Is life the only thing God gave to those with horrible lives? Is that worth fait

1. 93

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Is life the only thing God gave to those with horrible lives? Is that worth faith?
   
   In a journey to understanding a thought process by many, I see many believe in God because of all he has given them. What about people who have been given nothing and have led a hard life? Are they believing because of only the life (being allowed to be born) they have? It seems some of belief is either conditional (those who have led good lives don't need to question) or something people run to when they have problems. So for those who find no comfort in God during hard times, is their life(birth) the deciding factor for faith? (Question based on the many who claim God gave them life.)

   replyreport
2. 60

   Toytastingposted 11 years ago

   Hi Peeples,
   I believe that situations or problems should never decide one 's faith towards God. It is just that if there comes a problem, there is a reason behind it- To make one more strong and a better person.
   I strongly feel that everyone does not get everything. There is something missing in everyone's life. People who have had good lives, surely have something missing in their lives too. Everybody has their own problems.God tests us and our faith. Our faith should grow even more when we face any hardships in our life. As this faith helps us in overcoming our troubles.
   Hope this answers your question.

   replyreport
3. 0

   its me, Alitaposted 11 years ago

   For me, who experienced hard situations in the past, my faith serves as my strength to go on. I believe that God guides me throughout my journey and whatever it is that I encounter, it is something that will help me grow personally and spiritually.

   replyreport
4. 80

   Steel Engineerposted 11 years ago

   God has done many AMAZING things in my life. Still, I have turned around and done stupid things, made bad decisions, and sometimes even done exactly the thing the Holy Spirit told me not to do.
   
   My own actions, the (poor) choice of friends I made at times, and the churches I joined brought heartache into my life. The devil takes the justification he can to make a claim- and attack.
   
   If you want to enjoy a better life, read scripture and pray regularly. It feeds the spirit, and keeps the mind focused on right things. Treat others well. Be generous with time and resources. Be fair. Ask yourself, "How would I want this to go if I were the other person? What if I loved everyone involved equally and greatly?" Then, decide what to do.
   
   Your life will change.

   replyreport
5. 79

   Chris Nealposted 11 years ago

   I certainly can't speak for all of them but no, what God has given them is the assurance that they can be with Him in Heaven, where all the pain they suffered in this life will be as if it had never been.

   replyreport
   1. 74

      lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But you don't have to wait till you croak to get that gift.
      
      The kingdom is within each of us. God created us in his image and likeness and he is not Homo sapiens. Ego has blinded us from the light.

      replyreport
6. 61

   Dr. Haddoxposted 11 years ago

   I do not know what it feels like to have a horrible life. It must be horrible, no pun intended. I don't know what to answer the question about faith. What is faith worth? Faith is something that you have in order to get something you want. If one cannot get anything they want, and only experience "horror," then I suppose a great question is, "What's the use?"
   Regards,
   Dr. Haddox

   replyreport
7. 55

   souvikm16posted 11 years ago

   First and foremost is the common misconception that we all carry thinking, that God is extra kind to others where as not to some others. That is an absolute misnomer. God gives equal opportunities to everyone at every stage of our lives. However, we fail to capitalize on them. Instead what do we do? we blame our luck However, luck is nothing but a situation when preparation meets opportunity.
   The question of faith is irrespective of the hard times. For a born optimist, even during hard times, his constant prayer to God is only to give him strength to overcome the tough phase. Followers or atheists aside, people who remain positive and have nerves of steel to overcome the tough times and never give up indeed get rewarded in the end. That's the law and rule of life, whether someone likes it or not.
   Where as people who tend to give up and wait for things to happen without actually working hard towards it are the ones who blame God for anything and everything. Blaming God and fate is perhaps the easiest way to conceal our own short-comings and defeats. Instead if someone remains positive and truly believes in his/her abilities, that person is bound to succeed.
   Hence, the answer to your question of whether God has given only life to the ones who are leading a horrible life is No! God has given equal opportunities to everyone. Those who have been positive and have made the right decisions thus grabbing the opportunities are the ones leading a contented life. And those who have been cynical of not just themselves but of the opportunities which came their way are the ones who are leading a not-so-comfortable life.
   We are what we make of our lives. God or any supreme power always shows us the way with opportunities. It's upto us to grab them or not

   replyreport
   1. 93

      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "God gives equal opportunities to everyone at every stage of our lives." What about the children born sick, the people born in third world countries, and so on. Are they really given equal opportunities? Should they have faith just because given life

      replyreport
   2. 55

      souvikm16posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @peeples: Again a perspective, isn't it? For children born sick, that's not the end of the world. They can be cured. Persistence, positivity and belief can work miracles in everyone's lives.  people in 3rd world countries may be happy the way they're

      replyreport
   3. 49

      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was born sick. I had to spend 2 months in the hospital at birth. I also was born illegitimate to a mother who could not care for me. I had leg braces, Asthma, and a few other issues. I sure am glad I am not a horrible life.

      replyreport
   4. 93

      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Eric, while YOU feel you haven't HAD (not ARE)  a horrible life many do have what are horrible lives for them. Many find no peace in the thought of a God. My point to that is what are those people to do.

      replyreport
   5. 59

      TJenkins602posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I disagree with the idea that everyone is given equal opportunities. Even the Bible hints that life is not fair. That is part of the concept of fallen creation to me.
      
      That said, I have a lot of faith in the Lord.

      replyreport
   6. 49

      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are right peeples. Horrible is a state of mind not circumstances. I pray for them and will bring water along the canyon tonight for our homeless. I will try to bring them hope.

      replyreport
   7. 74

      lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Opportunity is partly what we bring to the observation.
      
      If we see problems, we will have only problems. If we see solutions, we will have solutions. We are creators made in His image.
      
      Faith in a crappy life gives you just that.

      replyreport
8. 61

   C.V.Rajanposted 11 years ago

   One of my relatives had problems over problems all through her life. She is a staunch believer in God. Seeing her life of suffering her own children would criticize her for her prayers and faith. "With all your prayers, what has God done for you?" they would ask.
   
   Her reply is "Perhaps, without my faith and prayers, the problems I had to face might have been much more and much stronger in my life! Withe all my sufferings, I have not thought of committing suicide. I still have hopes; that hope to live comes through my prayers".

   replyreport
   1. 74

      lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Beautiful, CV. Patience and humility help to soften the heart. Many a criminal finds the karma of the next life working its magic on them, if they are willing to accept the gift

      replyreport
   2. 57

      Mike Marksposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      things can always be worse, hey, Chris Reeves could have been blind and poor... thank you that only my spine is broken, don't hit me no more.... sounds like fear of God, not love for God, to me,

      replyreport
9. 60

   peteprposted 11 years ago

   Out of all the countless stars in the universe, if you get to be born on Earth, then you've already made it. So you don't have to believe in God. People believe in God for all sorts of reasons depending on where they get their information, what events happened to them, how they were influenced, how they fit into their community and even what they think will happen to them after death. For the ones who live 'horribly' , life may seem like a long time but in reality it is only a brief flash.

   replyreport
   1. 74

      lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And some know God because they know they are not their Homo sapiens vessel. They've experienced being outside and seeing without physical eyes. They have manipulated the universe like Moses parting the sea, or Peter walking on water.

      replyreport
10. 53

    Tony L Smithposted 11 years ago

    I came to God  because I needed some answers. I really felt my life was horrible. Confusion about who I was and just plain hopelessness concerning any future. was my state of being. I started to believe the good news about life, God's truth. I stayed still in that horrible state of being for the most part till the day of encounter. I will leave out most of the details for now, but the results of that morning was as night and day. Every question I had immediately fell to the ground as answered. New eyes of perception filled my being. I was new in a flash. I know that may seem fairy tale like to many, but it happened.
    I still live with situations etc.. that may try to drive me back into hopelessness, so I have used my faith (ability to believe) to change my world piece by piece. I know I will always face hard times etc.., but now I have an 'ACE in the hole'

    replyreport
    1. 76

       cynthtggtposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I like all the replies to this question, but your response was grand to read.

       replyreport
    2. 69

       BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Very well said.

       replyreport
    3. 74

       lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Beautiful, Tony. I too have felt overwhelming despair, and found the warm embrace of God comforting me. One of those times it led to a miracle every bit as powerful as that of Moses parting the sea. Thousands of people witnessed it. Blessings.

       replyreport
11. 68

    peanutroasterposted 11 years ago

    The worst off you are in life the more you need to believe that perhaps its "god's plan" and that in some kind of afterlife things will be better for some reason.  Its a lot of wishful thinking but perhaps it makes life bearable for those with hard lives.
    
    Church leaders understand this and turn their attention to third world countries for new recruits - less education and worse off conditions make for easy converts.

    replyreport
    1. 84

       gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Spot on answers, that is why religions attract the poor and uneducated. They inculcate them with the premise that poverty is sooo good whereas the more educated and affluent oftentimes see the inanely utter folly of religion.

       replyreport
    2. 68

       peanutroasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yup and one only has to look at Bible Belt to see that more religion doesn't increase the quality of life here on good old earth.  More religious states have more people on welfare, more divorces,  less healthcare, higher obesity rates etc.

       replyreport
    3. 49

       Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       This comment is completely disgusting. Because it has the ring of truth. People need to make religion a walk down the street to love and help who they see. I got lucky today. I had an extra fiver. And there was Jenny the drunk. I got to give it toher

       replyreport
    4. 68

       peanutroasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You gave money to someone named "Jenny the Drunk"?  Might as well just send it directly to the Boons Farm Winery or to your local non-profit hospital where she will end up in the emergency room soon.

       replyreport
    5. 49

       Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That shows a very sad lack of understanding stemming from stereotyping. Jenny has been clean for a year, but has trouble staying on her meds so she gets low blood sugar and disoriented. The name just stuck.

       replyreport
    6. 74

       lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Sad, peanut. Gautama Siddhartha was a prince and walked away from wealth to find out spiritual wisdom. He chose a hard life and then a medium life, because it led him to spiritual awakening. Something impossible for a human body.

       replyreport
12. 49

    Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

    Your question is worrisome. "all He has given them". This term is not to be used in the material sense. If God is loved because of material things then that person is actually loving the thing. I do not suggest we should not be thankful for what we have. Phil. 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
    
    "horrible lives" I have never seen a horrible life. I would never tell someone they are a horrible life. What a notion!

    replyreport
    1. 93

       peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Again they aren't a horrible life, they have lived a horrible life. Two seperate things.

       replyreport
    2. 49

       Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       In other words their life is horrible? I do not think life can ever be horrible. Life is full of bad and good but suffering is optional. What woe can lead a man to thinking his life is horrible. Life imprisonment? Disease? Starvation?

       replyreport
    3. 74

       lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Beautiful, Eric. Any hardship can be viewed either as a gift or as a burden.
       
       Numbers 14:18 tells us this. The criminal can take his karma as a cherished gift and be free of their crimes, or as a burden and be condemned to repeat them

       replyreport
    4. 49

       Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Way cool. "Because I did wrong today I am condemned to do wrong tomorrow."???  I do not think soooo. My ego is mine. I am not my ego's. I am not bound by things given, but maybe by things taken.

       replyreport
13. 73

    CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago

    Hi Peeples!
    I don't believe any of us are born believers.
    
    I believe we are "saved" through our belief in Jesus, that he died on the cross for our sins, and he rose again. 
    
    We are born because a seed and an egg are fertilized.  Believing is a choice.
    
    I believe because it gives me hope for an eternal life.  Hope that I don't have in things of this world.
    
    I hope that helps.

    replyreport
14. 59

    christicueposted 11 years ago

    Hi peeples, You said, "I see many believe in God because of all he has given them." There's an irony here because your perspective of what that statement means, I think, is material gain, or even the fact that they were born. Also, possibly the idea that they are able to enjoy life because their circumstances are pleasant. However, the "life" they are referring to is the spiritual life that comes as the result of freedom from slavery to sin and death. When you are "born" again as a Christian, your whole perspective changes! Material things no longer hold the same attraction and the draw to sin is either greatly diminished or no longer there at all. When we recognize that we're all sinners deserving of death from a perfect, holy, Godly standard, we realize the burden Christ carried by taking on that death in our place. Peeples, can I tell you something I know for certain? If I were the only one on earth, Jesus would have had to die for me in order for me to live eternally with him. Since it is true that there is no one perfect, not even one, it is true that every last one of us deserves death because we've sinned and nothing sinful can stand in the presence of a holy God. In addition, Jesus, the only perfect man, God incarnate, died for every last one of us. He would have done it if it were just for me...he did it just for you, too. Do you see? He didn't deserve the punishment of death like the rest of us, but he took it so that we would have the opportunity to have "life." This "life" is the gift that makes every breath beautiful, every moment one to cherish. Only when we live for Jesus are we fulfilled in that moment. Christians enjoy life not because they have every material thing they want or because circumstances are pleasant, but because life gains new purpose and meaning when you live it focused on the one who saved you from the grips of sin and death. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man can come unto the Father but by me." He also said, "know the truth and the truth will set you free," and, "when the Son sets you free you will be free indeed." (John 14:6; 8:32, 36)

    replyreport
15. 69

    BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years ago

    I do not believe in God for what He has or has not given me.  I believe in God because I've known of His existence since I was 5. Not because of who showed me what or what I was taught. I was looking up at the clouds and walking around our property, an 80 acre farm. 
    
    The Bible is full of many people who lived a life of pain. Job is one for sure. But in each situation, obedience to God seemed to turn situations around. 
    
    I believe if one asks God to reveal Himself to them, He will.  I also believe that if everything was perfect, we wouldn't need to depend on Him.  I think God wants us to depend on Him because we are His children.
    
    When I go to a funeral where there is no faith evident, it seems so very sad and final.  When I go to a funeral where there is faith, there is celebration more than sorrow. 
    
    Trials come to strengthen our faith.  Like many problems in life, whether you are a believer or not, attitude is everything.  We can lie in self pity and choose to stay in the problem or we can focus on solutions.  Being negative helps no one and sucks life out of the atmosphere.  (Every been somewhere and there is that one person that is so negative and miserable, they suck the life out of the room?).
    
    Many times when I have not, it's because I asked not (Scriptural).  It has nothing to do with what God gives us or doesn't give us.  He has three answers to prayer, Yes, No and Not right now. 
    
    Sometimes we are just weak and undiscipled.  We talk to God about situations last, not first.
    
    For someone who has nothing, it's usually from choices they have made because the God I know supplies all of my needs.  Not my wants, my NEEDs.
    Though I have faced many trials in my lifetime, I can see that much of it was my own doing.

    replyreport
16. 74

    lone77starposted 11 years ago

    Two people with identical backgrounds and lives could suffer the same illness.
    
    One could grumble and complain, saying how cruel life has been and how bad other people have treated them.
    
    The other person could make jokes and bring smiles to those around him, where possible.
    
    One person is a victim who selfishly feels that the rest of the world owes him something.
    
    The other person is a creator of joy and love and freely gives to others.
    
    Who do the hospital staff admire? The complainer, or the jokester?
    
    Ego is the difference. Ego is the viewpoint and worldview that considers self to be separate and needy. When real tragedy happens to them, they take it far harder than those who are willing to forgive.
    
    With perfect responsibility, there is no room for blame. But how can a person take responsibility for the crimes of others. They simply do. By that simple act, they can no longer be victim.
    
    God's children are not Homo sapiens. But within each Homo sapiens is a child of God. God's children look just like Him/Her/It. Immortal, spiritual, non-physical and a source of creation.
    
    Why do we admire the hero? Because the hero is unselfish (no ego). The hero doesn't brag (no ego). The hero is generous with their time and their life (no ego).
    
    If you look only at your physical life, you miss the entire picture. God created us in His image and likeness and He is not Homo sapiens.
    
    Now, faith, as I use it is the perfection of confidence, like that used by Peter when he stepped out of his storm-tossed boat onto the unsettled Sea of Galilee. For a moment, he walked on water, because, as a child of God, he had that ability, as do we all. But such perfection of confidence is not an easy state to hold, when ego and doubt are so well-practiced.
    
    Faith, as I've used it here, is a state of generosity -- as the Buddhists call it, paramita generosity -- the perfection of generosity which has no hint of selfishness -- the perfect one-sided coin.

    replyreport
    1. 61

       C.V.Rajanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Faith as perfection of confidence - very novel and striking expression indeed. Inspiring.

       replyreport
17. 60

    jstfishinmanposted 11 years ago

    There is a misconception of Christians being less educated and of lowly means, that has been expounded upon by "The Elite" of the world for a long time. The average intelligence of Christians and non-christians is the same. The average income of Christians appears to rise one income bracket over non-christians of the same age and education. That stems from Christians helping and buying from each other.
    To say someone has a horrible life, is an opinion, based on the judgement of someone outside a situation, looking in. Our lives will get better or worse, depending a lot on the kind of people we hang around with. pessimists and complainers tend to keep company with each other. Motivators and optimists tend to keep company with each other.
    I know that there are many, that would say I've had a hard life. I have struggled with alcohol, drugs and other addictive behavior. My wife and I were involved in a head-on collision in 1988, that triggered depression and triggered fibromyalgia in my wife. Many would say we've had a horrible life, but we look back on all our trials as worth it. God has blessed us with ministries that have helped others find Christ and a way out of their addictions. We have stayed committed to each other and our God though it all for 33 yrs.
    We still love and care for each other and those we come in contact with. God has always provided for us with money left over to help others. That is all that is necessary in life.
    I am going to add a few generalities that don't apply to everyone, but in my 58 yrs., I have witnessed time and again.
    As far as education and I.Q. or intelligence is concerned, our educational system indoctrinates people into liberalism and humanism. These are ideas that our young people come out of school with.
    After people have been in the real world, where hard work and initiative kick in, do you see eyes open to the conservative and Christian way of life.
    In good times and bad, I still praise God. I rededicate my life to Jesus Christ every day as I go into battle against the Son of Darkness, Satan.
    May God's light shine on you, as it has on me!

    replyreport
18. 60

    nightwork4posted 11 years ago

    Nothing proves the strength of foolish beliefs like people who's live had been horrible but they still think some god is great. if your life has been amazing and you worked hard to get there but you give credit to some god, it's foolish. if you state that though your life has been hard but without some god it would have been worse, well you seriously need to give your head a shake. if there was a loving god, the world wouldn't be how it is, it's that simple.

    replyreport
    1. 79

       Chris Nealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       ON the other hand if you've seen amazing things that no amount of work on your part could have produced, or been produced by any human, and you fail to wonder if there isn't a God, let alone give credit, then you're poverty is great indeed.

       replyreport
19. 73

    Dan Barfieldposted 11 years ago

    To quote Eckhart Tolle:
    
    "Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could spare them from all suffering?  No, it wouldn't.  They would not evolve as human beings and would remain shallow, identified with the external form of things.  Suffering drives you deeper."
    
    In a way - suffering is a gift. Not a pleasant experience for sure - but all suffering is an opportunity for growth and transformation in some way. At least - this has always been true in my own experience and in the experience of others that I have witnessed.
    
    ... The thing is. I know this should always be the case. However, there are some people who don't seem to learn or grow? How do we know what the lesson was supposed to be? Do some not learn as easily? Or is it a lesson for the soul that can only be understood at the end of earthly suffering? It is complicated - that's a definite.
    
    I'm not given to biblical quoting as a rule - but one saying seems relevant to this area. Jesus says:
    
    It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven.
    
    What I take from this is not that rich people are bad or selfish due to their wealth. They are unfortunate - because their material wealth distracts them from truth and binds them to this plane of existence. The weak and the sick and the poor suffer - in this they are blessed because they are forced to introspection and to searching for a deeper inner truth. They will find the Kingdom of Heaven far sooner than the rich man.
    
    Blessed are the persecuted...

    replyreport
20. 57

    Mariaaries22posted 11 years ago

    God sent his only son Jesus to die so that we all could have a chance to at salvation. It is not God who GIVES us horrible lives but God who allows us to choose at our own will to live gracefully in the arms of Jesus Christ or to live in the arms of the worldly things which will ultimately lead to "horrible" lives or graceful lives lived. God never puts in front of us what we can not handle so don't lose faith if you're not living as great as you would like cause its having God's love and peace in your heart that will make the difference of feeling empty or complete.

    replyreport
21. 72

    Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

    Hmm, I see where you are coming from. 
    
    God is an enigma, I have no idea what God was thinking when he put me on this planet. My life has been so full of ups and downs some days my  head spins. 
    That said, I have faith in God as Krshina the speaker of the Bhagavad-GIta, because this questioned is answered.
    
    Karma is part of the answer.  The soul is eternal and has taken many many births, and based on what we have done in our past lives, we end up in the condition that we are in now.  I also have to add, that there are hells so horrific, that the suffering we have on earth would seem like paradise compared to the level of suffering that is possible throughout the universe.
    
    So why have faith.  Have faith that things will get better in this life if you make an attempt to reestablish a good relationship with God. Things will get better, first the heart and the mind has to want to change things for the better with full determination.
    
    A great book to read is BHagavad-GIta as it is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
    
    Best wishes

    replyreport
22. 75

    Oztinatoposted 10 years ago

    This is the "Blame God Paradox" whereby an atheist blames God for things: this is a proof of Gods existence or a negative proof of god.
    Fascinating.

    replyreport