| TheMoonWakedWolf |
01-28-2014 12:47 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAshWolf
(Post 517135)
(*hugs*) I'm so sorry, CT...you don't deserve to go through this kind of stress. D: I'm sure you can help...just being there for them, letting them know you're willing to listen to them, actively doing things to show you care and that you need them...all of that adds up, and really can make a difference for someone. <:^) It takes some effort, but, I know you can do it. You're strong enough to do that. And, if all else fails, you might be able to get them help from someone else, like a therapist or a parent.
That's actually part of what the whole God-made-man-in-his-image subject means. Unlike most animals, we have the capacity to display qualities like love, justice, and have complete free will. ^_^ We're not totally governed by instinct, and God does not force us to do things.
Take a look at what Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 says. "...I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; and you must choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice, and by sticking to him, for he is your life and by him you will endure a long time." This is just one of many scriptures urging us to CHOOSE a life course that will result in current and future blessings, instead of permanent destruction.
Now, while there are things God DID set up and put into motion, like the ransom sacrifice that would allow our sins to be forgiven, he does not preordain most things. Instead, since he is all-powerful, can see into the future at will, and determine how a person or situation will turn out based on their personality, or circumstances. Like, how we can predict our friend's reaction to something, because we know them so well. But, looking into the future is something God chooses to do at will; he's not constantly looking into the future or predicting things. A good example of this is when God was about to investigate the actions of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18:20 says that God wanted to "see whether they are acting according to the outcry that has reached me. And if not, I can get to know it."
I know it hurts to see someone in so much pain because of their mental and/or emotional health. ;_; I know a LOT of people with severe depression, and I struggle with a mild form of it, too. But, notice that 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 calls God, "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials." Also, Psalms 34:18 says, "Jehovah [God] is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit." And 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, "On the other hand, we exhort YOU, brothers...speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all." See, God does not want people to be sad! He encourages his followers to take care of each other, and to give special care to those who are depressed and weak. ^_^
The best part, though, is a promise directly from God found at Revelation 21:4. "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." Although God is allowing suffering to continue for the moment, he will soon permanently get rid of the causes, memory, and the experience of suffering! (Why he allows it is another subject entirely, but, there IS a good reason for it. The point is, he does not cause it, but allows it for now, and will get rid of it soon. But, in case you're wondering why there's so much suffering to begin with and what its source is, here's a link to an explanation of that: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/ma...uch-suffering/ )
So, why are some people born with mental health issues, or are born into stressful circumstances? Simply put, it's the result of sin, which makes us imperfect physically and emotionally. Adam and Eve were perfect, and did not have to deal with things like that until they sinned, and introduced imperfection to all mankind...kind of like a dented bread pan. No matter how many loaves are made with it, each loaf will have that same big dent in it. Over time and use, that dent in the pan can get bigger, and effect the bread it produces, although it was once flawless.
TL;DR:
The Bible doesn't teach that fate exists.
We have free will and can change the course of our lives.
God WANTS us to be happy, and we'll be happy if we obey him and ask for help.
God can see into the future, but does not preordain the course of everyone's life, nor does he constantly look into the future. He has planned things out before, but does not do this for everything all the time.
Instead, God accurately predicts how someone will act based on their personality, heart, and circumstances.
God loves us and will gladly help us out.
He will soon remove the effects of sin, and thus get rid of death and all kinds of suffering. In the meantime, though, he makes it clear how to be the safest and happiest in life. Seriously...God's plan for us ISN'T to be unhappy, it's for us to be happy and enjoy life.
Instead of being given imperfect things like mental/emotional health issues by God, we were given those things by Adam, Eve, and Satan. These things are part of what sin and imperfection brings us.
I TOTALLY respect your right to choose to have faith or not, CT. <:^3 And I don't know if your friends trust what the Bible says or not. But, I sincerely hope you're okay, and that things turn out well for you AND your friends. (*hugs and gives cookies*) Let me know if there's anything I can do, or if you want/need to vent about it. Remember, you are awesome and stronger than you think!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bookworm1999
(Post 517158)
As much as it hurt to read, I'm sorry you feel that way. I really really am.
Just putting this out there, um, because it relates to what you says, but I found this quote by a man named David Platt. He wrote this book called Radical. My parents tell me it's what helped transformed their perspective on missions. It made them more passionate about their mission here in Romania. I haven't read it. Unfortunetly, I think I'm a little scared too. I think that if I do... I'll be disappointed by what I read bc it WILL change the way I think... but anywas, not getting into that.
“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
I can't describe how unbelievably true this is. I know it doesn't relate to nonbelievers, and I'm sorry I'm at such a lack of that information right now. But I mean, gee, I'd really like to list off all the crap I've been through just... in the last year and half. It doens't get easier when you're in Christ. You think we hide behind Him like He's some shield? I'm sure a lot do. Treat their religion like it's a mask and no one can hurt them because they wear it. Really, though, God's trying to push them out there on the sidelines where tons of crap, verbal abuses, and pain awaits them. Sometimes, I literally cry in my bad at night thinking of how unfair life is, how unfair GOD is. Really, I have to realize sometimes that God delights in exalting our inabilities. He intentionally puts people in situations where we come face to face with our need for him.
I hadn't realized how much I lacked in my trust for Him.
I await the happiness that lies before me when I see Him. One of my deepest fears is that when I approach God on judgement day, He'd tell me 'I wish you would have given up more'. I can't imagine a world without him.
Honestly, for you, I believe the answer is sin. I know you don't believe it, but that's my opinion for you. We're only beginning to face the consequences.
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Ok, to both of you, I apologise if I insulted you in any way. I didn't mean it as a direct bit to general faith in god. I was just frustrated and had had an argument with my parents about religion that morning.
Ash, i completely get what your saying about the bread pan and stuff. I've just grown with the lesson that god creates us all individually and sets a general path for us to take, the little detours and sightseeing pitstops being of our own accord. So from my faith, there isn't just one bread pan that got dented. God carves out own little cookie cutter, just for us. I just don't understand why he would make someone with a mental disability, or with autism, or with a sexuality other than heterosexuality, if anything besides is a sin. It doesn't make sense to me.
And Kenny, I completely respect your faith and decisions, and I get what your saying, but religion hasn't worked out for me. The morals of the church, yes, all the way, but I just simply don't believe. Again, I'm sorry if I insulted you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.S.Trendom
(Post 517242)
i feel u fuck that's why i stopped believing in god
yo u can make a difference. you've made my life brighter, and i know you've made a difference in other peoples' lives too. hell you're so fucking rad p sure u will end up saving at least one person's life
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I really hope ur right man it would be awesome to know that I matter tho
Thank you tho that actually helped me dude thank u *hug* |
