Help?

[anonymous]

I have CF and am currently in a very trying time in my life.

I am trying very hard to accept Christ into my life.

Ultimately, I have had a hard time doing so in the past because I feel so denied by God because of my problems, and also because of all of the awful things in the world that people suffer because of.

I don't really know why I'm posting this... just maybe to get some personal insight, particularly from people with CF or with children with CF who have accepted Christ as their Savior and have some encouraging things to say to me.

I really appriciate it.

 

[anonymous]

Dear Anonymous,

I understand what you are going through too. I would love to talk to you. I teach Bible Study and am a spiritual counselor. I am married, female, with CF also. I have been there. Please email me at Kerrys81@hotmail.com and we can talk. I'm here for you, or just to listen.

In the meantime, just pray for clarity, even if you don't know who or what you are praying to. It will be ok.

Christian
P.s-I am a Bible teacher, but I'm a friend too. Don't worry, I'm not a pushy person. No pressure.

 

[Mockingbird]

I understand what you are going through. I know I felt the same way at one point. On this subject I like what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr>"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentance of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:8-11<hr></blockquote>

Paul certainly led an amazing life. =-)

As far as suffering within ourselves and the rest of the world, you can see where Paul said his suffering was so he would be humbled and depend on God. In the verses before that, Paul also said through suffering we are able to grow and are better to help and comfort others.

Like with Naomi in the book of Ruth. Naomi's husband died, and ten years later so did both of her sons. Naomi also felt denied by God. However, as we go through the story, we see how the role Naomi plays in the story of her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Not to mention, in the much greater picture, it is through Ruth's geneology that King David is born, and eventually Jesus as well! =-) Of course, Naomi wouldn't have known that would happen, since Kind David was still ten generations down the line, and Jesus even further.

Basically the thing I've learned with suffering is to just have faith God knows what he is doing. Which is also what the Book of Job is about. I'm not saying God works in mysterious ways, because he doesn't. It may feel that way to us, but really God simply sees the bigger picture, and if we could see the bigger picture as well, we would find there wouldn't be anything mysterious about it. =-)

 

[anonymous]

Thank you anonymous and Mockingbird. Both posts were encouraging. I may private message you later on, Mockingbird. Thank you both so much.

 

[anonymous]

I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through.

And you are right. I do not understand your pain. I do not have CF. So I may not be able to assist you but I lost many buddies with CF. Most of them believe in Jesus.

I used to volunteer at Children's Hospital. I got very close with patients with CF. I don't live in US anymore, but I flew back last year for my best budy's funeral.

But my friend believed God because he was able to accept what he was going through. You seem like a very kind person that care about people. Even though you have CF, you concern about "people suffer". I wonder if that makes any different if you didn't have CF.

Almost all the people with CF I've encountered have beautiful pure heart. Isn't it because they "suffer"; that they are able to show "mercy" to other people?

I ask whys about people suffer, too. But I believe we will never get the answere till we meet Him. I don't think I was any help to you, but I believe you posted because God is touching your heart. There is nothing I can do, but I pray for you. And may I also pray for you now?

Dear, Lord.
Thank you for letting me come to this website. I believe you gave me the chance to take a look at this site for a reason. Lord, please give Anonymous the answere to the question - have people come visit this website or vist Anonymous in person. And pray that Anonymous will find peace in you.

 

[anonymous]

There is no god.

Focus on yourself and your life, not on deluding yourself with dreams of some better place, or some better being that will take care of you, later, after your dead.

Life is hard, life with cf is harder. Distracting yourself by chasing after some sort god will only waste your time and energy.

Life is also good and beautiful and pleasurable, find that and live it.

 

[JazzysMom]

I dont agree with this. I am not overly religious & dont like it pushed on me. I even squirm at reading some of the posts from the more faithful people, but I would never dream of disrespecting their beliefs especially under the "Religion" topic. If it works for them I say go for it just like I would hope others respect my lack of need of such!

 

[Mockingbird]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br> Distracting yourself by chasing after some sort god will only waste your time and energy.<hr></blockquote>

How do you know? =-) Don't knock it until you've tried it. Living a life without God, now that's a waste of time and energy.

"What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.
The wind blows to the south and turns to the north;
round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
All things are wearisome, more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"?
It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
There is no rememberance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow." Ecclesiastes 1:3-11


If someone wishes to come on here and bash faith in God, then very well, but they will not be able to accomplish anything at all.

 

[luke]

Anonymous,

I was where you are as well. I used to openly preach that there was no god. I would debate it with anyone willing to listen. The odd part was I was raised in church and was saved when I was young. After years of one miserable problem after another I guess I just gave up on him. Then I met my wife...she had been my best friend at the hospital I worked at we talked about almost everything, the one exception was god. She knew she didn't want to argue with me so she just left well enough alone. Then my life changed forever, I finally got divorced from my ex-wife and was "available". We went out a couple times but she made it abundantly clear that she could never be with someone who didn't believe in God. She very clearly stated she didn't want to spend her entire life loving someone that she couldn?t spend eternity with. So one very scary day I went back to church. I knew many people there and they all knew I preached atheism in the past, I really felt like a hypocrite and did for quite some time. Then one day while sitting in church I felt overcome with the Lord and knew this is what my life was missing. Like the protical son, I had returned and like a good parent he was welcomeed me with open arms. While driving home still overcome with this "feeling" I remember sobbing to my wife (girlfriend then) about how grateful I was for her leading me back to god. Since then I have had my trials and tribulations but can say this last 5 years with my wife and Jesus by my side have been the happiest and most prosperous I have ever experienced. I encourage you to find a church where you feel comfortable to learn about the bible and put your trust in that book. I really feel churches and are like shoes, try them on until you feel the one that fits you.

The lord works in mysterious ways that we can not understand?I am proof. I wish you well in your search for salvation.



Luke

 

[miesl]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Mockingbird</b></i>
Don't knock it until you've tried it. Living a life without God, now that's a waste of time and energy.

*snip*

If someone wishes to come on here and bash faith in God, then very well, but they will not be able to accomplish anything at all.<hr></blockquote>
Hey now. Not all the atheists on the boards are going into the Christian posts and "knocking it." I agree that the anon was out of line, but you could show just a smidgen of respect for the rest of us (isn't that what Christianity is supposed to teach?). Also note that some of us *have* tried it, and you just gave us free reign to "knock it." (I don't plan on using it)

Plus, I don't think that Christians should be assuming that the Religion topic gives them free reign to bash/ignore/whatever posts that aren't directed at the Christian god. As we well know... there are many religions (and lack there ofs) that should have equal opportunity to post here. It's just that the forum has given us a location to talk about this where people know to expect (and shouldn't get offended by) religious discussions.

 

[Mockingbird]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>miesl</b></i><br><blockquote> It's just that the forum has given us a location to talk about this where people know to expect (and shouldn't get offended by) religious discussions.<hr></blockquote>


You are the only offended person I see here. If me posting scripture offends you, then you should not read a thread that is Christian. Likewise, if someone wants to start a thread that is atheist or whatever else, then i will not post on it.

If you think I was diercting my response at atheism, then you were wrong. I was simply contradicting what they said and backing that up with scipture for anyone (including the original poster) who may be having problems with their faith. To be honest, I really didn't expect the anonymous poster to be coming back, nor did I expect any other atheists to be reading this thread since it has nothing to do with them.

If I did in fact offend you with my statement, then I am sorry. Once again, my intention was not toward atheism, but toward those who may be seeking faith.

In the future, if you wish to call me out on anything else like this, then I would ask that you either start your own thread or contact me privately.

 

[Allie]

Anonymous, I find that when people often feel God has failed them, they mean Christianity has failed them. There are other religions out there, and perhaps you should look into exploring some of them. I'm not evangelical in any sense of the word, but many of the people I talk to who don't agree with religion have few problems with mine. I had a compliment from an athiest the other day saying Judaism was one of the first religions that didn't seem entirely backwards to her.

If you feel the need to post on a thred such as this, anonymously, obviously you are defensive about people believing in God. Which tells me maybe you just have had bad experiences. But don't give up the ghost entirely just because you haven't explored other avenues of faith. If you feel Christianity has failed, perhaps you shouldn't go there. There are other ways of seeking God.., and not just Judaism either. Often faith gives people strength, and if someone feels that, you shouldn't be trying to take it away if they're hurting no one else.

Just think about it a little. Explore less common things before you give up entirely.

 

[JazzysMom]

I hope this controversy stops here. We have a religion section to avoid these problems. Cant we all just get along?! <img src="i/expressions/angel_ani.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/angel.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

I agree.
Wasn't this post to encourage this person in the first place?


however, I do respect anyone's right to voice their opinions, but this particular thread is not the place. come on guys, have your disagreement somewhere else. She needs encouragement when she checks her thread, not this.

christian

 

[anonymous]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<img src="i/expressions/angel.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

I believe that God sent us here to learn and to grow and when he did that he also gave us free agency. In doing so he allowed others to choose the direction their life would take. Sometimes their life ends up hurting others.

I also believe that each of us knew what we would face before we came here. God needed everyone to face trials to become stronger individuals. I don't see my disease as something I was afflicted with. It was something I accepted as my burden and challenge. I am strong and determined and I have seen the good my disease has brought out in others. My family is close and loving knowing that life could end suddenly and that we need to appreciate each day. I wouldn't have that if it weren't for CF.

Katie