Affliction / Suffering / Punishment

[lovetzatziki]

Is it possible to suffer affliction in your life for your own evil? Is all suffering justifiable? Personally I often feel I am suffering unjustly, and think there is no God to repay my affliction, more I see the ones who made me suffer unjustly being or feeling somehow blessed on it, feeling great, and looking like God has just rewarded them on it. More this gives them more and more courage against me.. I feel like the bible says "the say where is his(their) God" . I think the Scripture says come God and repay them lest they say "where is his God?" I feel like they feel there is no one to repay them, as also they don't quite believe in God probably the same way I do or at all. To them it is like also a confirmation that my God does not exist. That God is not with me, as they also know me as someone who is into this religious things. What shall it be to me?

[LizaSymonenko]

Don't worry about their "prosperity" and seeming rewards of others.  With prosperity comes additional responsibility.

God never promised us riches on earth.  In fact, He warned us that it would NOT be easy, but, the reward would be great.

There are some saints who bless those who ridicule and insult them, because it aids them in gaining humility.  It's hard to be humble when someone is making a fool of you....but, it's also very "freeing" not being concerned what others think, and having to please them.

You only have to please God.

Do not "react"...just be at peace.

[lovetzatziki]

Don't worry about their "prosperity" and seeming rewards of others.  With prosperity comes additional responsibility.

God never promised us riches on earth.  In fact, He warned us that it would NOT be easy, but, the reward would be great.

There are some saints who bless those who ridicule and insult them, because it aids them in gaining humility.  It's hard to be humble when someone is making a fool of you....but, it's also very "freeing" not being concerned what others think, and having to please them.

You only have to please God.

Do not "react"...just be at peace.

It is not about making a foul out of me, but trowing me in the pit, causing me actual harm, not just by words. I was not speaking as much about their prosperity but about their spiritual state. They seem like having spiritual content and euphoria after causing me purposely evil and injustice, alimenting my suffering more, while increasing their joy, having a state of joy and contention over it. It's totally effed up.. if u ask me.. It's like wanting me to become evil on purpose or something, or like there is no God at all..

[LizaSymonenko]

Why bring God in to this, at all?

If the people are being mean to you, causing you harm, and even rejoicing at your pain....this has nothing to do with God.

They certainly are not following God's directive to "love one another".

[lovetzatziki]

Why bring God in to this, at all?

If the people are being mean to you, causing you harm, and even rejoicing at your pain....this has nothing to do with God.

They certainly are not following God's directive to "love one another".

They receive good things after doing this things to me(good things happen in their life afterwards both spiritually and materially) while I more bad things... I noticed this not in a singular episode. The question is why would God bless them after they cause me injustice, and why would i fall deeper in the pit(spiritually and materially crashed) after suffering injustice? Where is the justice in that? Why would God repay them that do evil with good and those that do good with evil?

[LizaSymonenko]

What makes you think their reward is from God?

[TheTrisagion]

I'm sure it sounds trite, but you really have no idea what is going on in the long term.  We don't understand why God allows the things to happen that He does.  If we could understand Him, He wouldn't be God.

[lovetzatziki]

I'm sure it sounds trite, but you really have no idea what is going on in the long term.  We don't understand why God allows the things to happen that He does.  If we could understand Him, He wouldn't be God.

Than why does he give them to us if we are not meant to understand? Guess what I don't need things in the long term, I need them now. Time is merciless. You can never be 26 again.

[lovetzatziki]

What makes you think their reward is from God?

I'm trying to find this things out, hence all the topics, esspecially the "the deeds of the devil and the deeds of God" from Faith Issues. But so far responses have been rudely there.

[LizaSymonenko]

Don't interpret them as "rude" only adamant in their beliefs! 

You have a tendency to talk in circles, and not accept what others are trying to explain....and therefore, they become agitated and seem rude to you.

You need to be open and willing to "listen" to the answers people provide.

[lovetzatziki]

Don't interpret them as "rude" only adamant in their beliefs! 

You have a tendency to talk in circles, and not accept what others are trying to explain....and therefore, they become agitated and seem rude to you.

You need to be open and willing to "listen" to the answers people provide.

How you actually looked at that topic. They were being rudely from first replies.. Adamant in faith? Not at all.. Just plain ignorants .. At least that is how they looked to me.

[TheTrisagion]

I'm sure it sounds trite, but you really have no idea what is going on in the long term.  We don't understand why God allows the things to happen that He does.  If we could understand Him, He wouldn't be God.

Than why does he give them to us if we are not meant to understand? Guess what I don't need things in the long term, I need them now. Time is merciless. You can never be 26 again.

Don't I know it, that was 8 years ago for me!  

Knowledge is not the greatest of all things.  Being able to accept what is given to us is much greater.

I hope I have not come across as rude, I certainly do not intend so.

[lovetzatziki]

Can someone who has the Holy Spirit be miserable? Is social happiness a sin?

[TheTrisagion]

Can someone who has the Holy Spirit be miserable? Is social happiness a sin?

I don't really know how to answer the first question, but the second question is no.

The Church collective has the Holy Spirit.  We individuals have the Holy Spirit only in so much as we are connected to the Church.  If you are asking if someone can be faithful to God and still have significant emotional struggle, then I would say yes.  God is not an anti-depressant pill that we take and get and endorphin high.  The struggles are for our own good.  It is how we grow.  Plants struggle to burst forth from their seed and push up through the ground, women struggle to give birth, we struggle to grow closer to God.  Struggle and resistance is not a bad thing.

If you mean social happiness such as hanging out with friend and enjoying their company, I don't know why that could be considered a sin unless your companionship is leading you to forsake God.

[lovetzatziki]

Can someone who has the Holy Spirit be miserable? Is social happiness a sin?

I don't really know how to answer the first question, but the second question is no.

The Church collective has the Holy Spirit.  We individuals have the Holy Spirit only in so much as we are connected to the Church.  If you are asking if someone can be faithful to God and still have significant emotional struggle, then I would say yes.  God is not an anti-depressant pill that we take and get and endorphin high.  The struggles are for our own good.  It is how we grow.  Plants struggle to burst forth from their seed and push up through the ground, women struggle to give birth, we struggle to grow closer to God.  Struggle and resistance is not a bad thing.

If you mean social happiness such as hanging out with friend and enjoying their company, I don't know why that could be considered a sin unless your companionship is leading you to forsake God.

I mean secular happiness.

If God is no endorphine high pill why bother in wanting and seeking God so much? Afaik one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy/happiness? So how can one be suffering, depressed and still have the Holy Spirit. Too much contradictions in our religion .

[Adela]

Social happiness is not a sin, in the proper context.  Jesus went to weddings, he spent time with friends.  He experienced human emotions, such as anger when he saw how his Father's house was being desecrated, he grieved when he heard of the death of Lazarus, even though he could raise him from the dead.   What Jesus promised was His Peace, he didn't say we were to be smiling, drooling mind-numb followers.  He gives us his Peace when we are facing adversity, dispair, and truly hard times.  Once I asked our priest why God allows suffering, his answer was there are many deep ideas on this but the one he shared that resonated with me personally was that we are not puppets being manipulated by God. We all have free will and we have the consequences of free will.

[TheTrisagion]

Can someone who has the Holy Spirit be miserable? Is social happiness a sin?

I don't really know how to answer the first question, but the second question is no.

The Church collective has the Holy Spirit.  We individuals have the Holy Spirit only in so much as we are connected to the Church.  If you are asking if someone can be faithful to God and still have significant emotional struggle, then I would say yes.  God is not an anti-depressant pill that we take and get and endorphin high.  The struggles are for our own good.  It is how we grow.  Plants struggle to burst forth from their seed and push up through the ground, women struggle to give birth, we struggle to grow closer to God.  Struggle and resistance is not a bad thing.

If you mean social happiness such as hanging out with friend and enjoying their company, I don't know why that could be considered a sin unless your companionship is leading you to forsake God.

I mean secular happiness.

If God is no endorphine high pill why bother in wanting and seeking God so much? Afaik one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy/happiness? So how can one be suffering, depressed and still have the Holy Spirit. Too much contradictions in our religion .

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by secular happiness.  Do you mean being happy about things that are not religious, like going out to a pub? Or a sports game?  I don't see any sin in those unless you get smashed drunk and lose control of yourself.

Just because it is a fruit of the Spirit does not mean it is always expressed or manifested emotionally.  Jesus did not seem to have emotional joy and peace as He wept in the garden prior to His crucifixion, yet He is called the Prince of Peace.

[lovetzatziki]

Can someone who has the Holy Spirit be miserable? Is social happiness a sin?

I don't really know how to answer the first question, but the second question is no.

The Church collective has the Holy Spirit.  We individuals have the Holy Spirit only in so much as we are connected to the Church.  If you are asking if someone can be faithful to God and still have significant emotional struggle, then I would say yes.  God is not an anti-depressant pill that we take and get and endorphin high.  The struggles are for our own good.  It is how we grow.  Plants struggle to burst forth from their seed and push up through the ground, women struggle to give birth, we struggle to grow closer to God.  Struggle and resistance is not a bad thing.

If you mean social happiness such as hanging out with friend and enjoying their company, I don't know why that could be considered a sin unless your companionship is leading you to forsake God.

I mean secular happiness.

If God is no endorphine high pill why bother in wanting and seeking God so much? Afaik one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy/happiness? So how can one be suffering, depressed and still have the Holy Spirit. Too much contradictions in our religion .

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by secular happiness.  Do you mean being happy about things that are not religious, like going out to a pub? Or a sports game?  I don't see any sin in those unless you get smashed drunk and lose control of yourself.

Just because it is a fruit of the Spirit does not mean it is always expressed or manifested emotionally.  Jesus did not seem to have emotional joy and peace as He wept in the garden prior to His crucifixion, yet He is called the Prince of Peace.

Did not seem or didn't have? There is a difference between the two.

Yes secular happiness : a good job, big house, car, social structure and dignity, material things, etc.. What I mean is to be happy in this world in a secular way.

[LBK]

Yes secular happiness : a good job, big house, car, social structure and dignity, material things, etc..

All these things do not necessarily bring happiness, secular or otherwise. There are plenty of folks with all these things and more, yet are miserable. Others are not satisfied, and keep wanting more.

[TheTrisagion]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

[lovetzatziki]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

[TheTrisagion]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

[lovetzatziki]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

You said in God there is not only joy and happiness, etc... What contrasts would you say there are in God, than?

[TheTrisagion]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

You said in God there is not only joy and happiness, etc... What contrasts would you say there are in God, than?

First of all, happiness is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit.  Joy is, but it is not necessarily an emotional joy.  It is the joy we can have knowing that God is in control despite unfortunate circumstances we might be in. We can take joy in our trials, knowing that God is using them to help us to grow.

[lovetzatziki]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

You said in God there is not only joy and happiness, etc... What contrasts would you say there are in God, than?

First of all, happiness is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit.  Joy is, but it is not necessarily an emotional joy.  It is the joy we can have knowing that God is in control despite unfortunate circumstances we might be in. We can take joy in our trials, knowing that God is using them to help us to grow.

How do you know when is God or when the devil? If your suffering was implemented for your perdition or for your own good?

[Romaios]

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.

Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will.

For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.

Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.

Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.

When things unforeseen occur , let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.

Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every brother and sister, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.

Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events.

Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.

Amen

Also, what Job said to his wife:

If we have received good at the hand of the Lord, shall we not receive evil?

[TheTrisagion]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

You said in God there is not only joy and happiness, etc... What contrasts would you say there are in God, than?

First of all, happiness is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit.  Joy is, but it is not necessarily an emotional joy.  It is the joy we can have knowing that God is in control despite unfortunate circumstances we might be in. We can take joy in our trials, knowing that God is using them to help us to grow.

How do you know when is God or when the devil? If your suffering was implemented for your perdition or for your own good?

I don't.  I don't need to know the reasoning behind something bad happening to me.  It isn't important.  What is important is how I react to it.  Do I use it as an opportunity to complain or an opportunity to glorify God?

[KBN1]

As Trisagion said, it is really about how we react to negative things.  I don't remember where I heard this, but it has been of great help to me, "Don't be so right that you become wrong."  I have no doubt that bad things have happened to you, lovetzatziki, and I won't tell you that you are wrong to feel hurt by them, but by dwelling on how one has been wronged and focusing on the seeming lack of God's retribution, one can lose focus and be so consumed with being correct that they expend their own freedom and become enslaved to the circumstances of the person that wronged them.  I am speaking of freedom of the heart.  I encourage you to read St. Paul's letter to the Philippians.  Paul was in prison when he wrote it and makes mention of prison a number of times.  Paul had endured much, but writes with such freedom and joy, and even takes joy in all that had happened to him because he knew it was for the furtherance of the Gospel. 

"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear...  Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."

At the end of the first chapter he exhorts the Philippians to,

"...let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me."

None of this is easy, but it transforms our hearts and saves us.

[lovetzatziki]

Nothing wrong with those things unless you allow them to be you end goal and focus in life.  There are plenty of miserable people who have all that stuff.  It doesn't make you happy.

Either way.  Jesus did not have emotional peace and joy at that time.  It doesn't take away anything from Him.  As I said, God isn't a happy pill you take and all your problems cease.

Would you say that in God we find both negative and positive things?

I would say that we can find things that we personally don't prefer.  I don't prefer to be judged for my sins, I would much rather He just let it all slide like a senile grandfather, but that isn't the way it works. If you are referring to morality, I do not believe God exercises any negative morality. I may not understand why He does the things that He does, but that doesn't mean what He is doing is wrong.

You said in God there is not only joy and happiness, etc... What contrasts would you say there are in God, than?

First of all, happiness is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit.  Joy is, but it is not necessarily an emotional joy.  It is the joy we can have knowing that God is in control despite unfortunate circumstances we might be in. We can take joy in our trials, knowing that God is using them to help us to grow.

How do you know when is God or when the devil? If your suffering was implemented for your perdition or for your own good?

I don't.  I don't need to know the reasoning behind something bad happening to me.  It isn't important.  What is important is how I react to it.  Do I use it as an opportunity to complain or an opportunity to glorify God?

It is important to know the reasoning behind something bad happening to know how to react to the idea of "God". To me this kind of things tell me there is no God. This kind of negative things without an answer why, in the sense of retaliation keep repeating in my life. What is more strange is that those who seem to cause them seem like being REWARDED by God for doing so, and I feel blame, yes even blame for false accusations, I feel like even God himself is saying I am to be blamed and blames me for something I did not do. Who does he think he is to play with our lives in this manner ? I don't trust this God. And I surely won't want his salvation and the afterlife of servitude towards such a God. I am sorry but to me he is not worthy. I want to be happy now, here! I am looking and I see some people who are. People who enjoy their youth, their life and have a good cousy life. What I am saying perhaps God does not exist. There is a lot of corruption in this world and the such. If he exists he is doing a really bad job. And I am not interested about his heaven, or nirvana or etc. Once he screwed things here chances are he can screw them anywhere. I don't want a boring heaven, where i sit with the angels and worship God all day, or read the bible with the Christians , and things like that. To me it is extremely idiotic to hang upon something like that(the afterlife) and base your own life's philosophy around that. In an afterlife things will fix, resolve, God will repay justly. Guess what no one returned from the death to tell us how it's there. More there are poltergeist stories of kind souls who are extremely tormented with what they found after death and that start wondering back on this world.

[lovetzatziki]

Social happiness is not a sin, in the proper context.  Jesus went to weddings, he spent time with friends.  He experienced human emotions, such as anger when he saw how his Father's house was being desecrated, he grieved when he heard of the death of Lazarus, even though he could raise him from the dead.   What Jesus promised was His Peace, he didn't say we were to be smiling, drooling mind-numb followers.  He gives us his Peace when we are facing adversity, dispair, and truly hard times.  Once I asked our priest why God allows suffering, his answer was there are many deep ideas on this but the one he shared that resonated with me personally was that we are not puppets being manipulated by God. We all have free will and we have the consequences of free will.

Except that we are like puppets manipulated by God. It is he that plays with us and our lives, and take our lives back to him, make us sick, brings disasters and so on. From my poor knowledge not even the fathers nor the Church or the councils say that we have absolute free-will. So your God is playing with us like toys. Except that I don't have Jesus' peace when I encounter such things of injustice (that is the problem to me). There is no comfort no peace, but even the contrary I even feel remorse for things I haven't done and am unjustly accused with any evidence. How can that be? I keep asking myself. Also some weird coincides and circumstances have happened that incriminate me. Too strange. It's like God himself created this particular situation. Why?!?!??!?! Is he an bad word removed - MK? Well I want to be smilling, drooling mind-numb in this world, here, now , not after I die in some strange world that I don't know and no one knows where I could be separated from people I like, love, etc. And we have no guarantee of an afterworld now don't we? If I am worshipping God now I want good things now, not in the future. If he gives them in the future than I will worship him in the future or when he does this things.

For profanities you are being put under 30 day-long moderation. I also sincerely advice you to calm down and aquire less aggresive style than you present recently with insulting all the other members on the forum - MK

[lovetzatziki]

As Trisagion said, it is really about how we react to negative things.  I don't remember where I heard this, but it has been of great help to me, "Don't be so right that you become wrong."  I have no doubt that bad things have happened to you, lovetzatziki, and I won't tell you that you are wrong to feel hurt by them, but by dwelling on how one has been wronged and focusing on the seeming lack of God's retribution, one can lose focus and be so consumed with being correct that they expend their own freedom and become enslaved to the circumstances of the person that wronged them.  I am speaking of freedom of the heart.  I encourage you to read St. Paul's letter to the Philippians.  Paul was in prison when he wrote it and makes mention of prison a number of times.  Paul had endured much, but writes with such freedom and joy, and even takes joy in all that had happened to him because he knew it was for the furtherance of the Gospel. 

"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear...  Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."

At the end of the first chapter he exhorts the Philippians to,

"...let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me."

None of this is easy, but it transforms our hearts and saves us.

Except that I feel that this things are for my perdition and their salvation (evil, no?). I have yet to see a man happy in suffering. And Paul? He was crying his ass out in front of the court. Talking about happiness and the such. To me he looked like desparated and like someone who wanted out. And we don't have any certainty that Paul , Jesus, the apostles or anyone was how the bible describes them or that they existed at all. If I can't get happiness, justice in this world, here, now, what guarentess do I have that I would get them in another world I don't know about and no one knows about and that chances are it doesn't even exist.

[lovetzatziki]

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.

Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will.

For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.

Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.

Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.

When things unforeseen occur , let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.

Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every brother and sister, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.

Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events.

Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.

Amen

Also, what Job said to his wife:

If we have received good at the hand of the Lord, shall we not receive evil?

Do you really think this is how God works? .. Killing one's own familly and than giving other family instead of it? Does that bring back the children that have died? Or do the years of old age compare with those of youth and power? Didn't the psalmist say that life after 70 years is hard? Job sounds like an invented story. A good-night story for kids. Like most (if not all) of the Bible . Even writers and poets can invent more plausible stories.

[Romaios]

Job sounds like an invented story. A good-night story for kids. Like most (if not all) of the Bible . Even writers and poets can invent more plausible stories.

The Kingdom of God is for kids: "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Luke 18:17)

[lovetzatziki]

Job sounds like an invented story. A good-night story for kids. Like most (if not all) of the Bible . Even writers and poets can invent more plausible stories.

The Kingdom of God is for kids: "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Luke 18:17)

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

And please tell us when was the last time God spoke to you

[Romaios]

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

Whatever happens to you is part of "how God works".

[Romaios]

And please tell us when was the last time God spoke to you

The last time I was willing to listen... 

[lovetzatziki]

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

Whatever happens to you is part of "how God works".

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

[LBK]

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

Whatever happens to you is part of "how God works".

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

Folks here have quoted scripture, you don't like it. Folks here have quoted from the Fathers, you reject it. Others have given other sorts of advice, and you refuse to accept it. People are trying to help, and you knock them back, criticizing what they say.

It's almost like you don't want to be helped. 

[Romaios]

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

If that's how you feel about it, forgive me and ignore what I wrote (which happens to be what I believe and think). No offence taken.  

[lovetzatziki]

And please tell us when was the last time God spoke to you

The last time I was willing to listen... 

Was it something like this :

40 Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,

2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

3 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

6 Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.

12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.

14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.

19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

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Exodus 3
King James Version (KJV)
3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

 

If you are willing to listen you can hear even the walls speak. There are a lot of people who are willing to listen locked on nut houses.

[lovetzatziki]

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

If that's how you feel about it, forgive me and ignore what I wrote (which happens to be what I believe and think). No offence taken.  

Nope it doesn't. Most of your replies were just bare verse-pickings and abstract answers. Why don't you try some real communication?

[Romaios]

If you are willing to listen you can hear even the walls speak. There are a lot of people who are willing to listen locked on nut houses.

If you truly seek to know God's will for you, He will reveal it. Otherwise, we're just part of the big crowd: "seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand".

[lovetzatziki]

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

Whatever happens to you is part of "how God works".

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

Folks here have quoted scripture, you don't like it. Folks here have quoted from the Fathers, you reject it. Others have given other sorts of advice, and you refuse to accept it. People are trying to help, and you knock them back, criticizing what they say.

It's almost like you don't want to be helped. 

Quoted from the Fathers?!? Who? Give some examples. Some people are internet yahoos with no occupation that just like to fight on everything. I doubt that all people were trying to actually help me. If they were they would respond to my petitions as I asked them and have an actual conversation with me, rather than just some cherry verse nitpickings , and some quotes, whom I may not read them as they do. What is your problem after all. It is evidence that you don't follow the threads but insist on calling me on things based on ignorance(no fathers were quoted in anything). Are you a troll or something? I told you no "telenovelas" . My suffering is real. Some people just seem to be insensitive internet yahoos.

[LBK]

Do you really think that is how God works? .. Like in Job.

Whatever happens to you is part of "how God works".

I am speaking about you and what you believe and think. This worthless dogmatic and verse battling has often proove to be quite the diametrically oppose thing that people believe. Strange thing.. Some people just do it for the sake of argument. I am here for real and true conversation not for lousy verse picking and abstract situations.

Folks here have quoted scripture, you don't like it. Folks here have quoted from the Fathers, you reject it. Others have given other sorts of advice, and you refuse to accept it. People are trying to help, and you knock them back, criticizing what they say.

It's almost like you don't want to be helped. 

Quoted from the Fathers?!? Who? Give some examples. Some people are internet yahoos with no occupation that just like to fight on everything. I doubt that all people were trying to actually help me. If they were they would respond to my petitions as I asked them and have an actual conversation with me, rather than just some cherry verse nitpickings , and some quotes, whom I may not read them as they do. What is your problem after all. It is evidence that you don't follow the threads but insist on calling me on things based on ignorance(no fathers were quoted in anything). Are you a troll or something? I told you no "telenovelas" . My suffering is real. Some people just seem to be insensitive internet yahoos.

You come here for help, people offer all sorts of advice, and you refuse to take it. No idea where you get this "telenovela" stuff from.

[Romaios]

Some people are internet yahoos with no occupation that just like to fight on everything. (...) Some people just seem to be insensitive internet yahoos.

What makes you exceptional other than your very unique and real "suffering"?

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Faith Issues (Moderator: Mor Ephrem) > Topic: Affliction / Suffering / Punishment