Problems with faith. Please help!

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coolcatholicguy

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First of all, I love The Church and God, and I am trying my best to have faith, but I’ve run into some things I need a little help with. Sometimes, for example last night, I was taking a shower and the water was semi-warm, and I decided I wasn’t going to turn it up any higher and trust in God to keep me warm. As I got more used to the water, it felt less warm, and I ended up turning the heat up. I felt like by doing this, I was showing a llack of faith in God. Please help me understand this. I know it says numerous times in The Holy Bible “Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.” but it also says in Mark 11:23-24:
“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I feel like I am doubting here. So, what is the difference, in your mind, betwen having faith and testing THE LORD YOUR GOD?
 
Bro,

Because I do the same things as you. I can safely say, you are being silly. I mean, think about what you’re saying. “hey God, keep me warm, when I can turn the heat up”. It’s kinda… silly.

I know that sounds like dumb, insensitive advice, but its something I have to tell myself when my OCD stuff starts to rear its head. God answers your prayers for things you need… not turning the heat up. Trust in God, but I mean, don’t try test him or your own faith with those kinda things, you know?
 
I have faith that God lead you to make the water more comfortable for you. You can always look at it that way. Why didn’t you want to make the water warmer? To save money? What? Or was it indeed to test God.

Thinking that God will provide no matter what with no question is having faith.
 
A farmer is in Iowa during a flood. The river is overflowing, with water surrounding the farmer’s home up to his front porch. As he is standing there, a boat comes up, The man in the boat says “Jump in, I’ll take you to safety.”

The farmer crosses his arms and says stubbornly, “Nope, I put my trust in God.”

The boat goes away. The water rises to the second floor. Another boat comes up, the man says to the farmer who is now in the second story window, “Jump in, I’ll save you.”

The farmer again says, “Nope, I put my trust in God.”

The boat goes away. Now the water is up to the roof. As The farmer stands on the roof, a helicopter comes over, and drops a ladder. The pilot yells down to the farmer “I’ll save you, climb the ladder.”

The farmer says “Nope, I put my trust in God.”

The helicopter goes away. The water comtinues to rise and sweeps the farmer off the roof. He drowns.

The farmer goes to heaven. God sees him and says “What are you doing here?”

The farmer says “I put my trust in you and you let me down.”

God says, “What do you mean, let you down? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!!!”

God also gave you control over the heat of the water in your shower and expects you to use your common sense.
 
I don’t think you were testing God. You don’t come across as someone who would do that intentionally.

I think you were testing yourself. You were testing whether your faith was strong enough to hold up to whatever nature would throw your way – regardless of whether it is within the range you had anticipated.

Failing a test is not a bad thing; it is a reference point to show you where you are.

Whether you should test yourself with cold water treatment or not is entirely subjective, and as some clearly think, is a silly question. I’m taking you seriously because personally I learn more from silly questions than from mainstream questions.

Alan
 
coolcatholicguy said:
First of all, I love The Church and God, and I am trying my best to have faith, but I’ve run into some things I need a little help with. Sometimes, for example last night, I was taking a shower and the water was semi-warm, and I decided I wasn’t going to turn it up any higher and trust in God to keep me warm. As I got more used to the water, it felt less warm, and I ended up turning the heat up. I felt like by doing this, I was showing a llack of faith in God. Please help me understand this. I know it says numerous times in The Holy Bible “Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.” but it also says in Mark 11:23-24:
“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I feel like I am doubting here. So, what is the difference, in your mind, betwen having faith and testing THE LORD YOUR GOD?
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I think maybe God would have you get warmer by turning the heat up. He gave you two hands and a hot water faucet, so why would you not use what is there instead of expecting magic…You trusted God when the water got warmer when you turned the heat up and it didn’t get colder.
Don’t make yourself crazy with this stuff, it’s not worth it.
 
Don’t tempt God over silly things.
He does not give into temptation. Nor does He answer every prayer with a “yes”.
The correct prayer is in His Lord’s Prayer in the Bible: “Thy will be done”, not my will be done
He expects us to do normal things for ourselves that’s why he gave us a brain. If He wanted us totally dependent without a free will He would have made us that way.
 
I still don’t get why everybody thinks he was testing God.

He was testing his own will power. He had to know the temperature could have changed.

If he was challenging himself to stay in potentially cold or hot water without flinching, then he was testing himself. If he was challenging God to keep him warm, then God came through – he gave the OP good enough sense to turn the stupid thing up and lose a bit of pride.

If he was guilty of any sin, it was of prideful boasting that he was going to do a particular thing in the future in a particular way. He should have said, “God willing, I will be able to complete my shower without changing the temperature knobs.” Then he would be testing himself and not sinning, as he would no longer be boasting.

Alan
 
AlanFromWichita said:
I still don’t get why everybody thinks he was testing God.

He was testing his own will power. He had to know the temperature could have changed.

If he was challenging himself to stay in potentially cold or hot water without flinching, then he was testing himself. If he was challenging God to keep him warm, then God came through – he gave the OP good enough sense to turn the stupid thing up and lose a bit of pride.

If he was guilty of any sin, it was of prideful boasting that he was going to do a particular thing in the future in a particular way. He should have said, “God willing, I will be able to complete my shower without changing the temperature knobs.” Then he would be testing himself and not sinning, as he would no longer be boasting.

Alan
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Alan:

Because of what “CoolCatholicGuy” said in his post:
First of all, I love The Church and God, and I am trying my best to have faith, but I’ve run into some things I need a little help with. Sometimes, for example last night, I was taking a shower and the water was semi-warm, and I decided I wasn’t going to turn it up any higher and trust in God to keep me warm. As I got more used to the water, it felt less warm, and I ended up turning the heat up. I felt like by doing this, I was showing a llack of faith in God. Please help me understand this. I know it says numerous times in The Holy Bible “Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.” but it also says in Mark 11:23-24:
* “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”*
*I feel like I am doubting here. So, what is the difference, in your mind, between having faith and testing THE LORD YOUR GOD? *
​
Which sure sounds as if HE worried that he might be “testing God”. The problem is that the Church, the body of Christ, has been infected with something called “Prosperity Doctrine” which essentially says, “Claim it and it’s yours’. Just Confess it, and You’ll Possess it” Our Lord never said that - He said He would take care of out Needs and for us not to worry about them…

That’s not what I’m hearing here.

Yours in Christ, Michael
 
I understand where you are coming from, the curiosity to see if it would work, but that in the case is lack of Faith… Faith is belief in the things that are not seen, calling those things as though they are, yes that is true. Faith is also a mystery, it truly is. Even when you look at Christ, what did he do all the time, He prayed, He fasted, and He knew the Word of God, for He was the Word of God. I sometimes wonder when we get to Heaven, if we won’t look back and say, I could of done this or that, or I could of been cured of this or that.

Not sound confusing, but I sometimes think that the mystery of Faith is so simple, that it confounds us.

I also believe if we want Faith like Christ, the kind of faith that can move mountains, we all have alot of growing to do. Could we really live the life that Christ and the Apostles did, sacrafice what they did, I think we could, but until we get to that point it will remain a mystery to us.

Then there is also the case of the fervent prayer. Meaning, when you are praying for something that you really need, say a healing, we all know that we pray differently.

I will close w/this. I have long to see more, meaning I would love to see angels and such, experience that supernatural experience of God’s power, but if you recall in the Bible, when God has shown people that, they usually fall to the ground in fear, because of the Almighty Presence of God.

I believe each and everyday we grow closer to our Lord Jesus, as long as we continue to seek Him. Seek and you shall find, and the more we seek Him, the more He will show us. And I as I seek Him, the more I see that is not so much about me, but about Him and sharing His love with others. Faith is dead w/o works, and our works is Loving and helping each other.
 
Traditional_Ang said:
Alan:

Because of what “CoolCatholicGuy” said in his post:

aid He would take care of out Needs and for us not to worry about them…

That’s not what I’m hearing here.

Yours in Christ, Michael

I agree with you that the OP was concerned about his action testing God, but if he wanted to test God I think he could have done a better job. As it was, I saw it as a disguised attempt at showing himself bravado in promising himself – before God or whatever – that he would not touch the knob come what may. I see that as a sin of pride in himself, not a lack of faith in God. When he turned the knob up, it wasn’t because God failed to keep the temp, but that he failed to tolerate the chill of the water – kind of wimpy for that matter since the water didn’t actually cool off. :rolleyes:

If he has any other problem, it’s in having taken his faith flippantly; again, a different problem than putting God to the test.

Oh well. I guess I’m either wrong or not getting through. 🤷 I guess I must not be an expert at testing God. 😃

Alan
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Hello Coolguy,

The thought that came to mind as I read your post was the temptation that satan tried with Jesus:

Mt. 4:6, “If you are the Son of God,” he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ "

7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ "

Let’s paraphrase your temptation, “Lord, If you really mean what you said about faith, show me how strong my faith is by making my water warm.”

This is pretty heavy stuff to dwell on for a 14-year-old who is striving to learn the scriptures. In your eagerness to follow the Lord, you need to have a good understanding of Jesus’ words and teachings. It is imprudent to take some of them literally. Would you pluck out your eye if it was an occasion of sin for you, as Jesus said? or cut off your arm? Similarly, none of us should go outside and command a physical mountain to move, in order to prove our faith. 😛

I hear you forming the next question, then what is the faith Jesus was talking about here? Childlike trust in him and his providence, to hear our prayers and answer them according to his will - in a nutshell.

Here’s an excellent example of faith in Habakkuk 3:17:
17
For though the fig tree blossom not, nor fruit be on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18
Yet will I rejoice in the LORD and exult in my saving God.
19
GOD, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables me to go upon the heights.
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When everything around us is crumbling, we can still have faith and trust with our hearts able to rejoice in God.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
First of all, I love The Church and God, and I am trying my best to have faith, but I’ve run into some things I need a little help with. Sometimes, for example last night, I was taking a shower and the water was semi-warm, and I decided I wasn’t going to turn it up any higher and trust in God to keep me warm. As I got more used to the water, it felt less warm, and I ended up turning the heat up. I felt like by doing this, I was showing a llack of faith in God. Please help me understand this. I know it says numerous times in The Holy Bible “Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.” but it also says in Mark 11:23-24:
“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I feel like I am doubting here. So, what is the difference, in your mind, betwen having faith and testing THE LORD YOUR GOD?
Click to expand...
How wonderful that in your world there are no hungry people to pray for, nor anyone who is homeless or depressed or lonely or jobless or grieving, and all nations are in peace with each other, that you have the luxury of praying for a comforting temperature while showing. 🤷

.
 
In my experience, there are things that faith deals with, and intellect–God’s gift–addresses.

I am happy to know that in everything that you’re doing, you’re thinking about God. When I was younger, I also did a lot of silly things like asking God if it’s right to do this thing or that thing when simple common sense or intellect or free will would’ve sufficed. (Although truth be told, I still ask God which style/color of dress to don up when going out.)

I think it’s cool that you’re asking about the difference between faith and testing God. I have come to know–though others may correct me in this–that when I’m testing God, it’s when I know my intellect, experience or scientific law says doing/not doing something would be outright catastrophic–or at least dangerous, risky, detrimental, or nonsensical.

Like climbing up the roof of our house. I’m testing God when I say, “Okay God, I’m going down. But I’m going to jump, not down through the ladder, and if you’re taking care of me like you said you are, then I won’t break my leg or anything.” My intellect and the laws of gravity are saying it’s not a good thing because if I jumped, then I will hurt myself (unless the roof of my house is just a couple feet off the ground). Asking God to come to my rescue this way is a test of His powers and love for us.

But then, if I’m still at the roof of the house and by some stroke of bad luck the ladder which I used to go up the roof fell off and I can’t go down that way again, then faith comes in to help intellect. So you say, “God, I’m going to find a safe way to get down this roof without breaking my neck and please help me find that safe way down.” In this case, your faith is saying that God will find you a safe way down and what do you know, you may find later on that the tree beside your house had an overhanging branch over your roof from which you can safely climbed back down. Or if there’s not a safe way down, you ask God to bring somebody to help you get down…and to please hurry at least this once. 😃

It’s a matter of motives. Are you praying to God for something or someone because you think it’s the best way for Him to demonstrate and for you to measure His omnipotence, omniscience or omnipresence? Or are you praying to God because you simply trust that He knows what’s best for you and that you bow down to that will?

Also, it’s a matter of self will and His will. When is it your will? When is it His will?

You’re still young. There will be a lot of learning instances like this to come your way. God, in His infinite goodness, will not begrudge you this if you constantly pray to Him, seek His guidance, and ask in good faith–meaning, there’s no presumptuous notions in your noggin’. God knows even your unspoken thoughts so if you own up to your motivations for why you’re asking, He’ll guide you through the Holy Spirit to purify your faith. Then and only then will you know if you’re testing God or really acting in faith.
 
In my experience, there are things that faith deals with, and intellect–God’s gift–addresses.

I am happy to know that in everything that you’re doing, you’re thinking about God. When I was younger, I also did a lot of silly things like asking God if it’s right to do this thing or that thing when simple common sense or intellect or free will would’ve sufficed. (Although truth be told, I still ask God which style/color of dress to don up when going out.)

I think it’s cool that you’re asking about the difference between faith and testing God. I have come to know–though others may correct me in this–that when I’m testing God, it’s when I know my intellect, experience or scientific law says doing/not doing something would be outright catastrophic–or at least dangerous, risky, detrimental, or nonsensical.

Like climbing up the roof of our house. I’m testing God when I say, “Okay God, I’m going down. But I’m going to jump, not down through the ladder, and if you’re taking care of me like you said you are, then I won’t break my leg or anything.” My intellect and the laws of gravity are saying it’s not a good thing because if I jumped, then I will hurt myself (unless the roof of my house is just a couple feet off the ground). Asking God to come to my rescue this way is a test of His powers and love for us.

But then, if I’m still at the roof of the house and by some stroke of bad luck the ladder which I used to go up the roof fell off and I can’t go down that way again, then faith comes in to help intellect. So you say, “God, I’m going to find a safe way to get down this roof without breaking my neck and please help me find that safe way down.” In this case, your faith is saying that God will find you a safe way down and what do you know, you may find later on that the tree beside your house had an overhanging branch over your roof from which you can safely climbed back down. Or if there’s not a safe way down, you ask God to bring somebody to help you get down…and to please hurry at least this once. 😃

It’s a matter of motives. Are you praying to God for something or someone because you think it’s the best way for Him to demonstrate and for you to measure His omnipotence, omniscience or omnipresence? Or are you praying to God because you simply trust that He knows what’s best for you and that you bow down to that will?

Also, it’s a matter of self will and His will. When is it your will? When is it His will?

You’re still young. There will be a lot of learning instances like this to come your way. God, in His infinite goodness, will not begrudge you this if you constantly pray to Him, seek His guidance, and ask in good faith–meaning, there’s no presumptuous notions in your noggin’. God knows even your unspoken thoughts so if you own up to your motivations for why you’re asking, He’ll guide you through the Holy Spirit to purify your faith. Then and only then will you know if you’re testing God or really acting in faith.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
First of all, I love The Church and God, and I am trying my best to have faith, but I’ve run into some things I need a little help with. Sometimes, for example last night, I was taking a shower and the water was semi-warm, and I decided I wasn’t going to turn it up any higher and trust in God to keep me warm. As I got more used to the water, it felt less warm, and I ended up turning the heat up. I felt like by doing this, I was showing a llack of faith in God. Please help me understand this. I know it says numerous times in The Holy Bible “Do not put THE LORD YOUR GOD to the test.” but it also says in Mark 11:23-24:
“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I feel like I am doubting here. So, what is the difference, in your mind, betwen having faith and testing THE LORD YOUR GOD?
Click to expand...
I believe what you are experiencing is less “testing God” and more “discerning through experimental testing”. You are checking what you have learned about faith to see if your understanding is correct. Obviously you discovered a problem. But what is the problem. Is it God not fulfilling a promise? Is it that your faith is not strong enough? Maybe your understanding of faith, and trust are not yet mature enough? Some combination of these and other factors?
There are many factors that can go into this learning - this discernment.
Do not become discouraged. Be patient with yourself so that you may learn what gifts God has given you and how best you may use them for HIs Glory.

Peace
James
 
I’m just wondering if it’s a sin or not because I feel bad about doing things sometimes instead of letting God do them. Another example would be this:

I have a wristband that I sometimes roll up on my arm, and have faith that God will bring it back to its normal position. When it doesn’t, I feel bad about putting it back myself instead of having faith that God will do it.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
I’m just wondering if it’s a sin or not because I feel bad about doing things sometimes instead of letting God do them. Another example would be this:

I have a wristband that I sometimes roll up on my arm, and have faith that God will bring it back to its normal position. When it doesn’t, I feel bad about putting it back myself instead of having faith that God will do it.
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Thats what God gave you your other hand for…🤷

Some of the is sounds a bit scrupulous to me…

Peace
James
 
I think I am scrupulous in that way. I kind of agree with that but I don’t know where to draw the line, if any of that makes any sense.
 
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