Losing my faith?

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about all of these circumstances! I totally understand why you feel this way. It is ok to be angry with God sometimes...I've even screamed at Him in my car. I know that sounds terrible, but we are only human and we have emotions. I came to the conclusion that He is not necessarily bringing all of these bad circumstances upon us. We live in a fallen world and He is not the only force at work here. Not that He couldn't change it, but this isn't heaven! He is here for us to run to though when we need help. I read that God did not take everything away from Job, satan did - he wanted to prove that he could get Job to turn away from God. God said go ahead, try it, he wont turn away. I do not think God is "testing" you, that is not the kind of God he is...he may be working on us but not "testing"...He isn't mean like that, He is here to help.

I stumbled upon this book "90 Minutes in Heaven" when I was waiting at an airport two weeks ago. It is about a man who was clinically dead for 90 min. It really stuck with me...the idea that we are passing through here on our way somewhere WAY better. The "dead" man was surrounded by his family and friends when he got to heaven...and it sounded so great. Sorry I'm rambling, but I know at least a little bit of how you feel and struggle with similar feelings sometimes. I know lots of people on here will think my answer is crazy, but I do believe in God, and He is a good God. Another book that helped, "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado. Hope this helps, and know that God does love you and has great plans for you! I will keep you in my prayers.

You have my sympathy for your past losses and the hard time that you have now, and unfortunately probably have ahead of you.

Praying, however, will do no good at all. Multiple studies have shown that it has no effect on the outcome, other than a placebo effect. You would be much better off spending that time reading up on the type of cancer that your mother has so that you can make better informed decisions and ask the doctors the right questions.

If it gives you mother comfort to pray, or it helps her stay calm then those are good things. If it does not then try to help her have as positive an attitude as possible and/or learn to meditate. These will have exactly the same effect as praying.

God has not failed you because there is no god out there. Just a uncaring universe where good and bad things happen at random. This can be seen as a rather bleak view on life, but it is the reality of the universe, as far as anyone can actually see, and provides a better explanation of events than any deity that goes an makes his creations suffer for no good reason. (Rev Kip would have you read Job, where God makes Job suffer dreadfully for what is basically a dare. How loving.)

The important thing is to make your and your mother's lives as enjoyable as possible, whether that ends up being for a relatively short period, or hopefully a longer one.

Most importantly,I really hope things get better for you those around you,

God was invented, partly, to be a comfort that theoretically anyone can turn to, and it is apparent this belief does comfort true believers in day to day life.

It seems pretty plain to me that God is simply a human projection, and when circumstances makes one doubt, if not his existence, then at least his good will towards you and your loved ones then you probably see things more clearly.

It is also true that if you retain a belief despite all adversity, then your belief is likely to be strengthened, as you would have a bigger stake in still believing, and let nothing take it away from you.

A Christian God is in not the only way to be connected with things spiritual, and feel at one with the world, many would say a hindrance.

Why not look at other ways of negotiating the trials of life, Buddhism, for example.

(I am not a Buddhist, but notice they are often very serene people).

Best wishes

Sometimes it takes a shocking life event to make a person re-evaluate how God/faith, etc. figures in their lives.

In my case, a couple significant deaths and one long-term relationship were lost to me despite the most fervent prayers I could manage. It didn't turn me into an atheist, it just changed the way I thought about God, whom I don't think can be appealed to through prayer.

I'm not advising abandoning your faith, but I am advising taking your comforts and strengths from other sources as well, and it will help you. Family and friends are great for that. I hope all goes well for your mom. Be there for each other.

God doesn't need us.He can live without us. We need God. Disease is caused by sin(Adam and Eve's sin). Think only that Jesus Christ, who was the Son of God, suffered much more than anybody who ever existed, and He still kept his faith in the Father. We cannot blame God for all the wrongs in the world. When Adam and Eve chose to eat that apple they knew what were the implications. God cannot retract his words. It was a sin and we all must pay for it no matter what. God can save your mother if He wants to, but if He doesn't want that He cannot be blamed for that. Stop blaming God for all the wrongs, pray with faith that He can and will help you, and good things will come.

I went through the same things, and I had and still have so many questions. Of course lots of people gave me advise and even scripture, some said it was my mothers fault for not believing more, maybe she wasn't a good christian,( my mother was amazing!) Anyway I was so confused (confusion does not come from God) Honestly the best answer I got was when a stranger said to me " sometimes there just are not any answers" Only thing I can say is try not to over Analise, and the only thing I do know is that God loves you.

Deeply sorry to hear about you mom, I think if you are depending on God to heal your mom or your prayers to be answered you are thinking foolish thoughts. Way back I remember filling a lot body bags with men that thought God was on their side in Vietnam. To me it is very sad what Christianity and government has taken the minds of good people and put them into a dream world of delusional thought. I would get the best scientific doctors for you mom to fight for her recovery.

i'm sorry things are so tough for you at the moment. perhaps you would allow some of us to pray for you and your family? i will certainly pray for your mother.

i wish i could say this or that is the reason that God allows such things to happen, but the truth is i don't really understand. when i have been through a crisis in the past, i go through the anger and the blaming and don't usually see the significance of the events until much later when i am able to thread all the pieces together and come to some sort of an understanding. all i know is that i have to trust that the path i have chosen is the right one for me.

surround yourself with good friends and allow them to share your burden, if you can. my heart goes out to you. take good care of yourself.

Oh I am so sorry for you. You are right that you are angry and it is easy to blame someone anyone when you are hurt even if it is God. He knows you don't mean it and he knows you are trying to deal with it.

God does not allow bad things to happen to us but he is there to pick us up and comfort us when they do. It is easy to look at all the bad things in this lifetime and not look or realize all the good. Sometimes we forget our blessings because of our own disappointments. God would never wish bad things upon you or your family or even your enemies. He is a loving God. It easy to ask why God?

I am sorry and not sure what I can do to help you. Maybe visit your pastor and express your concerns and worries.

Remember the Footprints in the Sand. God does not leave us during our trials he carries us. I believe that will all my heart.

Don't give up on your faith in God. It is the only sure thing you have in this world.

When you decide to pray to God, share your frustrations with him and your anger. Let it all out and just pray until you feel you can't lift yourself up from your knees. Pray with a completely open heart to God and be honest with him. I know if you do this you will find comfort from him before you are done.

Email me if you need to talk.

I will be praying for you and your family.

Why blame God for what is natural? There are so many toxins in our environment that WE made, largely because we have become so self absorbed we think we are better than the Almighty.

It's perfectly OK to "yell" at God. Rant away!

You know, doctors told my step sister she could not concieve. She had two sons via test tubes and fertility injections. When she was satisfied with her two boys - OOPS along comes baby number three. A little girl. All natural.