Why Blame God?
by Muriel Larson
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5).
Six-year-old Elizabeth came home from school one day deeply grieved. "What’s the matter, Elizabeth?" her mother asked.
The teacher made me go out and stand in the hall today," she answered.
Avoiding the question, Elizabeth cried out, "Why did God have to make halls?"
Although we might smile because we know that men make halls, yet the cry is familiar and hits close to home with all of us. How often do we cry, "Why did God…?
When disease, disaster, or death strikes someone in our family, we may cry, "Why has God permitted this?" We may ignore the fact that such things were brought on the human race by man himself. This way of sorrow was not God’s first choice for man. And if we blame Adam and Eve for getting us into this mess, let’s be honest and admit that we too have disobeyed God in many ways.
Often we reap problems, sickness and death because of our own foolishness. The Bible says of Christians, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Stop and think about that. Isn’t it amazing?
How do we treat God’s Temple?
Yet how do we keep this temple of God? Do we keep it clean? Do we abstain from worldly lusts and refrain from using things that might enslave our bodies or give them some terrible affliction? Do we eat proper, nourishing foods, and in moderation? Do we seek medical aid when our bodies need it? Do we sleep or relax enough? The better care we give this temple of God, the longer we can serve Him with it.
Some Christians complain feebly because they can’t seem to overcome the shortcomings in their lives. They wonder why God doesn’t help them get over a bad habit. God answers, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25). Yes, the victory does come from God, but only as we yield ourselves to Him and His control.
Ephesians 4:22 and 24 says we are to "put off your old self" and "put on the new self." Instructions are given there as to how we can do this. If we do not become familiar with these instructions and try to obey them, how then can we blame God if we don’t have victory in our lives?
Victory is a two-way street. God gives us the power to overcome–as we give Him the yieldedness and obedience that He requires for that power. So let’s not blame the Lord for anything. For as we point a finger at Him, four point back at us!
"Let God be true, and every man a liar," says Romans 3:4.
Questions: I’ve prayed for good things; so why hasn’t God answered my prayers? How can I have faith in God when I think He has let me down? Am I willing to do my part on the path of obedience and victory?
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/muriel-larson/
99 Responses to “Why Blame God?”
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Yes, dear Andi, the Lord has to have a sense of humor with me…and oh my, His patience!
Margaret….thank you for your words…..but please please…know I am a sinner, saved by grace……and a sinner even after saved by grace….No saint….just His love, mercy and grace.
God bless you……..
Patti yes! Look up Ephesians 1:1. It has changed me. I know whose I am !
I like that visual, not sure who wrote it in their reply first how each one of us is running our own race in our own lane. Good summary of today’s devotion. Sorry I cannot respond to each of you, but have to compete for computer time with all my kids. God Bless!
Oh my dear Margaret…no no no……I struggle daily….I’ve almost given up many times….no saint here….just a country gal that loves Jesus….and I am so thankful that He wooed me to Him…and always had His hand on me.
I’m so humbled to think anyone could love me…especially the Lord……I’ve done nothing to deserve His love..nothing….I’ve been a doubting Thomas most of my life, but the Lord directed me..to this site and I have been so prayed over and blessed……You ladies are saints……not me. Thank You Jesus for these ladies here…..the writers, readers and those who comment.
God’s truth! Patti You are a saint, one eclared righteous by God, who sometimes sin!
Patti, I’m LOL at what you think HIS response to you might be. I think HE must have a marvellous sense of humour along w/HIS Holy and serious side that weeps over us when we stray off the path HE had intended for us. But HE’s always faithful to get us back into the ‘right lane’ on HIS track isn’t HE?
Man but I love that word picture. It will stay in my mind forever and I’ll repeat it when ever it seems to apply.
How Great thou art, How Great thou art, Than sings my soul my Savior God to thee, How Great thou art, How great thou art!
He is Lord, He is Lord, He is risen from the dead and he is Lord! Every need shall bow, every tongue confess, That Jesus Christ is Lord!
God Bless
Andi…I am smiling as I read your comment. For me, God may very well say….”Well, you made it……you are a fighter and survivor….You are My child, but my goodness you slow and stubborn!…Welcome!”
I’ve struggled all my life…I may come in last in the lane…but I will finish the race!
God bless all of you…..Sarah, Gina, Cathy, Angela, Linda, Andi, Margaret, Romel….all of you precious women, I can’t remember all of your names…but you are in my prayers.
I’m so fortunate…God has blessed me. I can’t even imagine your grief and pain. All of you ladies bless me so!
Wow! What a day it has been for all of us! I’m praising God for all of us as I’m certain He has used each response to this question to help us grow a tad more in our walk of faith, hope and trust in HIM the Author & Finisher of our Faith.
I loved the line about ‘not getting into someone elses running lane! Right on! For we are all different and called to be different so of course the ‘race will be run’ differently. But we have all been applauding and encouragine our sisters even as we’ve had a taste of how their ‘race’ is different from ours.
HE, the final destination is what it’s all about! Oh to hear HIM say to all of us, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant!’And I’m sure HE’ll also say, ‘My well loved child.’
Nuggets of HIS wisdom in every email! Words of encouragement back and forth. I’m thanking HIM once again for all of you in my life this day.
Andi
Hello…Now I know why I did’t get my devotional until later! Wow…What a great devotional and the responses with so many perspectives. Rejection, addiction, saved then thinking we are unsaved, anger at God, that I guess is why we needed a saviour. Mary said it…My heart, doth need a saviour..her son Jesus! SIMPLY JESUS!!!
When I have witnessed my personal eating habits and other shortcomings…Why did I eat the whole cake last night Lord? It’s no secret I love it!! Now my pants are tight and I need to get into them. This will always be a struggle for me too. I used to joke with my girlfriend to only buy Levi’s as they are the only one’s you can stretch into because they were made by the smartest Levites in scripture. Not to make light, as more than half of us struggle with the measurements and standards of Hollywood. Choose the Holy Word and remember a faithlift last forever…ask a senior retired actress in Bel Air. Some look like Beverly Hills Science projects. We are creations that were fashioned according to the image of God however..it is too the point that I am afraid if I had something done…God wouldn’t recognize me. But then…I know truth as he see’s my heart for him.
My faith is in action however…Lord..I sin so take it into captivity as Paul says. The thorns..as my brother with final stages of diabetes, the homeless, the homefilled with no love…etc..yes..but isn’t it great that BOTTOM LINE…WE KNOW TRUTH??? Jesus, just give me Jesus!! Simply Jesus…as he was tempted by the evil one with food? That alway’s got me…food..so..don’t be hard on Our King when he was tempted in flesh as the enemy knows are stomach and mindset that growl for food when we aren’t even fasting! Yes, Jesus understands…he gave my brother insulin for diabetes and he has lived almost 44 years with it. Yes, the medication keeps his body going through a God inspired given medical miracle when insulin came to rescue these bodies that were not producing chemicals from a pancreas he created. I pray for him all the time and he has lived twice as long as he should have.
NO … one is cheated by the Lord. I let my heart condemn me and no one else. That is of the Lord…and when my clothes get too tight…it is my choice to stop and he did not make me a robot or a plastic barbie doll.
Friends and Family come and go. I just came out of the hospital last week and have no family here. I actually went on a pity party and then realized as a Christian what am I missing? Did he bring me to the hospital and dropped me off for the doctors to finish what he began..no. His faithfullness to the hair on my head. Nothing, I had a warm bed,food,medication, rest and a TV….and his word in my heart. Never separated from my dear Father!! Again!! I say Rejoice and let the indwelling of his Holy Spirit fill you until the fountains of his spiritual waters be the blessing you are seeking and fill the void with his bread of eternal life.
Martin Luther King said, “It isn’t until it is dark enough that you can see the stars!” Yes, a saviour was born unto us and it was finished at Calvary! So, continue to run the race and stay in your lane and let no one tell you anything else..as the prize of eternal life is our only hope!!!
Yeah God …your WISDOM WORKS!!! Even when we run and hide like Adam and Eve … you know exactly where we are..Amen!
Love to all you Lovely ladies!!! ToniG
Amen, Loreli! I am sorry you had a rough day! It sounds likes you need a hot bath and some TLC! So I will encourage you right now! Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong,we are weak but he is strong! Yes,Jesus,love me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me!The Bible tells me so!
Oh how he loves you and me! Oh how he loves you and me! He gave his life what more can he do! Oh how he loves you, Oh how he love you and me!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercys never come to an end, They are new every morning, New every morning Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord! Great is thy faithfulness!
Let’s keep our focus on Jesus and all he has done for us.
Goodnight!!!!!!!!! What in the world is going on here.
We all have struggles some to the point of death, some because of agonizing fear, some because of pain, some because of whatever. Aren’t we to build each other up, to encourage and uplift. Remember that Christ died for us all, not just a select few. His mercy and forgiveness is evident for all. And let me tell you one thing, God does judge and he is a jealous God and from what I have read he says in his word that if your mouth cannot bring forth love then close it. I’ve been pressed from all sides today and then I come to the devotional ready for an uplift and I see the world here too. Sister, forgive, forget and encourage. Tomorrow the sun will still rise and we will all still have stuff, but God is faithful and we are to simply trust. That’s it, TRUST HIM
Christians are not perfect just forgiven! I hear a lot of pain! Sarah, i want to reach out to say it is okay! I want to be your friend! We all want to be your friend! God understands your pain! Jesus won’t disappoint you, people might but Jesus will never disappoint you! Jesus is perfect and I don’t pretend to know all the answers! I don’t pretend to be perfect! I’d be a fake! I just know what is working for me! and I am glad Jesus is in my life!
Margaret, I had to smile when I read your ‘yet!” One day, perhaps soon, we’ll see Him, and everything will finally be as it should be, for we’ll be Home! Until that day, may we love our Savior and love one another well.
Andi…I say Amen to your question about our heartaches that turn into being a good thing in shaping our lives.
What would my life have been…if things had been different? I can’t answer that….but I know one thing….the things that the Lord allowed….thru evil and selfish people in my life, have made me into who I am today. I’m nothing special…but different from my experiences.
I know rejection well…and how it steals our self esteem and makes us feel that we can never be worthy.
I have been hospitalized over 30 days…along with other hurting souls. Some were drug addicts, some were panhandlers..some heard voices, many abused and rejected.
It was a horrible ordeal….but I learned a lot…about people..hurting people.
I sat across the table from a man who lived on the street. He called himself Cowboy. I watched men break down and cry their hearts out….due to horrible physical and/or sexual abuses as a young boy. I watched one beat an old chair to smitherings..pretending it was her mother. I heard stories that horrified me to think humanity could do or tolerate these crimes.
I remember a young woman named Annie….She grew up in a bar that her parents owned. They died and she lived on the street….the day I left the hospital, I found a broken pewter pin on my bag with a note from her. It was an eagle…..and she wrote a scripture about it…encouraged me in getting well. I cherish that eagle and note.
Annie and Cowboy, I never saw again. I do know that when they were released from the hospital, they had no place to go…except back out on the City streets. I remember Cowboy’s blue eyes….and how they glowed with tears. I remember Annie’s smile and encouraging words to me. To me? Yes…to me. I had a good husband and home to go back.
I praise God for those 30+ days….as I know more than ever now…that we are all alike in one way. We need and seek love, acceptance and understanding. We need the Lord.
There was a keyboard in the dining area….My doctor knew I played and encouraged me to do so one night….It was a weekend and there were no agendas..meetings that on weekends. Weekends were lonely and hard. I sat down at that keyboard one Saturday evening and began to play. Smiles broke out on the faces…as I played fun things. Soon, I began to play “Amazing Grace”…..everyone still had the smiles, but tears began to fill their eyes..young and old and they began to sing the words.
Ladies, I would not trade those 30+ days in the Mental Hospital for any of the things of the world. I still pray for them and pray I will see them one day again…in Heaven.
Yes, Andi…..Amen to the things like that…as difficult as they were. I’m so thankful for the Cowboys and Annie’s in my life. I’ve not been the same since I met them……and I thank God for reminding me of them again today….He is still transforming me into who He created me to be…and I am thankful.
Thank You Jesus…that You do make all things beautiful, in Your time.
I think that this shows how shallow all of can be in our thinking! It NEVER is God letting us down – it’s us (ME) letting God down. Blaming on our society is a 2-cent statement. I sent my prayers to the wrong God when I blamed Him for my ignorance or mistakes. I sent my TRUST in Truth and acceptance of resposibility- to other women or men through whining, complaining and blaming, instead of praying to God. The two-cent method only works temporarily. If I confess my sins to God, He is loyal and true to me. It isn’t God’s fault! He gave us the freedom to choose. I pray that each time I begin to open my mouth and begin to blame, that I first look into th mirror and ask myself, “Is it I, Lord?” I have no doubt if I seek the truth, the answer will be “Yes, and I forgive you.”
Well this has been interesting. SHaronB-this is reality REAL life-you know-that’s wht I could never get past-I felt like people were whisteling in the dark a lot and I wondered-was I really the only one struggling so much? ANd I know I wasn’t-its just that people are afraid to talk about things sometimes and people don’t want to hear things sometimes either. I had people praying at me too-it was like an intervention/exorcism-I have never been so humiliated-I mean-I was being honest-I was aking for help and ALL I was getting were Bible verses and people wanting to pray for me-which is all fine and dandy but what I really needed was just…a friend. No judgement so words of wisdom or interperetation of a verse or opinion-just a friend. And I finally got that outside of Christian circles. Sad. Very very sad. WHen I hear all of you share-your struggles and those of your loved ones-I want to reach out and just hold you and listen. I don’t want to preach at you. I was born again and on fire for the Lord back then-I remember my “lost” co-workers and friends would often confide in memaybe I had a sort of sincerity-a lot of Christians do-but, I cringe when I think of how I reacted-I alwasy felt liek I “ought” to share the gospel somehow-and I didn’t trust God to use my own simple words but I should have because I can still feel their shutting down as I squeezed a verse or a part of the gospel in there-I couldn’t just be a friend to them. ANd that is wht I should have been-I think it just reverberates -sould sharing with soul. Like, when Gina shared-I heard God in her sharing-more -MUCH more than I heard him in Romels million verses-which I did not even read. Be real-I think that;s what God wants. Be compassionate and real. WHen I hear that judgement -I cannot help but be angered-not just for me but for everyone who is judged like that!! ANd I will never keep quite or not be angered by it-nor should any of you. We are supposed to stand up for the weak Muriel-and all of you who agreed with that-carry them -not call them “whimpering”!!!
Thank God I have not struggled with bulimia for years now but, my faith was rocked and has never been restored. I have not given up though-or I guess I should say God has not given up on me. Ladies-thank you for sharing-I will pray my clumsy uncertain prayers for all of you and all of yours. xoxoxo
Let’s not be so harsh with the messenger. Muriel thanks for the reminder that we are not our own and that we belong to Jesus. We have been bought with a price. We are not our own. I am learning that I want to do all I can to have God’s spirit living in and through me. I want to take care of what I have! Ladies we have learned today that God’s grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. We don’t have our new body! yet! I can’t wait!
Hello Ladies, and welcome Sarah, This is an interesting devotional.
Muriel, I can see what you are trying to say in your devotional. To me it sounds very judgmental and somewhat harsh. For example, you wrote.
“Some Christians complain feebly because they can’t seem to overcome the shortcomings in their lives. They wonder why God doesn’t help them get over a bad habit. God answers, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25). Yes, the victory does come from God, but only as we yield ourselves to Him and His control.
Ephesians 4:22 and 24 says we are to “put off your old self” and “put on the new self.” Instructions are given there as to how we can do this. If we do not become familiar with these instructions and try to obey them, how then can we blame God if we don’t have victory in our lives
Of course, many of our problems are of our own doing. Many of them are because of things out of our control.”
I, too, came out of a very dysfunctional childhood. Now that I am an adult, I don’t blame that for my actions. However, I know my personality was developed under those conditions, it has caused me pain in my adult life and in my relationships. I have worked hard to overcome my disadvantages and God has been very good to me.
But I still am a work in progress and have a long way to go. Luckily, God is Good! He has placed wonderful, kind and loving people, both Christians and nonChristians in my life to help me through. When I say “nonChristian”, I never presume to know another person’s heart, I literally mean a person of a nonChristian religion.
I do agree with your remark about our bodies being temples. Some disease we can control through diet and exercise, but many we can’t. Your devotions Muriel, are usually uplifting and inspiring, but this one sounds like preaching to me.
Amen Andi!
Sorry, I think what hurts more than having this disease is when I went to tell the man I love about it. We usually communicate through e-mail but I sent him a message that I needed to talk to him and he kept e-mailing me back “about what”. I didn’t think it was appropriate to put in an e-mail, but I finally did. I needed him to come over – to pray with me, to cry with me, to help me tell my mother and children. He told me, he had to go to church that night and I needed to understand his busy schedule. That hurt more. His belief is to attend church rather than attend to the Lord’s work.
So I know what it is to be hurt by other Christians – especially those you thought you loved. But I read somewhere that attending church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Well, my work day is over. I work as a temp so I don’t have insurance and I also don’t have a computer at home so I will have to bid you ladies a good evening. God bless you all.
Andi I would like to say Amen! I also would like to lift Cathy & her son, Sarah and include Gina up as they come to grips w/their sorrows and challenges. God will see them through even though it seems impossible right now. I along with many of you daily suffer with Chronic Pain as I have Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bipolar Depression which PTL is under control right now and have gone through the loss of a husband and a teenage daughter. But I know God is in Control of my life, Nothing happens that He does not allow, He does Not Make mistakes, He NEVER says WHOOPS that wasn’t suppose to happen to that person Never! He is Lord of my life, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt he can Heal me and I daily pray He will but everything about my life is IN HIS TIME! Just like that song “In His Time God Makes All Things Beautiful In His Time” And The He Will Do For Each and Everyone of Us, some of us earlier than others, but I just live each day for Him and some days yes I am in bed all day because of Pain but still “This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made I Will Rejoice & Be Glad In It” Why not I can’t change it! I am just so thankful For Jesus and Everything He Has Done For Me & Given Me! Hugs Linda!!!
amen, bless all you ladies with strength and prosperity.
I think we all have been hurt! and we have experienced well meaning people in our lives who have hurt us! Amen Andi!
I am glad for the people who didn’t back away from me when I blew at my husband in front of the minister and a deacon. I am glad for my friends who sticked with me when I flew off the handle a lot! at a couple who mentorand me! They stuck with me.! Sarah the ladies here really care about each other here! I hope you will come and learn with us!
Patti,
Hey girlfiend,
God is gifting you w/healing words, w/HIS wisdom to teach and lead those that are hurt and are seeking.
I praise HIM for you on this blog.
Stay sensitive to HIS leading and DON’T ever mistrust that you are ‘hearing HIS voice,’ for you are showing us all today that you are! Be blessed today and in the coming week as you go thru this tuff time.
Andi
Ah well, we can take it can’t we? We’ve probably all been there at one time or another? Asking ‘why God? Why?’ or shaking our fist at HIM?
It has been my experience that HE will keep taking us ‘once more aroud the mountain’ until we learn to submit to HIM and HIS ways. I’d rather be a fast study than a slow one [as I've been in the past].
I’ve only been w/you for a short while but I’ve seen that you all gather round each other to encouage and lift the hurting one up in prayer. So let’s lift Cathy & her son and Sarah up as they come to grips w/their sorrows and challenges. God will see them thru even though it seems impossible right now.
God’s time is not human time [hours, days, minutes, etc.]
Have you found that as HIS time has gone by you are often amazed that what appeared to be life’s biggest heartache or disappointment has turned into something wonderful?
When I think of how I lived before I knew HIM as Lord and Saviour I shudder…..for HE is truly honouring HIS promises and is ‘transforming me and making me into a a person I could never have imagined I would ever be.’
Are there anyone other’s out there who can say Amen to this as well I wonder?
I know a few and I hope you’ll all step up and say Amen. LOL and praising HIM.
Andi
My family is in bad financial trouble and have been for two years now it has been brought to a head. I thank God everyday that we have been able to have food on the table and car to drive to work even though the maintenance has be neglected. This morning I got up and said God how are you able to make more money coming in to my life when all we have is our jobs. Both my children had dentist appointments this morning, the dentist reception said her is a check for a credit you had on your account (they had been in six months) it was a hundred and nine dollars, I would have been grateful for $1.00 on today. God is great.
I am reading a book called One month to live 30 days to a better life by Kerry and Chris Shook. When I was waiting at the Dentist off I read a chapter talking about the same thing and I told my 12 year old that I never thought about my body being the temple for the Holy Spirit. We all take that temple for granted. The book said what we you do if God was coming to your house, wouldn’t you clean and make sure everything was put a way.
Our financial situation is off our own doing, we can blame anyone but ourselves. But when you know better you do better. To be Debt free is my prayer. God is senting my family through this, I can’t wait until by blessing is here. Praise God.
Dearest Sarah….
I want to say another few things. I too, just as Andi wrote, had some well meaning Christians say things that literally knocked me back into the pit, many times.
They would say I didn’t have faith enough or trust God enough… or pray enough. I felt like a total failure as a Christian…..dropped church for three years. I was a very angry young woman…..young, being 45 then… :-)
I had a couple come to our house…wanting to cast demons out of me. I had a (friend?) scream at me one night..to “go ahead and kill yourself…just do it!? she said.
I had several..tell me to “get over it”. At that time, I didn’t even know what I was to “get over”.
People….Christian or non….can be cruel…with pat answers. I’m not sure “all” of them intended to be cruel, but simply didn’t know how to deal with…the way I was then.
Sarah, I don’t understand the pain many of the ladies here deal with every day….but I understand depression. I don’t “know” the heartbreak of losing a child or having a very sick one….but I understand aloneness. I don’t understand how someone could intentionally hurt someone they are supposed to love, but I understand the driven desire to end my life so that I don’t have to “feel” the insane emotions another day.
We are all different in so many ways. I am amazed at some of the women here…..their faith in the midst of their pain and sorrow…….far surpasses mine, but I’m still learning to trust.
I know this….stay with us…..we will love you, pray for you….share and listen.
I thank the Lord for this site….as I am not sure where I would be had it not been for some ladies right here…who prayed me thru some tormenting nights, loved me unconditionally…..and faithfully continue to pray……
Praying for you Sarah……that God will give you understanding….for you and “your” heart and circumstances….We are all individuals, on our own journey thru this world, with different paths….yet the same goal of meeting Him Face to face one Glorious day.
“Lord, we thank you for Your endless mercy…that is new every morning. We thank You for Your sacrifice that we may know You and walk with You. Minister to every women here…young and old……We love You, praise You as we bow down before You and lift each other up in prayer.
SOME VERY ANGRY PEOPLE HER TODAY
this daily devotional.make me realize…God always give the best for us..but sometime we not taken care with good….
Gina, thanks for the explaination. All I can say is WOW! You are now added to my list of Women Who Are Overcomes! And in the Overcoming have found the true ability to rest in our Saviour’s mercy and grace.
Romel, one day you said that you had Sjogren’s as well? I have facial neuralgia and Burning Mouth Syndrome. This is part of the Sjogren’s many faces. It causes Peripherial Nerve Damage. I even have muscles on the bottom of my one foot that are dying due to messages not being sent to them [I used to fall down alot until we figured out what was going on]. There are SO many things wrong w/this little mortal frame my spirit lives in, including the chronic pain, I long for the day when it will be transformed into the body HE has waiting for us all; but in the meantime I live life just as Gina does! LOL and praising HIM! Hallelujah!
Sjogren’s can hit ANY body system.
Cathy, I can sort of understand a tiny bit of your pain for your son’s condition.
I pray God will bring both of you HIS great love and comfort as you both live w/this condition. May HE bless you both in spite of this and draw you both into a deeper relationship of reliance upon HIM for all your needs and bring a satisfying career to your son in which he will feel joy and a sense of accomplishment. May God cause your son to be wise in HIS ways and give him great love and compassion for others. May God use this illness to touch the lives of hundreds of others to draw them to HIS side as they see how you and your son continue to love and trust HIM no matter what. May you both always look to HIM for your completion and joy. In Jesus name. Amen
Correction:
my gums would have suffered a constant hard pressure and blows from the snacks that I liked it so much that I did not shared a good portion but kept it for myself just because it belongs to me.
my gums would have not suffered…. had I shared a good portion….
Correction
and keeping for myself than sharing to my friends I was planning
……..than sharing to my friends as I was planning….
See, we have a verse in the Bible that says, “he that know the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it’s considered a sin. My walk is bare before GOD and the Holy Spirit speaks to us all the time what to do. So the choice is up for us.
Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reap what HE sows.”
Andi, PNH is one of those medical terms that is just too long to be necessary but it stands for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Basically, they discovered when I was 14 that my body was not forming the protein hemoglobin, necessary for red blood cells and membranes. So they stuck me on higher and higher doses of iron. Those of you who take iron can understand the issues that can cause as well. But I kept asking why I had this problem and no one had an answer. I went looking myself and finally was tested. It is a very rare condition, only about 8 to 10k people have it in the world. It’s like living in a painful limbo. I will be fine for days and then pain will shoot in to my back. I have suffered heart failure and kidney failure and pray that I will not have to face transfusions or a bone marrow transplant. No one knows what causes it or even really how to cure it. You go day after day not know is this the day my kidneys or my heart will give out. But I can’t live my life like that. That’s more horrible than the symptoms of the condition itself. LOL sometimes I even think that scientists have no explanation at all and just had to name it something. So what can I do, but live my life, live it well, raise my children and love and honor the Father. Seems like a complete life to me.
Gina, I forgot to ask you; what does PNH mean please?
Yeah, my 2 kids grew up wondering why I hurt so much and couldn’t play at times or let them even sit on my lap. And Amen to the rest of your comments regarding your trust and hope and faith in HIM being an example that others will be attracted to HIM and be drawn to HIM for love, comfort, and mercy and grace to fall upon their lives as well.
Quoting Sarah R:
“Romel-do you really think your illness is a punishment-or something you can control? Or do you think its caused by evil? I don’t understand what you mean when you say you know the cause of it? Please elaborate.”
In my mind, (i don’t know for sure) that if I had shared all those mixtures of nuts and all kinds of hard snacks the way I planned it from the beginning, my gums would have suffered a constant hard pressure and blows from the snacks that I liked it so much that I did not shared a good portion but kept it for myself just because it belongs to me. I did not take good care of my gums and as I did some reading on the cause of the disease, it could be due to damaging tooth extraction, or actions that made the covering of the nerve in my gums disappeared or it could be due to stress. I was thinking I might have been greedy and keeping for myself than sharing to my friends I was planning to share it with in the first place.
Somehow, I felt that I would really only know the cause of my Trigeminal Neuralgia and why GOD healed me from many diseases but Neuralgia. Yet HIS ample grace and love enable me to live a normal life that hose who have this condition do not have. Many are non-functional which is the norm for this condition.
Ah, through discussion it all comes to light. God does not promise us an event free, happy running-through the meadow life. I used to think that if I did everything I was supposed to do, then everything will be alright. That’s a wall I finally stopped beating my head against. Once I finally accepted that, I found peace which is so much better. What good is a healthy body without a healthy spirit?
No we don’t have all the answers. And it is hard, especially when you see others suffer. I know my children don’t understand why Mommy can’t play with them sometimes or why Mommy sleeps for over 24 hours or why Mommy crys because her body hurts so badly. But I hope that my determination and spirit and my faith will lead by example and in that I know that I will serve a purpose.
But I have watched my son suffer from a mental illness that was NOT of his own making. I have seen him rejected by others for something he did not create. He was 11 when it started and he has lost so much because of it. Yes, God has gotten us through some difficult times but when he asks me why, I have no answers for him. His father left us because of it. He is now 16 and still works hard every day to overcome. But he is having to give up his dreams of being a pilot because of the medication he must take. I still have no answers for him.
thank you dr for this devotional,i’ve been going thru a rough patch in my life lately with anxiety and by me praying and putting it in god hands things are really starting to look up i stop smoking cigarettes and other drugs, i still have some days that i get anxiety but i no god is working through me and i know one day he will stop, i truly beleive in our savior jesus christ and i no all things are possible thru him
god bless all
forgot to click on the follow up icon..LOL
Patti, you said it SO well. You were not harsh but spoke ‘directly’ w/love & concnern for Sarah and for the rest of us who come to this place to share our concerns, quetions, and yes even our brokeness and how HE uses brokeness to draw us to HIS side to heal our wounds and as many of us know HE may not heal all our physical illnesses but HE certainly heals our spirits as HE teaches us SO much as we learn to live lives fully committed to HIM in spite of them.
Paul had a ‘thorn in his flesh’ all his life and then think of all the beatings he also endured.
Sarah, I listened to well meaning Christians, my spiritual father and pastor in fact, when I was literally in a marriage that was from the pit. He could not fully understand the complexity of the abuse until my husband lived w/them for 2 weeks.
My pastor/spiritual father came to me seeking my forgiveness for telling me to stay w/him & trust God, to pray and keep being the Biblical ‘believing wife to the unsaved husband.’ He said and I quote, for I have never forgotten his words; “I can not believe you didn’t commit suicide years ago. He manipulates from the moment he wakes up until he goes back to sleep.’
I had anorexia as I just wanted to slowly disappear so as to not exist as I thot that was the only way out.
I was not angry at my pastor/spiritual father;
I am so sorry that things became that critical for you and your life.
I ask for your forgiveness on behalf of those well meaning Christians that encouraged you w/the wrong advice.
It is foolish for us NOT to use modern medicine, etc. as they are God given.
But we too, as Patti has so lovinginly said, need to take responsibilty for our choices as well. God will meet us and HE will help us and often heal us; but HE will always lead and guide w/love, compassion and all HE asks is that we trust& obey in HIS leading.
My friend Margaret has found balance in her relationship w/God. She worked out her anger and I bet she’d never give up the intimacy she now has w/her Lord? This is what HE desires for us all.
On a personal note: aside from anorexia I have had major internal damage from a car accident; 2 whip lashes; bacterial dysentery on the mission field; suffer from Fibromyalgia and many other complications from Sjogren’s Syndrome which is found in most of my body systems.
I learned of God’s mercy and grace at the time of my first horrific car accident. I was one of those people who died and God sent me back. HE could have sent me back whole or even better; but HE chose not to……from then on it has been a life long lesson for me to learn that no matter what I will never stop loving HIM. Well meaning Christians have caused wounds to me on this journey as they preach the ‘heal/wealth/prosperity theology’ which was so prominate 20+ years ago. My husband had to learn to ‘sheild me’ from them.
There were many churches we simply could not attend and I wonder if you have been wounded by well meaning Christians who believe this way as well?
Forgive them Sarah for in forgiveness one finds peace and to extend God’s mercy to those who have hurt us is no small thing!
I also welcome you to what I loving call, in my heart, this “Wonderful Company of Women!”
I hope you will stay and become a part of us.
Andi
Romel-that is what I was saying-it was GOD who wanted me to get help-it was HIS will that I go to that place. Romel-do you really think your illness is a punishment-or something you can control? Or do you think its caused by evil? I don’t understand what you mean when you say you know the cause of it? Please elaborate.
Sarah,
I truly believe and say this in love, that you should go back and read this devotion again…..Dr. Muriel writes “Often” we reap problems, sickness and death because of our own foolishness. We do put things in our bodies at times. Sometimes it is alcohol..sometimes drugs…sometimes…the careless ways we live. When we do these types of things, if we continue in it, we will reap what we sow.
We have choices in some things…other things simply happen. There has been sin in the world since Adam and Eve….We do many things we know aren’t good for us and I believe that is what this devotion is about…..Our choices……more correctly our bad choices when we know it is a bad one or harmful one.
I have never smoked….but I may one day die from lung cancer, however it wasn’t what I put into my body. I had a choice whether to smoke as my parents and many friends did…and chose not to do so. I try to eat healthy and avoid things that we now know cause diseases such as cancer. It is my responsibility to take the best care of my body as possible.
I have a disease of the hands called Dupuytren’s Contracture. It is genetic….nothing I have done. I can accept that and will live with it, get treatment when needed and adapt as best I can. I will not, however…shake my fist at God and blame Him.
I also have an addictive personality, I believe. I used to use alcohol to mask the pain of abuse from childhood. It was my choice to do it. I finally got help…went to a secular counselor, spent quite a bit of time hospitalized….but I faced those abuses and quit using the alcohol, thank God, before I became an alcoholic like my mother. It was my choice.
Now, I am seeing a Christian Counselor. Now I am ready and need spiritual counseling. I want to be used by God and I realize that all those ugly things that happened to me as a child…have shaped me into who I am today. Could I really relate to a sexually abused woman…..one who was abused as I….at a very very young age, had it not happened to me? No…..I accept that now tho……it happened and my prayer is that God will put someone in my path that possibly I can help. I sure can understand what it does to a woman…..and I would never have understood if it hadn’t happened. Did God make that happen to me? No……it was an ungodly man…that I trusted.
Yes, there are may suffering from bad habits and addictions, however….there was a time in their lives, that they “chose” to begin those things. Personally, I do not believe that bulimia is a choice…nor anorexia…not as I understand it. Therefore, I believe it is unfair to respond as you did as well as disrespectful to a caring and Godly woman. We may not always agree that what is written here ..to be true in our lives, however we can take what speaks to our hearts and if it does not, then so be it….the next devotion may.
Please forgive me if I have been to harsh or direct. I don’t mean to be. We wecome you here and welcome discussion. We have had many discussions back and forth and it can give us new insight and perspective.
May God bless you Sarah….I am thankful you found the help you needed and I praise God for that.
“Lord Jesus….I thank you for these women who write the devotions, who read them and those that comment. I praise you for your Word…for it is Truth. Thank you for saving me….for leading me to the right secular counselor when I was so desperate and driven to end my life. Thank you again for preparing my heart to begin a new journey in Christian counseling. Thank you for answering my prayer..to give me the desire to desire more of you. Lord, forgive me if I have been out of line in what I shared here…..convict me of any word I might have said that would displease You.
The doctors gave up on me! I had every test that you can have and yet they cannot find what is wrong with me. I live with chronic pain! My legs use to give out 15-20 times a year! I was told to live a normal life as best I can! All because of falling off of my bike 9 years ago. I was trying to look after myself and stay healthy! I take massage theraphy on a regular basis. I have been annointed many times! I have to realize that my problem isn’t fatal but it is chronic and I try to move on with life. I have asked the questions Why? I have been angry becuase it has taken my livelihood! I have become closer to the Lord!
Thank you so much Dr. M.Larson for the devotional you have given us today. They are all true. Two thumbs up for you!
Romans 8:6-8
“For to be carnally minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD, for it is not subject to the law of GOD nor indeed can be. So then those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD.”
2Peter 1:3-4
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of HIM WHO called us by HIS own glory and goodness. Through these HE has given us HIS great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Psalm 89:34
“I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.”
Romans 3:4
“Let God be true, and every man a liar,”
I agreed with all you said.
I have a trigeminal Neuralgia which according to the doctors are caused by stress but in my heart I know the cause of it. Being an RN there are many things that cannot be explained by Science but in through the stripes of JESUS we are healed. If you watch the Passion of the CHRIST the flogging of JESUS goes beyond 40 stripes. According to Medical Science there are 39 groupings of all diseases known and he 40th are those just discovered or to be discovered. So all diseases were covered with the stripes that JESUS received for our healing. I know so well that our unsurrendered soul is our greatest enemy.
What GOD said are all through in HIS word and GOD has a solution for everything too.
Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man that HE should lie, nor a son of man hat HE should change HIS mind. Does HE speak and not act? Does HE promise and not fulfill?”
quoting Sarah R:
“Finally a dr told me I leterally had days to live and I went against what they were saying and got help from a bunch of non Christians at a treatment facilty who SAVED my life. And that was surrendering for me.”
Sarah, I’m glad that you got help but the whole universe belongs to GOD. GOD in HIS mercy will lead you to where HE can minister HIS healing grace because HE loves you. Nothing that touched our lives has not pass HIS loving hands. What Dr. M. Larson is the good news of the day.
Gina-I will pray for you-thank you for being so personal and real. You are truley a light and I am humbled by and grateful for Christians like you!! You are the reason I haven’t given up on God all together-today you were His voice for me. I’m so so sorry about your health. I will be thinking of you today and in the days to come.. xoxoxoxo Sarah
Oh Shelley-a pharisee yelling a prayer on the corber for all of those “less fortunate” than you-the ones who “don’t understand” God the way you do-the ones who aren’t “as close” to God as you are? I’m sorry but I bet they all prayed for Jesus too when they saw him knocking over the tables-”poor angry overreactive man”. Don’t be so generic-here’s you “oh LORD I see what you are saying”. Oh do you? You see something we don’t? Really. Keep on yelling our those prayers for us poor lowly ones who haven’t reached your wise status form your corner on the street for all of the people who read this to hear without actually addressing anyone or saying anything in particular-stay generic ,pious and safe. Geez you guys! WHat kind of place is this???
I was not always good at taking care of my body but years ago I made the decision to do so. But it is too late, I now suffer from PNH and could die from it. I am sad about it. I am a single mom with 3 children but it will not cause me to turn my faith from God. If it is meant that I should die then so be it. I am preparing for it and making sure my children will be cared for. But many live with this disease, as uncomfortable as it can be. I also found out it is not caused by my behavior, but the weakness of the organs it does affect was caused by my behavior. So there it is. I won’t turn from God but I am not foolish to think that He does not use the unsaved to perform His work as well. The doctors and researchers for this condition may or may not be saved, but may God continue to use them to find relief for those few of us who suffer from it. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yes Lord, I see what You are saying to the people who read this response to giving all to You. I thank You Lord for the people who respond here and sya what is ontheir hearts and mind. Lord I pray for each person that response to the devotional and that Lord You will heal them of this area of theior lives in Jesus Name Amen.
What a bunch of crap. Well, okay it wasn’t ALL crap but geez. There are so many people that suffer from addictions or “bad habits” as you call them and these are real diseases. I almost DIED from bulimia b/c I felt so ashamed and guilty and the Christians in my life kept telling me I had to “let go” and “obey” and that I wasn’t fully “”surrendering”. And I almost died b/c I wouldn’t go get “secular” help. Finally a dr told me I leterally had days to live and I went against what they were saying and got help from a bunch of non Christians at a treatment facilty who SAVED my life. And that was surrendering for me. “Bad Habits” are not always a refusal to obey or trust or follow-sometimes they are aliments and not pruposeful.willful sin. I HATE it when people like you write and say things liek that. Menawhile those people who are struggling wince in shame and retreat into themselves even further. Shame on YOU.
This is so true. We always think we are the victim. God gives us instructions to follow and obey. It is our choice.
wow I never thought of it like that God put this body of mine to do His work