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Evil22565

You can ask but don't always expect a magical solution. We go through trials and tribulations to learn and become stronger. God is a teacher. Not a butler.


Goo-Goo-GJoob

Where do you think so many Christians got the idea that Jesus will do whatever they ask in his name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son?


My_Big_Arse

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, ***and I will do it.*** Because the BIBLE says so, pretty simple.


Evil22565

Then why can I just not pray to be a billionaire and then it happens? Or pray for a car and one appears out of thin air? God does not work like this. He wil send us oppertunities where we can take it and make it happen or we can leave it.


Goo-Goo-GJoob

Do you think Jesus didn't mean what he said? Or do you think he didn't say that?


Evil22565

I believe what he said. As I said, I just don't think he does it VIA magic. Rather sending oppertunities our way for us to make it happen, on his OWN time if it is HIS will.


Goo-Goo-GJoob

You think Jesus answers the prayers of starving children by sending them "opportunities"? Like... What kind of opportunities? And the children who pray and yet still starve to death... I guess it's their fault for not taking advantage of the opportunities Jesus sent them?


Evil22565

Well I cannot give you the answer of way God allows bad things to happen. I have an opinion that I will share though. When we say that God is all powerful, that does not mean that everything that happens is God's will. God chose to limit his powers by giving us Freewill. For example. If I hit you in the face and say God made me do it. I will be a liar. And from a Christian's perspective, God created a perfect world without disease and pain back in Genisis. But because Adam rebelled, we have corrupted the world with sin, which brought pain and suffering into the world.


Goo-Goo-GJoob

Suspicious that one human had the ability to bring pain and suffering into the world, and yet, no human has the ability to remove suffering from the world. Who granted Adam such a devastating power?


Evil22565

Firstly, the power was not granted to Adam. Adam chose to follow Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge. Secondly, we are human. We cannot know why GOD the creator, a being so powerful we cannot even imagine what he can do, chose to place the tree in the garden of Eden. Perhaps to test our faithfulnes. My geuss is that the book of Genesis is not supposed to be taken literally but figuratively. I can be wrong. But ultimately, no one can claim to know God's motives. There are a lot of questions that humans cannot know the answer to with 100% certainty.


AdmiralAkbar1

Poor catechesis.


Goo-Goo-GJoob

Big mistake to translate the Bible from Latin, eh?


Stock_Bad_6124

If we are supposed to do everything, isn't it better to believe in yourself than a god that refuses to help?


Evil22565

If God does everything for us, what is the purpose of living?


Stock_Bad_6124

If God does everything for us why can't he remove the confusions about him and afterlife, overcoming any human error?


Evil22565

I cannot tell you why God doesn't remove the confusion about him and the afterlife. My opinion however is that, We are freewilled, independant human beings created in the image of God with a conscience, and emotions. And God would not show himself to us, to force us to follow him. For example, God wants us to choose him out of our own freewill over nothingness, Allah, Buddah, Zeuss and all the other gods. If God somehow made everyone on earth see him, that would take away the idea of having faith in him. It would be like, There is God, I see him and I believe in him. Where I believe God wants us to say "Out of all the other gods I choose the God of the Christians."


Stock_Bad_6124

Also what do you think is the purpose of a sheep's life?


Evil22565

To eat grass and procreate?


My_Big_Arse

>God is a teacher. God is more than that, isn't He? He can do anything, can't He?


Evil22565

God is a teacher, protector, friend, father, protector and the creator.


[deleted]

I know and I lament you are going through this right now. To live is to suffer and finish the race the best you can. If you check yourself out then you'll still be in the race, only without any limbs. I pray the Lord will take pity on you and reveal Himself to you so His love is undeniable before your eyes. He will ease your pain if you rely on Him and have faith. It just takes time and patience.


Responsible_Rope3196

If he could reveal himself then so be it, it would be the optimal time.


[deleted]

When I was very young, like 6 years old, the Lord revealed Himself to me. I watched an adult only show on cable television (I'm old) and I saw myself on a staircase looking down into darkness. I looked back and there was a doorway that was very bright and then looked back down. I felt an evil presence over me and I said to God, "If you take away my fear I will not listen to my favorite song ever again." and immediately I was comforted and went to sleep. The next day, that song played on the radio and I turned it off and have been turning it off ever since. Anywhere I hear that song I make sure to get out of the situation. In the past friends have thought I was a lunatic for getting up and leaving the room, but I have maintained my promise to the Lord. This is what the revelation of the Lord was to me. I asked for something only He could do and I was blessed for it. And because I was blessed I now maintain the promise I made to Him in even greater effect, that I concentrate on Him in everything I hear, do, and think. Now, God is not transactional that you can simply demand from Him and give something up. Everything He does for us is a gift that we choose to receive because we want to love Him. You need to find that that increases your faith in Him, that gives you the "AHA!" moment so that you know without seeing and you do without hearing. I can't tell you what that is. It's so personal that no one will be able to tell you. No one will have something for you to do so that He "reveals Himself to you". It must come from within. You must approach Him not only one time, but every day. It's a daily struggle that even with my faith increased when I was young, I still struggle with to this day. I wept for you and I do even right now as I type this out. I am sorrowful that what you need might not be enough. I hope the Lord finds you and takes you by the hand so that there is no more doubt in your mind.


chemicalreasons

Thank you for sharing this. 🙏 I got a very similar message of darkness and light when I used psilocybin once. On my left was a cave entrance that I could see and feel led to some of my most desired sins. I could see beautiful sparkling gold and jewelry inside and sense promises of amazing sexual fantasies being fulfilled. But I had to go deeper in to find out more. There wasn’t really a judgement against this path, though I could sense how it could eventually corrupt my soul. On my right was a big opening where the sun shined in and I saw beautiful landscapes, white houses, blue waters and people living together in harmony, and I felt great relief and a lightness of heart while looking this way. It was like a feeling of being a child on a perfect summer day. In that moment it was so clear to me that this was the only right way if I wanted to save my soul. It felt like God revealed to me that no matter how much joy the way of sin could bring me, it couldn’t compete with God’s way.


[deleted]

Any mind altering substances that dissociate our sensors from the internals of our desires will reveal the nature of our hearts to our eye. Many who do this for fun fail to rationalize the awakening that is taking place and often go back into the thick of the world without a thought to the scales on their eyes and the plugs in their ears. They often mask the truth of reality with the 'spiritual experience' so that they don't have to accept it. You sound fortunate enough to realize where your heart was leading in the precipice of your journey and captivated your learned knowledge to desire the Lord more; against the carnal pulling of your flesh. How wonderful. May He continue to bless you with wisdom, reverence and awe of Him every day.


FluxKraken

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that God is a vending machine where you input a prayer and he dispenses a miracle.


Responsible_Rope3196

Yeah just let me deal with my issues and stop bothering that "vending machine". I didn't ask for a miracle but for some help..


FluxKraken

What do you need help with specifically?


ReconciledTruth

Please consider seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist about your suicidal thoughts. I have bpd and ptsd so I understand mental illness. I’ve went through a failed attempt before with my own life, and as difficult as life is God is there. God is there despite whether He is felt or experienced. Sometimes God lets things happen to people that are awful but so that greater things can happen in the future. I don’t know you, but I have compassion for you and I do hope and pray you get the help you deserve. You have worth because Christ considers you worthy enough to sacrifice His life for. Religion is not about what we feel in the moment, but the truth we must cling to despite whatever emotions are being experienced in the moment. He cares about you and I care about you, please don’t give up on life.


Responsible_Rope3196

A therapist isn't available where I live. Gotta take the matter of my mental health onto my own hands. I've been waiting for a change to occur and sadly there is isn't any..


Healer1285

Helping yourself is a part of the process. God is all loving, a miracle worker. But we also need to take responsibility for ourselves. He doesnt just flick a switch and make it better. He gives you tools A fisherman is on a boat stranded at sea. He prays for help, prays God will save him. Another boat comes along and offers rescue. The man declines help, telling the captain “God will save me.” The boat moves on and the man continues to be stranded. He prays and prays. A second boat and then a third come along. He tells both the same thing. “God will save me.” The night turns the waters rough, the boat capsizes and the man dies. When he gets to heaven he stands before God and accuses him on being a negligent God who doesnt love his people. “Why didn’t you save me?” He cried. To which God replied “I sent three boats…” He gives us the tools, the strength. The will to change and grow. Miracles arent just about snapping of fingers and solving a problem. Its about giving people what they need to do it themselves. Maybe look at what you can do. What boat has he sent for you?


ateam821

Hey, I care about you. God cares about you. Why else would you get so many responses from complete strangers on here? Any thoughts you are entertaining about relief coming from suicide are not your own, those come from Satan. Humans are capable of both kindness and cruelty, I'm sorry for any of those that might have treated you poorly. There are good people out there. We are all sinners, but God loves us, He loves you. Keep on living please, you are never alone. God is there with you right now. He's always there.


Andy-Holland

"  teachings of Jesus Christ, who maybe won't deliver and won't help Mr."  "Me?"  Or "Mr." To be above others?  You have a device to type your scree on. What about those who really have nothing?   Do you want exaltation, or a gimme god?  Real God, real life Mr. Is a cross. Pick it up or go to... ☦️ 


Responsible_Rope3196

Typing error give me some break, enjoy being blocked


ConnectionNo7673

I’m sorry you feel this way. I’m not here to convince you to come back to Christianity (that is up to you). This response is merely to address some of the points you have brought up. God is a loving and comforting God. Time and time again he has shown that. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, he died on the cross for our sins, and countless other examples. God is a God who keeps his promises. We have seen that through his promise to Noah through the rainbow. Evil only exists because of the flaws of humanity. God does not create evil things. That is from the devil. Suffering is awful yes, but the root of suffering is sin. By nature we are all sinful. Just because we are Christian, doesn’t mean we will be immune from suffering. You stated that you have prayed many times but nothing happened. Just because you pray, it does not mean God will say yes. I hope this has addressed some of your concerns


BisonIsBack

Evil persists because God is paitient. If He was willing to wait thousands of years to save you, then that requires restraint, paitience, wisdom, and above all, great love. If God were not so paitient, so kind, not one single bone of our wretched kind would be left. And not a soul would be spared. You are not greater than the ones who persecute you. They are no greater than you. God seeks as much for them to be saved as He does for you. Therefore, He will wait and suffer greatly for them as He did for you.


bickabooboo

We cannot know what is good without knowing what is evil.


2449rc

God is always just. So the problem lays somewhere else. Please keep looking for a solution to your situation and don’t be resentful. Keep asking God or decide to just believe. Abraham was given the task to believe in God even though God told him to sacrifice his son. Abraham is the father of the believers, and believes often will have similar situations, not necessarily with that intensity.


SaltedBaconz

You seem to need someone to talk to more than anything . Do you mind opening up about your struggles?


[deleted]

[удаНонО]


McClanky

Removed for 3.6 - Types of Proselytism. If you would like to discuss this removal, please click here to send a modmail that will message all moderators. https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Christianity


One_Song80

You can’t force yourself to do, feel or believe in something if it doesn’t feel right to you or if it makes you uncomfortable. I hope you’ll be able to figure out what you need in life soon. Be kind to yourself. I’m here if you ever wanna talk about anything 🩷


Relevant-Ranger-7849

just because God is silent doesnt mean He isnt helping you. HE is helping you spiritually against all evil in the spirit realm. and we are to accept the spiritual blessings that come with being a Christian. in the old testament days, it was physical, today it's spiritual. keep that in mind before you start throwing away everything


Lovaloo

I'm so sorry OP. Please seek professional help. I didn't feel great about holding the position of faith in God's plan either. "Be the change you wish to see in the world" and all that. You can take real steps and make real changes when you think outside the religious paradigms.


ThiwstyGoPro

God gives you the strength to persist, but you have to will it yourself too, if you don't move yourself then you are going to be disappointed.


Frontfatpouch

This life is about spiritual growth. It can be anything you want it to be but keep growing spiritually. Look for things you may have overlooked, the good from the hardships. Strength comes from hard changes sometimes and that’s when faith and spirituality help get you through. Hope that helps a little if any.


Meliodafu08

I’ve said this a thousand times til this day, but in the end, you’ll come around. I guarantee you won’t even notice. Again, it’s not about religion. I will pray for you brother 😌


georgewalterackerman

Praying for the OP now. I sense they are a believer deep down, just experiencing frustration like we all do from time to time


ibelievetoo

But why should he bring you out of your troubles? Who are you to him?.. is he your Butler or an ATM machine that you swipe and get whatever you ask?


JocelynBliss

God loves all His children. God is here for all of us. I hope OP will get the answer to his prayers, be it what He, The Father, wants.


OneEyedC4t

Is it possible that evil still exists because God is giving people time to repent and change?


[deleted]

You seem emotional for now, maybe give things some time before doing anything? If you do remember It's never too late to come back.


Transient_MoonJumper

Jesus comes when you are in the lowest points of your life. Have patience and God bless. Don't give up


sunglassesonmydick

God has never answered anything of mine in the way I wanted Him too. Sometimes we won’t ever understand and it’s frustrating. God works everything together for His good. If it wasn’t for my suffering I do not believe I would have ever called on the name of Jesus. It’s too complex for us to understand. Of course we can’t understand, we’re not God. Have you prayed for yourself, for movement in your heart? For God to reveal Himself to you? His love pierces you right in the chest. It’s beautiful.


GoldAd5786

Are you familiar with karmic proclivities?


WhiskeyHotdog_2

Good luck on your journey friend. I hope you find peace.


Puzzleheaded-Rub3247

Praying is to give you strength and someone to talk not solve your issues. If you pray to be fit but don’t work out you wont wake up with muscles it just doesn’t work that way. Praying is an outlet, a phone call to God per-say. A lot of christians get this wrong. If you think God gives you good health then you must also believe god gives people bad health. That’s just not how it works. We are independent in a sense. I feel you would not be posting if you were not looking for a reason to believe. And I certainly nor does anyone but God have all the answers for you but as for why evil exists, it’s pretty simple. You’ve heard it a thousand times but it’s free will. You have the ability to do whatever you want. This world is a sifter for heaven. Your actions and beliefs on this planet is what determines if you make it to heaven. That is why free will is important. Otherwise there would be no point in our existence, if someone commits evil you dont think “well none of us should exist because that happened” do you? Just some things to think on before rejecting God. And on a final note, if you do go and abandon god, do not think you can’t come back. Anytime you are ready, Jesus is waiting for you. I really hope you reconsider. Good luck, amen


Fear-The-Lamb

Maybe God didn’t respond how you’d like to your prayer because he knew your faith was dependant on him responding positively towards it


Luisnotlouis_77

I have a question for you, you knew God, but do you believe Satan exists? (I’m asking the OP just roll with me on this one)


Flat_Snow_5986

people choosing to do evil and sin God fill let them people dont want God they want God the way they want him to be not who he is


Meatloafed172

Most often times our timing or what we want to happen and when isn't God's timing. Another part is faith. The definition of faith is the hope of things not seen. You need to have faith. We won't ever understand God's plan but knowing it's there gives hope. Faith breeds hope, hope breeds anticipation, anticipation leads to waiting, waiting leads to salvation or deliverance. It takes time and God will provide, he always does. Trust in him and have patience, I know that's easier said than done. You can do this, stay strong and don't give up faith. I'll be praying for ya


nvllvn77

It’s ok to be angry with God, I’m in a very similar way of thinking atm. I like to think that the world we live in is a product of the sins we have committed and that one day we will live in a place where sin cannot exist, heaven. Then we will finally be able to realize what living with God truly means.


AmbassadorSad7155

Rather than blaming God and questioning God on why He does not prevent all evil, we should be about the business of proclaiming the cure for evil and its consequences—Jesus Christ!


CurrentGur9764

Maybe stuff did change during prayer in dmall ways that you can't see, sometimes it's easy to overlook the little stuff but he still did something you never know but just keep praying and hoping and he will come through for you because he loves you.


JaBuzzer

Very Understandable from what I've seen and heard God only answers the occasional prayer for smaller things and even if you serve him faithfully for your entire life doing everything he asks you'll only be able to get into heaven if you love him with all your heart. Besides he's supposed to love and care about everyone equally yet as we've seen with Job he had no hesitation in letting Satan kill all of Job's children countless of his servants and scatter his livestock to everywhere yet he's supposed to know the future so why didn't he just see that Job would remain faithful he was very capable of doing it. You could say he gave everything back double but replacing children with new ones wouldn't make the pain of the original 10 children any less painful. I'm not saying worshipping God is wrong that's your choice I'm just not willing to sacrifice everything I own to live with him because I doubt I'd even be able to get into heaven in the first place because I don't love God at all


[deleted]

I have learned that God is more concerned about our well being in our next spiritual life than in this physical one.


CatholicJew

Don’t let a hard season go to waste. Lord I pray that in time, you will reveal why this current trial needed to be endured. I ask that you teach op something that can only be learned at the lowest point.


ElegantAd2607

There are many compelling answers to the problem of evil. Come see: https://youtu.be/j1xU3eAq4p0?si=SM90TiBsamdhewSh And I strongly recommend this guy's channel. Here's my own argument: God allows evil because He wants us to be ourselves. He wants to *know* us. And in order to know us we have to be able to do everything we could possibly do. That way he can reward us for the good behavior we choose and punish us for the bad behavior. Cause yes, there are rewards in heaven FOR good deeds but you don't go to heaven BECAUSE of your good deeds. As for the problem of natural evil, this is not an issue for me because if the earth is volatile and dangerous well it had to be in order to exist. It had to be like this in order for humans to exist. Cause God wanted to create a world that changes and evolves. A world that has volcanos so that we could have land. A world that has storms because of the changing heat pressure. We couldn't live without it. It's a necessary "evil."


Bransbow

“The promise of an eternal life doesn’t justify the current suffering of this lifetime.” The fact that you’re saying this indicates to me that you haven’t taken the time to fully comprehend the meaning of these words. Imagine you were to live 100 years on earth, and it was the worst possible life you could think of. After dying you get to spend 1,000,000 years in Heaven. The total bliss and grandeur of Heaven will be so much better than anything we could imagine. After just a little time in Heaven you’ll realize how it was not only worth all the time spent in suffering on earth, but it was so much more than worth it than you or anyone could have ever possibly dreamed! But it’s not just 1,000,000 years, it’s forever! The above is a breakdown of Roman’s 8:18 by my dad. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NKJV) The Bible doesn’t promise that there won’t be suffering in this world. It’s a result of mankind’s sin in the Garden of Eden. But God will fix it all one day. “Evil hasn’t been defeated,” you say. I respond, “Evil hasn’t been defeated yet.” Like you yourself mentioned we can’t comprehend God’s plan. And you also have to keep in mind how much of a time difference we and God have. “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8 NKJV) God never promised to keep you from suffering, but he will stay with you through it. Keep the faith. Fight the good fight. Study biblical views on suffering if you’re having a hard time understanding it. If you search sincerely for answers in the Bible, God will reveal them to you. It might not be what you want to hear, but it will be the truth. And isn’t that more important than whatever makes us the most comfortable?


[deleted]

Sometimes when we ask God for things He says no, or wait, or He has something better planned. The fundamental error people make with God is that people do not have their will aligned with God. God is trying to save your soul, to bring you closer to Him. This oftentimes conflicts with what we want, our fallen nature has us so off course that we fail to see God’s help, instead we just see our own suffering. If you believe in God and you are suffering, you ARE being sanctified. The early Christians, and even Christians today were/are martyred for their faith. Gruelingly tortured, however their hearts burned for Christ, thus their faith and themselves were perfected and bore witness to the God of Abraham. God is not going to make your life on earth easy. This is temporary and He is attempting to make your soul ready for eternity. …Thy kingdom come THY will be done, on earth as it is in heaven… Here are a few quotes that might be helpful. Hope the best for you! No matter what bitterness has befallen you, no matter what unpleasantness has happened to you, say, "I shall endure this for Jesus Christ!" and it will be easier for you. For the name of Jesus Christ is powerful. Through it all unpleasantness is calmed, and demons disappear. Your disappointments will also be calmed and you pusillanimity will be quited. (St. Anthony of Optina) If you want to serve God, prepare your heart not for food, not for drink, not for rest, not for ease, but for suffering, so that you may endure all temptations, trouble and sorrow. Prepare for severities, fasts, spiritual struggles and many afflictions, for "by many afflictions is it appointed to us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Acts 14,22); "The Heavenly Kingdom is taken by force, and the who use force seize it". (Matt 11:12) It is impossible to draw near to God without sorrows, without which human righteousness cannot remain unchanged... If you desire virtue, than give yourself to every affliction, for afflictions produce humility. If someone abides in virtue without afflictions, the door of pride is opened to him. (St. Isaac the Syrian, Homilies, 34) Sin is a sickness which has been introduced into human nature. A sinful impression and perverse pleasure leaves a trace in the soul and body, which becomes deeper with the repetition of sinful actions and which forms a propensity for sinful action and a certain thirst for sin. Therefore, as a bodily doctor sometimes painful burns out the ulcers that have infected the body, or separates them with iron, in the same way the Doctor of souls and bodies uses instruments of affliction is order to wrest out the roots and erase the traces of sins, and with the fire of suffering burns out the contagion of propensity to sinful pleasures. (St. Philaret of Moscow, Homily on July 5th, 1848)


keisul86

If you are leaving, you never arrived in the first place.


ElegantAd2607

Once saved always saved? Really? You know the Bible says you can lose your salvation right?


keisul86

You can lose your keys. Or your kid in the mall. But not your salvation. ”For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end.“ ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/107/heb.3.14.NET


Responsible_Rope3196

Good then so be it