certainly is method and purpose to it.

 

[Sy_Noe]

I just do not understand the whole concept of suffering and spiritual maturity. THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR SIN. Yet God is angry with one transgression. You must always repent. People can be so mean sometimes.

I’m not sure I’m following what you are complaining about? Are you complaining about all the suffering in the world? In regards to that I find it helpful to think of it as a reminder to us that earth isn’t heaven.

Or are you complaining about people being mean to others when others sin, telling others how angry God is with them, causing suffering and anquish? In regards to that I find it helpful not to put too much concern in how other human beings judge me. Only God knows our hearts.
.
If you’re complaining about something else that I’m not understanding, forgive me. Peace be with you.

 

[Sy_Noe]

I just do not understand the whole concept of suffering and spiritual maturity. THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR SIN. Yet God is angry with one transgression. You must always repent. People can be so mean sometimes.

Ok from the other thread you started I’m now thinking what you are complaining about is the suffering you experience over sin, and you believe God is angry with you, and people can also be mean about it towards you and add to your bad feelings about yourself.

If I now understand more correctly, I personally would only suggest you spiritually mature by emphasizing sin and guilt less and God’s love for you more. God may not be as angry with you as you fear. He loves you and He certainly is capable of understanding our human nature and limitations. And keep in mind only God knows your heart. Not mean people. He who is without sin cast the first stone. I understand being a mindful of sin and repentant. I’m not saying not to be. But remember God loves you. And once we repent a sin, we need to then accept God’s grace. There is no limit to His mercy and love and how many times we can be forgiven. He suffered on the cross for us. And God wants you happy and at peace. Peace be with you.

 

[Emily2014]

If I now understand more correctly, I personally would only suggest you spiritually mature by emphasizing sin and guilt less and God’s love for you more. God may not be as angry with you as you fear. He loves you and He certainly is capable of understanding our human nature and limitations. And keep in mind only God knows your heart. Not mean people. He who is without sin cast the first stone. I understand being a mindful of sin and repentant. I’m not saying not to be. But remember God loves you. And once we repent a sin, we need to then accept God’s grace. There is no limit to His mercy and love and how many times we can be forgiven. He suffered on the cross for us. And God wants you happy and at peace. Peace be with you.

YES! This is a wise and gentle post
Please Pelagiathe Penit, read it again - absorb it - believe it - and be happy to be alive in God’s beautiful world. Enjoy your life - we aren’t here for very long in the greater scheme of things.
God bless you

 

[WilT]

To me it sounds like that *you prefer Sin *over Loving God. You don’t want to work on either knowing God or seeing how you can please HIM. Do you want to know how to please HIM??? Then change you lifestyle and change your ways of thinking. Move away from Sin and seek HIM. You don’t believe God is worth it but once you decide to follow HIM properly, He will be worth it. Why because it is YOU that needs to change and that change will seek it’s Master and Love…God. Then it will all be worth it.
When your ready to seek the Lord, He will be waiting for you. (the prodigal son syndrome). Good luck and God Bless. If I’m mistaken then please pardon me. Pax

 

[WilT]

I’m not sure I’m following what you are complaining about? Are you complaining about all the suffering in the world? In regards to that I find it helpful to think of it as a reminder to us that earth isn’t heaven.

Or are you complaining about people being mean to others when others sin, telling others how angry God is with them, causing suffering and anquish? In regards to that I find it helpful not to put too much concern in how other human beings judge me. Only God knows our hearts.
.
If you’re complaining about something else that I’m not understanding, forgive me. Peace be with you.