Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"Where Were You, God?"
HiTech RedNeck | 5/19/2013 | HiTech RedNeck

Posted on 05/19/2013 12:21:32 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck

Edited on 05/25/2013 2:44:13 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

"Where were You, God?" The question arises daily as news of tragedies abound, and even from time to time as the tragedy involves ourselves. Servicemen die in a bungled military defense operation that should have been a cake walk, and no government official has credible answers. A son is shot dead in his prime by a wanton criminal. A wife dies decades too soon from a deadly disease. A busy mother dies unexpectedly from a sudden heart attack. Maybe you were emotionally abused when a child and have been saddled with a destructive habit that you acquired in an effort to escape from the torment by the only means you knew, and prayer -- once you realized you were in a trap -- seemed scant help or comfort. In these myriad situations the bitter questions often arise: "Oh Lord, where were You? Dear God, why did You roll over for this? Almighty Father, I've always heard that you are righteous and omnipotent, so why did You not act when it would have been so simple for You to stop it from happening? Oh, the heart-rending woe! Why did You lose, God?"

This is not a modern question, and it was not discovered by modern atheists, agnostics, or freethinkers. It arose many thousands of years ago to a man named Job (pronounced with a long "o") who kept a tender conscience towards God about what he did, and as a result displayed a very upright life, and was blessed with a large, loving family and many earthly riches. And yet without warning this man's world came crashing down upon him. It began with the destruction and theft of his great riches, and was topped by the loss of most of the lives of his dear family. Then, the trouble soon escalated with an inexplicable illness that covered him with sores. His wife, in an apparent hint that God was fickle and undeserving of love, in great disgust told him to curse God and die. His friends, who initially wisely comforted him in silence, then began to lecture him sarcastically about how he must have done something terribly wrong to provoke God's wrath, and his agony grew as a heated argument erupted and Job insisted he had done nothing to deserve the tragedy. Finally a wiser friend suggested that Job look to God's sovereignty, and then God answered Job from a whirlwind, challenging the limitations of Job's knowledge about what God can do. With a deeper appreciation of God's capabilities, Job stopped complaining, and soon God blessed Job twice as much as he had been blessed before.

There is a simple enough answer to the question, at least to the mind: by allowing the world and even our selves to fail so dramatically at times, God highlights His capacity to save, a faith in which we sometimes are sorely lacking, and even if we know it in our heads, our hearts are slower and lag behind that and need to be taught. For God is not merely solving complex intellectual problems. He is solving problems that encompass our entire beings that He has created and bestowed with capabilities that are an image of His own.


TOPICS: Theology
KEYWORDS: vanity
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420421-432 last
To: PieterCasparzen

“It is rather arrogant to think that the Creator of heaven and earth would not be sovereign over his creation, to do with according to his own will. For what is built, the design and workmanship are up to the builder.”

Was a very hard lesson for me to learn especially as an American when we do not bend the knee to anyone...man has always thought he controlled his own destiny...not so and it’s very hard to give up that idea and submit...even if it is to God....just not human nature to do it.


421 posted on 08/04/2013 7:43:08 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: ImaGraftedBranch

“Once you get a hold on the fact that this is not about YOU, it will start to make some sense. Live for Him, and. Seek to do His will.”

Agreed, and oh so hard to do.


422 posted on 08/04/2013 8:02:03 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears

I have some of the same issues with endrocrine/adrenal that you seem to have. Menopause really drove this home to me when I could not even get out of the bed.....this after a lifetime of barely being able to pull myself out of bed....major fatigue all my life.

Did a bit of research and found Safe Uses of Cortisol by William McK. Jefferies.

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Uses-Cortisol-William-Jefferies/dp/0398075018

Cortisol has given me a big energy boost but I recommend saliva testing before taking it. Ask your doctor about it. I also recommend juicing as in the movie “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.” I have begun doing this and feel so much better...a raw fruit and veggie only diet is the best way to go for people like us...juicing will heal the adrenals and they are the source of the fatigue. Heal them and heal everything else.

Do some research and don’t take anything you’ve got lying down. God gave you a brain so use it, use it, use it.

Best,
jodyel


423 posted on 08/04/2013 8:12:34 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: roamer_1

Possibly Guillain–Barré syndrome, roamer? Sounds like what my brother-in-law had. Affects diff people to a diff degree. Check it out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain%E2%80%93Barr%C3%A9_syndrome


424 posted on 08/04/2013 8:29:36 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: Greetings_Puny_Humans

“It is an incredible thing to witness the hand of God on your life, an answer to prayer so powerful that it cannot be denied.”

Indeed! Amen.


425 posted on 08/04/2013 8:35:01 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 195 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears

http://www.intouch.org/you/article-archive/content/topic/In_Times_of_Despair_article

Dear wastedyears,

I encourage you to search this site and read and listen to anything that pertains to you.

Also, have you actually committed your life to Christ by surrendering to Him and asking Him to come and live in your heart?

Best,
jodyel


426 posted on 08/04/2013 8:49:30 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 223 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Heal the adrenals and heal everything else.


427 posted on 08/04/2013 9:04:03 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 295 | View Replies]

To: boatbums

Have you looked into healing your adrenals, boat? Heal them and the thyroid will follow.


428 posted on 08/04/2013 9:07:08 PM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 316 | View Replies]

To: jodyel
Was a very hard lesson for me to learn especially as an American when we do not bend the knee to anyone...man has always thought he controlled his own destiny...not so and it’s very hard to give up that idea and submit...even if it is to God....just not human nature to do it.

The Bible tells Christians that they should bow the knee to Christ, and increasingly live in such a way, and, that by God's Grace, the true believer will find themselves on just such a lifelong journey (one that they could not make if left entirely to their own devices), that is, one of progressive sanctification. Of course, due to original sin, we are born into sin and stubbornly resist and defy God; it is only upon men's hearing the Word of God (the Bible), that the Holy Spirit of God draws them to him - as he chooses them according to his sovereign will.

I like the Book of Job and Book of Ecclesiasties, as well as the Psalms for what they teach regarding the smallness of man and the greatness of God.

Especially Job 26. At that link you can click on "Show Resources" and see the Reformation Study Bible notes and Matthew Henry's Commentary. I find verse 7 to be astonishing, especially considering the possible date range of the writing of the book.

Much of the Old Testament deals with our utter weakness and dependence on God, which, of course, makes our rejection of God all the more deplorable.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Ezekiel 30:6
Thus saith the Lord; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord God.

Hosea 5:5
And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah also shall fall with them.

1 Timothy 3:6
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Also, of course, essential for study of the topic, Ecclesiastes 9.
429 posted on 08/04/2013 9:24:49 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 421 | View Replies]

To: jodyel

Thx... Symptoms are there.. I will have my doc check it out...

But I am getting much better now - I will take the healing over the doctors anytime. ; )


430 posted on 08/04/2013 10:48:44 PM PDT by roamer_1 (Globalism is just socialism in a business suit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 424 | View Replies]

To: jodyel

The endocrinologist I was seeing at the time wanted me to have that tested, but I kept insisting that with the parathyroid levels I had, I’d rather stick to that, and have that level plus my calcium taken regularly.

Is there any way to get it OTC, or would I need a prescription? I’ve had adverse effects to very few things, so I tend to just pick something up and use it. Though, I do know that I don’t want to take so much that I’m shaking for hours, the body not knowing what to do while my brain is still slow like Eeyore.


431 posted on 08/05/2013 1:58:38 AM PDT by wastedyears (One nation, under wub. Saints Row IV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 423 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears

Sent you a private reply, wastedyears.


432 posted on 08/05/2013 9:59:29 AM PDT by jodyel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 431 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420421-432 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson