It's not like growing up we were so religious. I was exposed to & taught about religion, but I never had hardcore faith in the divine. As I've gotten older I have felt like there HAS to be something bigger. Something of a puppeteer controlling the strings of life. A God. Someone I turn to and ask to guide me. Someone I pray to for a good outcome. "It" can't just end with us (humans).
Now however, I'm not so sure. I feel like so many things in my life is a constant struggle. A constant struggle. It often feels as though we're trying & trying so hard to swim up river. That the universe or powers that be just refuse to cooperate to allow an easy passage. And I have often heard that God wouldn't give me more than I can handle. But does handling things have to come at such a consistently high price? Would a God really want to push a person so far that she gives up faith that there is more?
So I've been feeling like I'm in a kind of purgatory. Feeling like I need to believe that there is more, but also feeling almost like there's really not much to believe in.
We are Christians, basically Baptist if you want to give it a name, but we don't call ourselves Baptist, because we are really just fundamental, Bible believing Christians, if that makes sense. I don't like the saying that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. That saying comes from the verse: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." If you take the verse out of context, and ignore the last part, it does say he won't tempt you above what you are able. But if you go on, it says, He will give a way to escape that you will be able to bear it. I don't think God sits on a throne inflicting pain and misfortune on people. Those things are just part of life. Death, sickness, heartache, they are all a part of life. But in God, there is a way to "escape". God wants me to turn to Him in times of heartache and trouble. Sorry to go off on that, but it hits close to home for me, because I am constantly reminding myself of that.
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to have faith sometime. But I know you are a strong person who will come to her own conclusions and beliefs in time.
ReplyDeleteHere's a little love: http://simmworksfamily.blogspot.com/2012/01/versatile-blogger.html
Hi, I am sorry to hear this. I hate that saying about God giving more that we can handle. It is not true and is not something God promises to us. I am not overly knowledgeable or anything, but I do feel like there has to be something that created all of this. Something amazing, despite the muck and struggles. It is hard sometimes so I just pray for my peace and understanding...I pray that for you, too. To get through your valley.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you. I am catholic and I have been experiencing some serious trails lately, too but I also have experienced the love of God through my children, family, creation, and my faith. Because I go to church on Sundays it has helped to keep my feet on the ground when the storms are coming.If I didn't do this weekly exercise of praise I would probably lose my faith. I like the passage of Jesus calming the storm in the boat when his disciples were afraid they would drowned. There is a God who revealed Himself to us and he himself took on flesh and a heavy cros. The Catholic faith teaches our crosses can be offered up with His to make reparation (repairs in the world for what is lacking in the mystical body of Christ( the church) Suffering actually has value attatched to it in the spiritual sense. I willpray for you, please pray for me.
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