Scariest and Most Depressing thing I have read

[frangiuliano115]

Because…?
You think “newcomers” are not capable of comprehending the Gospel??

This is both condescending and an abdication of the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel. Scripture and the Church’s teaching are easily accessible to anyone.

And you’re telling ME about my responsibility to proclaim the gospel?!

That’ll keep me going for at least a couple of days!
What do you know about me?

And while we’re at it, could you please direct me to scriptural support of the poster’s contention if you feel that it’s found in the bible somewhere.

Thanks.

 

[petra22]

God wants us to carry a cross.

What is the cross? Anything unpleasant. Anxiety included. Suffering.

This is the will of God.

Life is to be filled with suffering and be horrific.

You know what, Bob? If God didn’t love you, you wouldn’t be here. Be honest, or at least be honest with yourself… have you gone to spend time with Jesus in Adoration? Have you THANKED him for making you from nothing? Have you thanked him for all the things he HAS given you already BEFORE you ask for more? Did he give you daylight today? Eyes to see colors? (You know some people can’t see colors?) Did he give you a beating heart? with no holes in it? (some people have to have heart surgery very early in life…) As much as you have you should be thanking God every second of every day… Bob, the biggest thing He has given you??? A chance at ETERNAL Life with Him. All you have to do is want it. Be thankful, Bob. It’s the time of Thanksgiving after all… and even that person who can’t see colors or has a hole in their heart… God loves them and has given them Life which can be traded in at the end for Eternal Life… We get so caught up in material things or focus on things we think we DON’T have. Count the good things you do have. Number 1 is people (strangers) on this forum who love you enough to pray for you…

 

[guanophore]

And you’re telling ME about my responsibility to proclaim the gospel?!

That’ll keep me going for at least a couple of days!
What do you know about me?

Thanks.

It’s your presentation, Fran, that prevents you from being understood and appreciated.

Clem!

You thing everybody who reads these threads have read the gospels and letters and know christian theology?

You’re entitled to think my statement is condescending and I’m entitled to say that something should not be posted as doctrine that is NOT.

Of course, but you could say it in a manner that does not alienate people.

 

[frangiuliano115]

It’s your presentation, Fran, that prevents you from being understood and appreciated.

Of course, but you could say it in a manner that does not alienate people.

Maybe I should stop posting.

i agree with Trident, post no. 2.

Maybe he knows how to say it properly and I don’t.

I don’t know what could be more alienating than being legalistic and judgmental.

I’ve spent years of my life teaching children about God. You don’t do it by giving them a list of do’s and don’ts and telling them they have to follow them or they’re going straight to hell. You do it by transmitting to them, the best you can, Jesus’ love. Why He died for them, why they should love Him. THEN you also teach about obedience to Him.

It’s incredible to me that a child could understand this but I have trouble expressing myself here; although, I must say, many do understand and maybe it’s just that we each have our own path and understanding once we become adults.

Sometimes i think it’s important to at least say what I think. Sometimes I think I should just stop. God will take this where He wills it to go.

Fran

 

[dedo]

Even if I recognized his voice, would I have the consolations the great saints had?

My problem is not loneliness, the problem is God not wanting me.

Hard to trust in the mercy of someone who doesn’t want me.

If my wife gave me the silent treatment, I’m in trouble.
If God gives me the silent treatment, how am I NOT in trouble?

I’m imperfect. That’s enough reason.

There’s a reason why 99.9% of people never have a mystical experience or a conversation (two way!) with God

How does one have a personal relationship with God who doesn’t want to personally relate to them?

I have a corporate relationship with God. I’m in the body of Christ - so incorporated.

I’m clearly not having a personal one. God won’t talk to me.

I am sorry that you are still dealing with this discouragement. However, in many trials there is an opportunity, if you are willing to look for it and take it.

What you have been writing is a reflection of what you have been thinking. Numerous people have pointed out a different point of view. These people see the world differently and have a different perception. Although they are not dealing with your issues, many people have dealt with issues that are extremely difficult, and have turned it around. Some have even used their trials as a motivation to launch an amazing career. I follow and learn from such people.

There are huge holes in your theology. For example, your statistic that “99.9% of people never have a mystical experience” is based on what? My own point of view is that every act of kindness, helpful direction, and beauty in the world, is sourced in the Divine. You have had scores of amazing insights just on this forum, and you don’t think any of them are something you should listen to?

The Catholic speaker and author, Matthew Kelly, recommends his listeners follow the two practices of the most successful companies he consults for in his consulting business:

1. They engage in continuous learning.
2. They search for best practice.

Consider doing the same.

Specifically, keep learning and reading and look for ideas on actions you can take to change something.

I have only one suggestion that I am incorporating into my own practice:

Consider adding a daily practice of Christian meditation (Lectio Divina) to your practice. This can include meditating on Scripture, or saying the Rosary. Start with 5 minutes / day and don’t miss days. The purpose is to change your thought pattern and then change your words. Some passages I use include: Isaiah 45:24, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 45:2 any time I encounter discouragement.

The main two reasons for this is that as long as you are “in your mind” in a negative thought pattern, you are missing being “present in Christ”. This creates the perception of the statistic you mentioned above. Once the negative thought patterns improve, hopefully your words will change. Since words have power, changing words from negative to positive can change your future.

Good luck.

 

[Paganus]

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

fatimacrusader.com/cr61/cr61pg48.asp

I read this Fatima crusader link. Interesting tract. I would share it with my teenagers but not with the little kids.

I always thought many people would go to Purgatory but this makes it seem impossible for us to avoid Hell.

You have to aim for Heaven to get Purgatory and most people are aiming for their television sets.

Add the imperfect contrition and death before confession means I don’t stand a chance.

Why not? Consecrate yourself to Mary, get a plenary indulgence (available daily) at least once a week and perform the nine First Fridays devotion. Also, you can try any or all of the multitude of sacramentals that are available. Holy Water is like Windex for venial sin. Give it a whirl.

Would it not have been better if none of us were ever born?

What, no St. Francis of Assisi? I don’t think so.

I feel more depressed now than when I went through my illness as a young man.

We all get bummed out. It comes from navel-gazing. The cure is well known: do something selfless for someone who can’t pay you back.

Have a blessed day!

 

[Pythagoras]

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

fatimacrusader.com/cr61/cr61pg48.asp

I always thought many people would go to Purgatory but this makes it seem impossible for us to avoid Hell.

Add the imperfect contrition and death before confession means I don’t stand a chance.

Would it not have been better if none of us were ever born?

I feel more depressed now than when I went through my illness as a young man.

Padre Pio: “I believe that not a great number of souls go to hell. God loves us so much. He formed us at his image. God loves us beyond understanding. And it is my belief that when we have passed from the consciousness of the world, when we appear to be dead, God, before He judges us, will give us a chance to see and understand what sin really is. And if we understand it properly, how could we fail to repent?”

Don’t give in to despair, trust in God’s mercy

 

[guanophore]

Maybe I should stop posting.

i agree with Trident, post no. 2.

Maybe he knows how to say it properly and I don’t.

I don’t know what could be more alienating than being legalistic and judgmental.

Sometimes you come across this way. You think you are on the grace/mercy end of the spectrum, but you judge your siblings in Christ as being “unspiritual” because we follow Church disciplines that you think are “silly” and “crazy”. It is judgment just the same, just for something different.

  I've spent years of my life teaching children about God.  You don't do it by giving them a list of do's and don'ts and telling them they have to follow them or they're going straight to hell.  You do it by transmitting to them, the best you can, Jesus' love.  Why He died for them, why they should love Him.  THEN you also teach about obedience to Him.

I am sure your love for Jesus has served you well in this task.

But had you considered that not all of us are still children? That perhaps we have moved beyond the abysmal catachesis we had as children? Your posts seem to come across to us as if you are schooling 10 year olds. I don’t think you realize how judgmental it comes across.

 It's incredible to me that a child could understand this but I have trouble expressing myself here; although, I must say, many do understand and maybe it's just that we each have our own path and understanding once we become adults.

It is true that adult education is different than that of children. Maybe God has brought you here to help you hone your skills on a different population?

  Sometimes i think it's important to at least say what I think.  Sometimes I think I should just stop.  God will take this where He wills it to go.

I agree, it is important to say what one thinks. The problem here is that you have introduced yourself as a Catholic Catechist, so when you post things that seem to contradict the teaching of the Church, it alarming. Perhaps if you had registered otherwise, it would be different?

 

[BobCatholic]

You have just achieved the most useful insight about this particular member. Let all the readers of the thread beware, you can post to the 1000 limit, and this is where you will find yourselves.

Judgmental, harsh and lacking empathy. How is this charitable?

It does become your choice to continue with this line of reasoning.

No, it is not a choice. If God closed the door, there’s no way I can open it.

Try the circle of Faith, Hope and Love. When I lose Faith, I can Hope. When I can’t Hope, I can Love. I alone choose to Love or not Love so I choose Love. When I have Love I have Faith and when I Faith I have Love.

Faith is a gift. If God won’t give me the gift of faith, I’ll never have it. I ask, won’t get, then wonder how I’m supposed to get it.

When God says no, game over, there is no hope. And how can I love someone who doesn’t want to talk to me?

A single guy tries talking to a girl who gives him the silent treatment. She clearly does not love him, nor want him.

A married man tries talking to his wife who gives him the silent treatment, he is in big trouble. And when God doesn’t talk, how am I not in trouble?

Nobody in this thread addressed this.

You know what, Bob? If God didn’t love you, you wouldn’t be here.

And why am I here, only to be rejected by God? What is the point?

Jesus said it was better if Judas was never born. I think he thinks same way about myself.

Unfortunately, I’ve decided to give up. I can’t understand what God is doing (assuming he even wants me), so I’m dropping out of this thread. All I get is either judgmental people declaring me evil for not being a masochist, or nobody actually reading my posts and giving me advice based on what they think they read instead of what I actually wrote.

The most depressing thing I’ve seen is that there is no way to have a conversation with God, because God won’t talk to me. Prayer is only a monologue, so I’ll just monologue to the Holy Spirit begging for understanding of why things are happening to me, and seeing if that works.

 

[guanophore]

Judgmental, harsh and lacking empathy. How is this charitable?

You and I have done those 1000 posts, have we not, dear brother? I am finding an exact match to posts you wrote three years ago.

No, it is not a choice. If God closed the door, there’s no way I can open it.

I agree, and all of us here will disagree that God has closed any door, but I know that no matter how many links, pleading, etc are posted, you will persist in your belief that God has closed the door. This is your perogative. It is also necessary to support your way of being in the world.

Faith is a gift. If God won’t give me the gift of faith, I’ll never have it. I ask, won’t get, then wonder how I’m supposed to get it.

I agree that faith is a gift. What we believe about God is different. I don’t think anyone posting here is going to offer anything that has not already been offered, and I don’t think you are going to chage your ideas about God.

When God says no, game over, there is no hope.   And how can I love someone who doesn't want to talk to me?

An interesting philosophical question, since we love our infants, and our disabled.
Some of us also love our pets.

A single guy tries talking to a girl who gives him the silent treatment. She clearly does not love him, nor want him.

I am sure this reasoning makes sense to you, and must be preserved. If you were to change your conclusions, you would have to change your way of being in the world.

A married man tries talking to his wife who gives him the silent treatment, he is in big trouble.   And when God doesn't talk, how am I not in trouble?

I am sure you perceive it that way. Often these kinds of perceptions are formed in early childhood, as a result of our life experiences, and persist over a lifetime as an ingrained part of our personality.

Nobody in this thread addressed this.

And why am I here, only to be rejected by God? What is the point?

Jesus said it was better if Judas was never born. I think he thinks same way about myself.

No one will be able to jar you from such conclusions, as they are a necessary outgrowth of your personality and perspective through which you see the world.

Unfortunately, I’ve decided to give up. I can’t understand what God is doing (assuming he even wants me), so I’m dropping out of this thread. All I get is either judgmental people declaring me evil for not being a masochist, or nobody actually reading my posts and giving me advice based on what they think they read instead of what I actually wrote.

You are not an evil man, Bob, just very wounded, stuck, and miserable. I think you are right, no amount of advice will change that.

The most depressing thing I've seen is that there is no way to have a conversation with God, because God won't talk to me.    Prayer is only a monologue, so I'll just monologue to the Holy Spirit begging for understanding of why things are happening to me, and seeing if that works.

It certainliy is a depressing way to perceive things. I am sure you are suffering a lot from it, and you will remain in my prayers.

 

[clem456]

Getting the silent treatment from God can be the path to sainthood.

Mother Teresa got the silent treatment year after year after year.
In response, she chose to clean maggots out of wounds, and tolerate the bad breath of the dying and decaying as she touched their sore-infested skin.

Just when I think God has peed on me, he raises up someone like her to show me what love looks like. Quite the challenge.
God gave her the silent treatment, and she made a choice to serve others without regard to her personal suffering.

It is our choice to say yes to God, or to insist he give us what we want first.

God’s love asks us for a choice, for a response.

 

[HelenRose]

Judgmental, harsh and lacking empathy. How is this charitable?

No, it is not a choice. If God closed the door, there’s no way I can open it.

Faith is a gift. If God won’t give me the gift of faith, I’ll never have it. I ask, won’t get, then wonder how I’m supposed to get it.

When God says no, game over, there is no hope. And how can I love someone who doesn’t want to talk to me?

A single guy tries talking to a girl who gives him the silent treatment. She clearly does not love him, nor want him.

A married man tries talking to his wife who gives him the silent treatment, he is in big trouble. And when God doesn’t talk, how am I not in trouble?

Nobody in this thread addressed this.

And why am I here, only to be rejected by God? What is the point?

Jesus said it was better if Judas was never born. I think he thinks same way about myself.

Unfortunately, I’ve decided to give up. I can’t understand what God is doing (assuming he even wants me), so I’m dropping out of this thread. All I get is either judgmental people declaring me evil for not being a masochist, or nobody actually reading my posts and giving me advice based on what they think they read instead of what I actually wrote.

The most depressing thing I’ve seen is that there is no way to have a conversation with God, because God won’t talk to me. Prayer is only a monologue, so I’ll just monologue to the Holy Spirit begging for understanding of why things are happening to me, and seeing if that works.

I can say no more. You persist in this logic and no one can help you. You don’t want help. You are enjoying the self pity. You will either solve this yourself or you will not. The choice is yours to make. Good bye.

 

[guanophore]

I can say no more. You persist in this logic and no one can help you. You don’t want help. You are enjoying the self pity. You will either solve this yourself or you will not. The choice is yours to make. Good bye.

I agree that persistence in this logic does prevent any help, from God or from brethren in Christ. But I do think help is desperately wanted, and I don’t think the self pity is enjoyed at all. This is a very entrenched and miserable condition. The same dynamic exists with other forum members as is described with God. Whatever help is offered is of no value because it does not come in the form that is wanted. Let us pray.

 

[Glomung]

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

fatimacrusader.com/cr61/cr61pg48.asp

I always thought many people would go to Purgatory but this makes it seem impossible for us to avoid Hell.

Add the imperfect contrition and death before confession means I don’t stand a chance.

Would it not have been better if none of us were ever born?

I feel more depressed now than when I went through my illness as a young man.

You need to be very careful about how you go about reading such texts. There is no doubt that the vast majority of “christians” are impious louts, who care more for dinner and football than the state of their souls. The fact that the text made you uneasy shows that you are concerned with your eternal state and pleasing God.
There is the saying, “do your best and let Him handle the rest.”
All that are sincere and humble will find consolation with Christ.

And yes, there’s a huge number of folks in Purgatory.

 

[emwharton]

In a time of confusion we need to be close to the Roman Catholic Church and all of its teachings. There are many dubious propagandist out there doing battle for our souls. Before you get depressed or scared check with Roman Catholic Church authorities as to the authenticity of the article.
If an article makes you scared and depressed then it is not the fruit of truth. God always sends us reminders to return to Him out of love not fear. However, if one is far from God it would make for a scary situation. Remember God is full of mercy and knows each and every one of us intimately and judges us accordingly. Keep to the commands of Jesus Christ and live a life that is exemplary to others and pray always pray!
God bless always
Edward Wharton

 

[HelenRose]

I agree that persistence in this logic does prevent any help, from God or from brethren in Christ. But I do think help is desperately wanted, and I don’t think the self pity is enjoyed at all. This is a very entrenched and miserable condition. The same dynamic exists with other forum members as is described with God. Whatever help is offered is of no value because it does not come in the form that is wanted. Let us pray.

I shouldn’t have judged this person as enjoying self pity. That was wrong because I can not judge anyone’s intentions. Self pity is disease and one that is very difficult to cure because the only person who can do this - with the help of Christ - is oneself. I know that I have no more to offer.

 

[petra22]

A single guy tries talking to a girl who gives him the silent treatment. She clearly does not love him, nor want him.
***God is not some girl who is giving you the silent treatment. God made you. Did this girl make you? Does she sustain your life daily??? God is YOUR creator. Remember that guy in the bible who went to talk to the sinful town to get them to repent? He did it and they repented and then the guy was mad at God for it? Somebody said you can’t tell the potter how to use the clay in his hands??? (Somebody help me on this, I can’t think…)
But, good news, Bob. Read to the end…

A married man tries talking to his wife who gives him the silent treatment, he is in big trouble. And when God doesn’t talk, how am I not in trouble?
***God is not your wife giving you the silent treatment. He is much much more than that. God is a creator and if you look around you he is speaking Volumes to you. Volumes that tell you how much he loves you. He picked you out from all the rest… and you are angry because God doesn’t treat you in a special way? But HE does treat you in a UNIQUELY SPECIAL way. There is no other person like you!!! He has a job for you. But God doesn’t work on our timeline. Think of poor John the Baptist. From birth he was told that he would be the messenger of God and he should live in the desert, drink no strong drink, eat locust and honey… and he waited 30 years for the mission God had in mind for him. HE did not know the mission. He probably got depressed for several of the years thinking what am I doing here???
Good news, Bob, read to the bottom…

““God would not vouchsafe you the desire to be the Victim of His Merciful Love,were this not a favor in store…God never inspires a longing which He cannot fulfill.”” --St. Therese of Lisieux (Autobiography)
***This is my signature line from St. Therese of Lisieux. But the important part for YOU, Bob, is this…God never inspires a longing which He cannot fulfill. You have a longing for God to talk to you. Right? He is going to do it, Bob. He will fulfill your desire. Please be patient. Please know that we are all praying for you. Don’t give up on us. and don’t give up on God…

 

[dedo]

Even if I recognized his voice, would I have the consolations the great saints had?

My problem is not loneliness, the problem is God not wanting me.

Hard to trust in the mercy of someone who doesn’t want me.

If my wife gave me the silent treatment, I’m in trouble.
If God gives me the silent treatment, how am I NOT in trouble?

I’m imperfect. That’s enough reason.

There’s a reason why 99.9% of people never have a mystical experience or a conversation (two way!) with God

How does one have a personal relationship with God who doesn’t want to personally relate to them?

I have a corporate relationship with God. I’m in the body of Christ - so incorporated.

I’m clearly not having a personal one. God won’t talk to me.

I am sorry that you are still dealing with this discouragement.

The problem may be in your perception. You say you never “hear from God”. My perception is that every kind word from anyone, helpful suggestion (whether kind or tough), item of beauty, or problem avoided is from God.

Are you in one piece? That is from God and there are plenty of people who are not in one piece. I have interviewed people who had so many medical problems that I was amazed they even made it to the hospital un-assisted, and the person was actually the primary care giver for someone else who was even worse off.

Has anyone ever given you a helpful tip? I have read scores of helpful tips in reply to your questions. However, you don’t see any of these as from God?

Have you ever seen a sunny day, a work of art, a flower, etc.? All from God.

In general, if something is not working for you then change and try something else. Catholic speaker, Matthew Kelly, advises his readers to emulate the strategy of the best companies he consults for in two specific areas:

1. These companies engage in continuous learning.
2. The companies search for best practice.

This is the science of change. Learn something and do something different based on what you have learned. Then stick with it whether you feel like it or not. Then you just add to your best practices, and improve the practices as you learn more.

You will get better ideas on what to change from books and CD’s than you will from me. However, one thing that stands out in your posts is that you appear to seek God in supplication and then undo your supplications with toxic negative affirmations about God and your future. I would be terrified to say the kind of things you are saying because I believe words have power and can create the future that you speak. Thus the key for me is to say positive things about God and future, regardless of what is happening to me in the present.
Another key is to try to do at least 5 minutes a day in Lectio Divina to train the mind to be “present”. This breaks the cycle of negative thinking that leads to negative speech that leads to a negative future. Lastly, the final key to keeping discouragement under control is to thank God continuously for everything positive in your life, and to thank God for a positive future as if that future had already occurred, or is certain to occur – as an affirmation of faith. Of course, if you believe you are depressed, seek medical help.

This is how we keep periods of discouragement from getting out of control. I recently went through a bout of discouragement. I am only discussing it because I have “coincidentally” run into about 5 people that seemed to be talking about the importance of learning to be open with others about your problems etc. In that area, you are better than me for sure and that is a compliment. I had a couple injuries and a potential business deal fell through. Then in a surreal turn of events at work, someone in the middle of the night made a decision that others disagreed with and tried to lay the blame on me, even though I supported the person.

The next day, I was told that “5 people were accusing me of making this decision”. It was surreal. The decision did not harm anyone and in the end everything turned out fine so it was more a test of political power than anything. Eventually, the case was kicked up to “peer review” to evaluate everyones “decisions”. In my reply, I just told the truth, but tried to put a positive spin on everyone’s decision, including the people that falsely accused me.

I have not seen the final result of the “peer review”; however, I was told that those who accused me got a citation, and I was exonerated

So what is the point of all this? I will just share what I believe is the spiritual lesson for me because right afterwards I remembered the story of an athlete (surfer) who lost her arm to a tiger shark in Hawaii and later ended up competing successfully with one arm. The athlete lost her arm as a teenager when surfing with friends. However, she never would have been in the situation had she not cancelled going on a mission trip that she had signed up for.

Thus, had she gone on the mission trip, she would have never encountered the tiger shark.

The lesson for me is: “move forward and know that your back is covered. or cancel the “mission trip” and wait for the tiger shark”.

Even though I am afraid to move forward, it is better than waiting for a #%&#@ing tiger shark, since I know what that looks like having both taken care of shark attack victims, and having been bumped by a very large shark.

God’s messages are subtle and we have to train ourselves to “hear” them.

Of course, if I “move forward” and someone blows my head off then I got it wrong. However, moving forward is more fun and exciting than staying in the same place, being miserable, and waiting for a tiger shark. And if what I am working on doesn’t pan out, then on the other side of a closed door is another open door (better opportunity). However, so far it looks good (positive affirmation).

Good luck

 

[frangiuliano115]

I am sorry that you are still dealing with this discouragement.

The problem may be in your perception. You say you never “hear from God”. My perception is that every kind word from anyone, helpful suggestion (whether kind or tough), item of beauty, or problem avoided is from God.

Are you in one piece? That is from God and there are plenty of people who are not in one piece. I have interviewed people who had so many medical problems that I was amazed they even made it to the hospital un-assisted, and the person was actually the primary care giver for someone else who was even worse off.

Has anyone ever given you a helpful tip? I have read scores of helpful tips in reply to your questions. However, you don’t see any of these as from God?

Have you ever seen a sunny day, a work of art, a flower, etc.? All from God.

In general, if something is not working for you then change and try something else. Catholic speaker, Matthew Kelly, advises his readers to emulate the strategy of the best companies he consults for in two specific areas:

1. These companies engage in continuous learning.
2. The companies search for best practice.

This is the science of change. Learn something and do something different based on what you have learned. Then stick with it whether you feel like it or not. Then you just add to your best practices, and improve the practices as you learn more.

You will get better ideas on what to change from books and CD’s than you will from me. However, one thing that stands out in your posts is that you appear to seek God in supplication and then undo your supplications with toxic negative affirmations about God and your future. I would be terrified to say the kind of things you are saying because I believe words have power and can create the future that you speak. Thus the key for me is to say positive things about God and future, regardless of what is happening to me in the present.
Another key is to try to do at least 5 minutes a day in Lectio Divina to train the mind to be “present”. This breaks the cycle of negative thinking that leads to negative speech that leads to a negative future. Lastly, the final key to keeping discouragement under control is to thank God continuously for everything positive in your life, and to thank God for a positive future as if that future had already occurred, or is certain to occur – as an affirmation of faith. Of course, if you believe you are depressed, seek medical help.

This is how we keep periods of discouragement from getting out of control. I recently went through a bout of discouragement. I am only discussing it because I have “coincidentally” run into about 5 people that seemed to be talking about the importance of learning to be open with others about your problems etc. In that area, you are better than me for sure and that is a compliment. I had a couple injuries and a potential business deal fell through. Then in a surreal turn of events at work, someone in the middle of the night made a decision that others disagreed with and tried to lay the blame on me, even though I supported the person.

The next day, I was told that “5 people were accusing me of making this decision”. It was surreal. The decision did not harm anyone and in the end everything turned out fine so it was more a test of political power than anything. Eventually, the case was kicked up to “peer review” to evaluate everyones “decisions”. In my reply, I just told the truth, but tried to put a positive spin on everyone’s decision, including the people that falsely accused me.

I have not seen the final result of the “peer review”; however, I was told that those who accused me got a citation, and I was exonerated

So what is the point of all this? I will just share what I believe is the spiritual lesson for me because right afterwards I remembered the story of an athlete (surfer) who lost her arm to a tiger shark in Hawaii and later ended up competing successfully with one arm. The athlete lost her arm as a teenager when surfing with friends. However, she never would have been in the situation had she not cancelled going on a mission trip that she had signed up for.

Thus, had she gone on the mission trip, she would have never encountered the tiger shark.

The lesson for me is: “move forward and know that your back is covered. or cancel the “mission trip” and wait for the tiger shark”.

Even though I am afraid to move forward, it is better than waiting for a #%&#@ing tiger shark, since I know what that looks like having both taken care of shark attack victims, and having been bumped by a very large shark.

God’s messages are subtle and we have to train ourselves to “hear” them.

Of course, if I “move forward” and someone blows my head off then I got it wrong. However, moving forward is more fun and exciting than staying in the same place, being miserable, and waiting for a tiger shark.

Good luck

Thanks for this wonderful post.

It has helped me too and I’m sure it could help many.
We could all use a positive attitude. Life gets us down.

Fran

 

[dedo]

Maybe I should stop posting.

i agree with Trident, post no. 2.

Maybe he knows how to say it properly and I don’t.

I don’t know what could be more alienating than being legalistic and judgmental.

I’ve spent years of my life teaching children about God. You don’t do it by giving them a list of do’s and don’ts and telling them they have to follow them or they’re going straight to hell. You do it by transmitting to them, the best you can, Jesus’ love. Why He died for them, why they should love Him. THEN you also teach about obedience to Him.

It’s incredible to me that a child could understand this but I have trouble expressing myself here; although, I must say, many do understand and maybe it’s just that we each have our own path and understanding once we become adults.

Sometimes i think it’s important to at least say what I think. Sometimes I think I should just stop. God will take this where He wills it to go.

Fran

Thank you for your gracious compliment and for your service in teaching children about God.

That is important work.

I also agree with your perspective about the right way to teach people about religion. Those that are obsessed with other people’s faults often just drive people away from religion.

That was the mistake of the Pharisees.

Interestingly, when I hear from people that are making a real effort in service to the unfortunate, and who are in the real world teaching people about Jesus, I don’t hear from those people this sort of judgmental tone.

From my limited perspective, the people who successfully overcome vice in their lives, do it because they have found something better, not because someone scared them.

How else can you account for the actions of Saints like St. Joan of Arc or St. Agnes whose faith could not be shaken by the full military might of the empires of their day.?

How else can you account for saints such as St. Francis who walked away from family wealth to serve the unfortunate?

There is no other reasonable explanation. These people found something incredible, that no lure of worldly pleasure, honor, $, power, or fear could shake.

That is what we should each be seeking.