Ring Ring, Hello God? Where are you?

Laura Zone 5 · #1 07/18/13, 09:33 AM

I know His Promises are True.

Deut 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

We used to walk hand in hand, lock step.
It seems like the more I relinquished control to You, the more my world spun out of control, and the further You seemed to be.
The more I said "I trust you Father" the further it seemed you were, like you couldn't hear my voice.

I have Faith Father, this WILL all make sense one day.
I just wish He would hold me close right now, when everything around me is falling apart.

JoePa · #2 07/18/13, 10:11 AM

He is watching you - from a distance - We have to remember that this screwed up world is not our home - we are just passing through - just put your trust in Him and go on day by day - someday you will see why He let certain things happen - He never promised you a rose garden - just the opposite - this life is full of pain and suffering - that is a given - make the best of it and look forward to the day when there will no longer be pain and suffering - that is the hope we have - no matter had bad things are you must realize things could be a thousand times worse - just the fact that you can see and have the ability to think is such a gift - good luck

Breezy833 · #3 07/18/13, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

I have Faith Father, this WILL all make sense one day.
I just wish He would hold me close right now, when everything around me is falling apart.

This quote reminds me of a story my grandma told me, and so i'll tell you.

My grandparents were a very young couple, and young parents to boot. Somewhere throughout their marriage my grandpa developed a wondering eye. He dated a woman at the same workplace. It was hurtful and embarrassing for her. She fought, she cried, she burned his things( and the other woman's fur coat), smashed out his windows, and in a final act divorced.

They kept a strange relationship, my grandpa still kept accounts, still took her car to the gas station to fill it up while she was at work. He just lived somewhere else. ( i might add while i NEVER knew they were divorced) We are not overly religious, but she said during this time of her life she prayed and cried about why this had happen. Why couldn't she fix it, why wouldn't He fix it. She had to learn how to do all the things that it was never her role to do, pay bills arrange handy men, arrange car repair, shop for 1. Live for 1.

She decided at 11 years old she never wanted anyone in her life but him, and though he loved her, he thought it was fair she asked for a divorce. time passed and his other relationship fizzled out, and he came home. A place she thought he belonged. Suddenly into their reconciliation he got cancer, and was dead in a year and a half. They took a couple small trips before he passed. He bought her a brand new convertible, its interesting to me to see the things a dying husband will buy his wife because he knows he wont be able to give her anything, ever again in a short time.

It's been 17 years since he passed, she misses him every day like it was the first day.

My point to your quote after this long story is she thinks that my grandfather and God were in cahoots to teacher her how to be independent. During their divorce she learned how to take care of herself, and now in his death she doesn't stumble.

Stumble now, i think it will be valuable later.

(sorry for the long story)

Nicole

breestephens · #4 07/18/13, 10:24 AM

Some times we have to give up every thing in our life so he can give us the best life He has planned for us. Don't give up He knows what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning.

Yvonne's hubby · #5 07/18/13, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

I just wish He would hold me close right now, when everything around me is falling apart.

If He held you too close you wouldnt be able to work on the problems that are getting out of hand in your life. He is not here to solve our problems, thats our job.

Ozarks Tom · #6 07/18/13, 01:25 PM

I remember the verse about God seeing every sparrow that falls, and thinking - he didn't stop it from falling. All we can do is our best, anything after that is wasted effort.

There's a book worth reading "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and Its All Small Stuff". We can all look back on what we thought at the time were insurmountable problems. You will too.

CJBegins · #7 07/18/13, 03:19 PM

Oh my gosh, this thread has brought tears to my eyes. I could cry like a baby. This struggle that Dh and I are going through hurts so much.

Laura, I just want to reach out and hug you. I don't know what your struggles are but I know how difficult this life is.

pattishadow · #8 07/18/13, 09:27 PM

Shhhh I found I couldn't hear him because of my pleading and ranting, sobbing. I wanted God to help me, to hear me, but it wasn't until I was quiet that heard his answers.

Pattishadow

Chixarecute · #9 07/18/13, 09:53 PM

Not too long ago I read the book, "Same Kind of Different as Me." It's a true story, told in alternating format by two friends. In the book, the one friend tells the other something along the lines of, "the more important you are to God, the more trouble the devil is going to cause you."

I've also been re reading parts of the book, "The Believer's Authority." The author talks about...I'm not sure I can explain it well...but proclaiming out loud your faith, trust, assurance in God's promises. In one sense, telling the devil he can't separate you from God. In another sense, I think there is some psychological value in you hearing yourself proclaim the situation you want to see (not the one you're enduring). Repeat often. You don't have to tell it where others can here, but say it out loud so YOU can hear.

I'm sorry you're going through a rough patch. Sometimes, you just have to tie a knot and hang on to that rope until the wind stops tossing you around. Then, you can climb back up. <hugs>

BlueRose · #10 07/18/13, 10:48 PM

Laura I don't know what is happening in your life right now. But know that I am praying for you.

Remember His words: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Find and read the Serenity pray. (((Hugs)))

vicker · #11 07/18/13, 11:14 PM

Laura, I am one who hates that story about the footprints in the sand, and I mean with passion

It is one of the sayings that has actually caused me to raise my hand in church

Hold on to your faith, and pray for strength and wisdom. You will come through this, and you and your faith will be fine and stronger. Read the Psalms, many of them composed by David while he feared for his life and lived on the run, they will comfort you.

vicker · #12 07/18/13, 11:30 PM

By the way, I love the title of your thread

and it causes me to giggle every time I see it. Many years ago, when I was going through the worst trial of my life, I got a computer and got online service through Delphi. This was before there was anything like the internet now. In the chat rooms on Delphi you could type "/zendusername" and send someone a private message. The whole chat room thing was a great diversion for me, and it probably saved my life. One night while chatting I typed in "/zendGod". The response was, "sorry, God is not available right now". HAHAHA! I got such great joy from that, and from then on would occasionally /zend God

During that time I learned to live in constant prayer, and on more than occasion felt that perhaps God wasn't listening. Of course he was, and he has never abandoned me, or anyone else. I just had to learn to hear him. As someone else said above, over my own crying. Sometimes our pain is from our own doing, sometimes from the doings of others, and, rarely, they are from God, but he will use them all to make us a more perfect creatures, and to lead us into his love. Keep your chin up, and your head bowed

Laura Zone 5 · #13 07/19/13, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicker

Laura, I am one who hates that story about the footprints in the sand, and I mean with passion

It is one of the sayings that has actually caused me to raise my hand in church

Hold on to your faith, and pray for strength and wisdom. You will come through this, and you and your faith will be fine and stronger. Read the Psalms, many of them composed by David while he feared for his life and lived on the run, they will comfort you.

I really loathe 'christian catch phrases'.
Cutesy tootsy churchy lingo. Bleck.

The story of Moses, when they were in battle, and as long as Moses' arms were raised up, they were winning.
But he grew weak, tired, etc.
There were 2 men who came along side Moses, and propped his arms up for him when he was too weak to do it himself.
Today's churches do not want to be 'the arm propper'.
They are looking for 'worker bees' to boost attendance.
Not complicated or hurting people.
Jesus said, it is not the well who need the Doctor, but the sick.

I have ran, in full sprint, the opposite direction.
I felt like He was not listening anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicker

By the way, I love the title of your thread

and it causes me to giggle every time I see it. Many years ago, when I was going through the worst trial of my life, I got a computer and got online service through Delphi. This was before there was anything like the internet now. In the chat rooms on Delphi you could type "/zendusername" and send someone a private message. The whole chat room thing was a great diversion for me, and it probably saved my life. One night while chatting I typed in "/zendGod". The response was, "sorry, God is not available right now". HAHAHA! I got such great joy from that, and from then on would occasionally /zend God

During that time I learned to live in constant prayer, and on more than occasion felt that perhaps God wasn't listening. Of course he was, and he has never abandoned me, or anyone else. I just had to learn to hear him. As someone else said above, over my own crying. Sometimes our pain is from our own doing, sometimes from the doings of others, and, rarely, they are from God, but he will use them all to make us a more perfect creatures, and to lead us into his love. Keep your chin up, and your head bowed

I just want to heal.
I just want Him to gather me up, hold me close, tell me He Loves me, and that He's gonna protect me.

jwal10 · #14 07/19/13, 08:50 AM

[QUOTE I have Faith Father QUOTE]

Ask and you shall receive.

[QUOTE I just wish He would hold me close right now QUOTE]

He is. Keep the faith

.... He is letting you fall gently, until you are on your knees. You are pushing him away, trying to tell HIM what to do.

When you get there, you will hear his soft whisper and know.

IT IS TRUE. He HAS been holding you.

When it happens, just ask.

DEAR LORD....

....James

lemonthyme7 · #15 07/19/13, 10:29 AM

((((HUGS)))) I have been having a rough year too and I realized that I am always asking God for things but never thanking Him for what I had that was good in my life. Lately I have been trying to thank him every day even if it is just to say thank you for this beautiful day. I always remember to thank Him for my wonderful children because they are the light of my life. Of course I still go to Him in prayer and ask what is going on in my life and where is it going and please, please help me make sense of it. I just don't want to forget to thank Him as well for the blessings I have. I know some days are so gray (or black) that it is a real struggle but He has not forgotten you.

farmrbrown · #16 07/19/13, 09:22 PM

There is some really good advice on this thread.
I've heard most it in the past, but it was good to hear it reminded to me again.

Teaching you how to be strong and NOT stumble.....there may be tougher times ahead.

Being important to God DOES bring you to the Devil's attention......how many examples of THAT do you need? lol

I'll add one more that brings me back to humility when I'm feeling unloved and unappreciated or just plain tired of it all.

We ask God for help......often.
That's because we need it and want it. We're hurt or in a desperate spot.
After all else fails and the stuff is REALLY deep, we start calling out for His help.

Ever think about asking once in a while, when things are going well....and maybe even when they aren't............"Hey God, is there anything I can do for You?

Think of it this way.
Caller I.D.

Ever look at the number and say, "Oh man, I wonder what this guy wants THIS time?"
OR
"Oh man, that's a guy that always calls with something good!"

Are you taking it to heart?

GoldenCityMuse · #17 07/20/13, 10:02 AM

Do you like music?

When i was going thru aftermath of divorce in my life like 10-12 years ago, I would put on some Contemporary Christian music and play it quite loud.

When I call on Jesus -Nicole C. Mullen was one of my standbys.
Also some WhiteHeart. Say the Word
Petra - Coloring Song

It sure helped.

And read CS Lewis, the problem of Pain & Screwtape letters for perspective.