Many people think that once they find the Lord their "luck" will improve. Sometimes this seems to be because they feel that praying is like ordering what you want from a menu.

For example, I once had a conversation with a friend that had recently come to the Lord. Shortly after his conversion his wife asked for a divorce and he was injured falling off a roof while doing some repairs. At a meeting we both attended he asked why things like that would happen when he had just begun "doing the right thing".

While I do believe that God answers prayers, my normal prayer is: "Thy will be done" with acceptance (hopefully) that the way of the Lord is best.

Is this a lack of faith in the real power of prayer, or true faith in God?

His wife must have been praying harder.

Is this a lack of faith in the real power of prayer, or true faith in God?Personally, I think it's a lack of understanding of what their faith is in.

God is not a good luck charm, nor a free ticket to wisdom and riches. He promises you eternal salvation in heaven, not immediate relief from discomfort. I think that's a huge part of the "render unto cesear" answer Jesus gave - comforts and goodies in this life are not God's legal tender, and not what religion is about.

People are judged by God by their intent, what's in their heart. If they came to God because they believed He would free them from the strife of life, they came with the wrong understanding (in my opinion and understanding) of God.

Personally, I think it's a lack of understanding of what their faith is in.

God is not a good luck charm, nor a free ticket to wisdom and riches. He promises you eternal salvation in heaven, not immediate relief from discomfort. I think that's a huge part of the "render unto cesear" answer Jesus gave - comforts and goodies in this life are not God's legal tender, and not what religion is about.

People are judged by God by their intent, what's in their heart. If they came to God because they believed He would free them from the strife of life, they came with the wrong understanding (in my opinion and understanding) of God.

It's hard to keep a thread going when we basically agree. This life is the preamble. If we live right, we get the chance for the good (after)life.

Thanks for replying. Have a blessed day.

I have always had a relationship with God. I feel that I used to pray for God to give me strength to get through certain rough times. I now thank God every day for giving me a beautiful life, beautiful sons and the strength to overcome obstacles. I have realized that as long as I have God in my life and live my life by his word, I will be OK.

Personally, I think it's a lack of understanding of what their faith is in.

God is not a good luck charm, nor a free ticket to wisdom and riches. He promises you eternal salvation in heaven, not immediate relief from discomfort. I think that's a huge part of the "render unto cesear" answer Jesus gave - comforts and goodies in this life are not God's legal tender, and not what religion is about.

People are judged by God by their intent, what's in their heart. If they came to God because they believed He would free them from the strife of life, they came with the wrong understanding (in my opinion and understanding) of God.

Well said.

He opens your eyes(if you are willing), and shows you the way to help others in need. That is my experience, since I have found my way back to His Teachings.

Can I get an Amen?

Well said.

He opens your eyes(if you are willing), and shows you the way to help others in need. That is my experience, since I have found my way back to His Teachings.

Can I get an Amen?

Life has much more purpose when following Gods teachings. I need to work on loving thy neighbor when thy neighbor hurts thy heart

I have always had a relationship with God. I feel that I used to pray for God to give me strength to get through certain rough times. I now thank God every day for giving me a beautiful life, beautiful sons and the strength to overcome obstacles. I have realized that as long as I have God in my life and live my life by his word, I will be OK.

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months ago

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months ago

I can't imagine how your feeling but I think that this statement is a fair one.

Originally Posted by Godblesdon1218
I have always had a relationship with God. I feel that I used to pray for God to give me strength to get through certain rough times. I now thank God every day for giving me a beautiful life, beautiful sons and the strength to overcome obstacles. I have realized that as long as I have God in my life and live my life by his word, I will be OK.

The fact is that rain falls on each of us. I am almost finished with The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis. I suggest you try a read of it or
A Grief Observed (Lewis book as his wife died of cancer).

This question is asked by all of humanity. But as we suffer we see and experience mercy in others, acts of kindness, patience just to name a few things. Maybe little consolation at the time. But I serve and worship a God the lays his life down and suffers for humanity. God is intimately understanding of our pain. He is not some heavenly grandfather who hands out toys to kids. He understands and can relate with our very personal pain. We see Jesus' own suffering FOR us and great character of the Bible like Job who suffer. In the end our place on earth is temporary and painful. God has promised us eternity where there will be "no more tears and no more pain". God, thorugh faith in him, will rescue us from the pain of this world.

I can't imagine how your feeling but I think that this statement is a fair one.



The fact is that rain falls on each of us. I am almost finished with The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis. I suggest you try a read of it or
A Grief Observed (Lewis book as his wife died of cancer).

This question is asked by all of humanity. But as we suffer we see and experience mercy in others, acts of kindness, patience just to name a few things. Maybe little consolation at the time. But I serve and worship a God the lays his life down and suffers for humanity. God is intimately understanding of our pain. He is not some heavenly grandfather who hands out toys to kids. He understands and can relate with our very personal pain. We see Jesus' own suffering FOR us and great character of the Bible like Job who suffer. In the end our place on earth is temporary and painful. God has promised us eternity where there will be "no more tears and no more pain". God, thorugh faith in him, will rescue us from the pain of this world.

C.S. Lewis! Yes, one of the best! Great books, and I highly recommend The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Great Divorce.

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months agoI don't know why it happened to you, either. A prayer will be said for you.

However, I think you came close to answering your question with your last sentence above - the future will reveal itself, and you may or may not ever know the cause of the pain you have today. But, just because you think it should be gone is not necessarily reason enough for it to be gone.

Life has much more purpose when following Gods teachings. I need to work on loving thy neighbor when thy neighbor hurts thy heart

Keep up the good work my dear. That is one of the hardest lessons....We're all working on that one!

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months ago

My prayers go out for you, BS Gal. I hope your treatments are progressing.

C.S. Lewis! Yes, one of the best! Great books, and I highly recommend The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Great Divorce.

(It's obvious I don't know how to do multiple quotes.)


Hi, Libby! Glad to see you made it back safe!

(It's obvious I don't know how to do multiple quotes.)


Hi, Libby! Glad to see you made it back safe!

Thanks, I'mMe. A lovely time visiting family, but always glad to be home.

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months ago

I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am on the poor side right now, but if I can bring you anything or do anything for you, please let me know. Even if you just need to vent to someone, I will always be here to listen. I hope that you feel better.

I remember one day, I took my son to Childrens Hospital, preparing for the worst. I remember being so upset and thinking "God, I dont think I will be able to take it if my baby does not get better". Just then, a child came out as I was called in. She was severely impaired, could barely walk with her little walker, but she was trying. Then her father came out behind her. He and his child were so happy. I remember saying hello to them and they seemed like they were on the top of the world.. I admired both of them and learned so much that day. I will always try to think positive and stay strong.

I remember one day, I took my son to Childrens Hospital, preparing for the worst. I remember being so upset and thinking "God, I dont think I will be able to take it if my baby does not get better". Just then, a child came out as I was called in. She was severely impaired, could barely walk with her little walker, but she was trying. Then her father came out behind her. He and his child were so happy. I remember saying hello to them and they seemed like they were on the top of the world.. I admired both of them and learned so much that day. I will always try to think positive and stay strong.

I had a similar experience...

A friend of mine spent part of a week "baby sitting" an 8 or 9 year old child. Oh my Lord that child had problems! She was blind, deaf, developmentally impaired and spent the most of the day I visited laying on the floor having one epileptic seizure after another.


At some point we all went outside to enjoy the nice day. You have never seen such a sight of joy as that child experiencing the sun and the breeze on her face! As much as she didn't have...that child had joy. That vision has stayed with me for 35 years. It's hard to stay down when you remember something like that.

Give me a shout out when you are hit with cancer.

I believe in God. I'm a good person. I don't go to church, but I help people and I try to be a good person. I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm pissed, but I still believe; however, it's hard sometimes when you are in a lot of pain, the meds are not working and you're praying for it to stop and it doesn't. And, sometimes, you pray for it to all be over. I'm glad he didn't answer that prayer 7 months ago

The only thing I can provide to this thread is that your post makes me pause and humbles me. Not having suffered any sort of real pain or suffering I often forget there are people that do and have a strength that I hope I would have if it were me.

Maybe that's why God does allow these things to happen; to show us we can have that strength. To humble us. I hate that you (or anyone else) would be used as an example for this reason but you shared this with us and it blessed me and humbled me. It's a stinking shame I have to be reminded of these things so often.

Thanks. :huggy:

:buddies:

o89VzBfBvco&feature=related

:buddies:

o89VzBfBvco&feature=related

And your point??????????????

My nursing class is over Aug 15. I will call you tomorrow so we can make plans.

My nursing class is over Aug 15. I will call you tomorrow so we can make plans.

Yea for you! I know that will take a big load off of you mind! I have some travel coming up. I will call or PM you soon.

And your point??????????????

John 14:6 (New International Version)

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I can't imagine how your feeling but I think that this statement is a fair one.



The fact is that rain falls on each of us. I am almost finished with The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis. I suggest you try a read of it or
A Grief Observed (Lewis book as his wife died of cancer).

This question is asked by all of humanity. But as we suffer we see and experience mercy in others, acts of kindness, patience just to name a few things. Maybe little consolation at the time. But I serve and worship a God the lays his life down and suffers for humanity. God is intimately understanding of our pain. He is not some heavenly grandfather who hands out toys to kids. He understands and can relate with our very personal pain. We see Jesus' own suffering FOR us and great character of the Bible like Job who suffer. In the end our place on earth is temporary and painful. God has promised us eternity where there will be "no more tears and no more pain". God, thorugh faith in him, will rescue us from the pain of this world.Another great book is Broken by Lon Solomon.