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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bleauberry on August 14, 2011, at 16:02:25
It's hard to have any kind of faith when at the bottom of a dark dungeon. I curse God, accuse Him of being cruel, and think the whole Jesus story is bogus.
When I'm feeling better, those feelings are totally gone. On rare good days I am on my knees praising Him with thanks. I think that's wrong, maybe I should be thanking Him everyday no matter what? It's hard isn't it, when everything seems to suck.
I am totally convinced there are powerful spiritual battles going on all around us. We can't see them any more than we can see magnetism, electricity, or ultra violet wavelengths. But we can sure feel them.
The evil ones win some battles along the way. But they will lose the war. God wins, no doubt about it.
I just wish He could wave a magic wand now and then for us all. Actually, He can. Why He doesn't, I don't know. Clearly His ways are far beyond our comprehension. I guess if we had clear proof, it wouldn't be faith would it? His Kingdom is to be inhabited by those who had faith, even in the face of lack of proof.
I've never seen a miracle healing. I've heard of them. I've read of some. They probably happen, but I've never seen it in anyone in my circles. I would like to.
God has been the most help to me in keeping His word about wisdom....He says if we ask for it He gives it. Maybe that way He doesn't directly conquer our enemies, but gives us what we need to do it ourselves? Enemies that otherwise would defeat us badly. In terms of psychiatry, maybe that means a "chance" happening of hearing about or seeing "the" supplement meant for us, or a strange "coincidence" that plays a major role in our healing, or something, or maybe just an inner unexplainable instinct to just "know" something. Or, sigh, maybe the result of a lot of failed trials and errors. :-)
Does anyone know if Adam will be in Heaven? (kidding) Because if he is I'm going to ask him what the hell were you thinking and then I'm going to kick his *ss (kidding). :-)
You know how people habitually always say, "have a good day". I find that to be an insult when said to a psych patient. That's like telling a street person, "make a million bucks today", and not even meaning it, just words of habit. A much better line is, "I hope you have a smooth day." I use that one all the time with everyone. They remember it and they know I meant it.
I was thinking of God when I wrote this song and made this video...it actually starts off on the tail end of one song but then quickly leads into the song I'm talking about. That's me on the guitar. This is the kind of song where you can feel like closing your eyes and raising your hands in the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4CEL3gQ9vU
Author....God, performer....me.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2011, at 23:11:59
In reply to Random thoughts on faith..., posted by bleauberry on August 14, 2011, at 16:02:25
Faith doesn't come easily to me. It's easy for me to see God's hand in the universe. It's far harder for me to recognize God's hand in my life. Particularly when I'm hurting.
"I do believe; help my unbelief." is a prayer that really resonates with me.
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 25, 2011, at 19:49:28
In reply to Re: Random thoughts on faith... » bleauberry, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2011, at 23:11:59
I try not to question God too much. I was raised Calvinist, so I think that if you're a Christian, its because God chose to save you from Hell on earth and Hell in the afterlife. Its a gift that nobody deserves. I believe in the Westminster Confession the phrase they use is something like "God saved us for His good pleasure."
Anyway, I understand that many doubt and some turn away from the faith. I personally find going to the New Testament, from the Gospels on to Jude (I don't do Revelations just yet) is inspiring. The miracles of the Gospel, the basics of Christianity as laid out by Paul...its all so beautiful.
Posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on September 13, 2011, at 10:46:44
In reply to Re: Random thoughts on faith... » bleauberry, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2011, at 23:11:59
> Faith doesn't come easily to me. It's easy for me to see God's hand in the universe. It's far harder for me to recognize God's hand in my life. Particularly when I'm hurting.
>
> "I do believe; help my unbelief." is a prayer that really resonates with me.Psalm 43 echoes a lot of the feelings about feeling abandoned:
God, you are my strength.
Why have you rejected me?
Why am I sad
and troubled by my enemies?I find the Psalms to really reflect some deeply important feelings that are very relevant to many of the issues we face today.
Jay
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2011, at 13:39:43
In reply to Re: Random thoughts on faith... » Dinah, posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on September 13, 2011, at 10:46:44
I find the Psalms fascinating, and beautiful. The humanity in them transcends time and culture. People haven't changed all that much in the basic wants and needs.
I think I rarely experience feeling abandoned by God. My feelings of separation are far cooler than that, more of distance than of distress.
Which is, I fear, a manifestation of my own personality rather than anything about God. I have often had trouble maintaining an emotional connection.
But God created me that way, so I suppose I shouldn't despise myself for it. Just strive to do better.
This is the end of the thread.
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