I've got a problem with my "Faith"

[LadyNina]

Okay. I'm not a religious freak or anything, but I grew up catholic, and somewhat still am.

But, and big but here... I'm really in a dilemma.

My grandmother is old school. She's 84 years old. She's attended church practically every day of her life. Her son, my uncle, is even a priest. She's one of the holiest people I know.

Last week, we found out that she's got cancer. It leaves me with awful thoughts, and it really makes me wonder if there really is a God. I know that some will say that this kinda thing happens, but OMG.. WHY HER?????

I'm beginning to become a "non" believer because of this. I'm thinking that if there really was a God, he surely wouldn't have picked my grandmother out of all the other people who have been "less faithful" to him.

I don't think I'm really looking for anyone's "advice". I just needed to let off some steam, and thought that this was the place to do it at this time.

It's so sad. I'm so down about it, and I really don't know what to think about the whole God thing right now.

[GRUMPY]

From what I can gather it works like this; in cases where its illnesses (or other things like it) you're not supposed to blame God because he can't (or won't) interfere with our lives as it is all a test. However if its about good stuff (like winning the 649 etc.) then you're supposed to thank him for helping you out. But what do you want from modern mythology any how?

[LadyNina]

lol I've always thought that you aren't supposed to ask to win at gambling. But, you can pray that God will keep you healthy.. or something along those lines.
Isn't gambling supposed to be a sin?

[Soundbear]

So what does Grandma say about her situation? She's the one being most affected, how's her faith doing??

[IamMe77]

ok its understandable how you feel I lost my GRANDPARENTS a few years ago or more now and also a cousin who committed suicide. I know you have those feelings Im sure we all do we are human.
However think about it this way as sad as it is for you and for me and for people left behind GOD LOVED AND LOVES YOU AND HER so much that Im sure shell be in heaven when she dies and theres no greater place then to be with JESUS. JESUS DIED FOR US ALL HE LOVES ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my. Yips.. I know this is hard.
I lost my mother when I was 8 yrs old. My life was altered forever by that event. I have no idea who I would be today if things had been different.

But it has been this way ever since Adam. People die. Every one of us die.

We do not believe that God is like a tooth fairy, or a sort of Aladdin's lamp.. rub the lamp and wish away all pain and sorrow and tears.

That's not how it works.

God did not put us here so that He could be a cosmic vending machine for us, where if we push the rght buttons he gives us what we wish for; He put us here so that we could serve one another and Him.

You've had a wrong perspective of God from the start. If you have lost faith in that kind of God, join me. I don't believe in that kind of God either.

God is not a cosmic kind of Uncle who makes everything turn out right for us.

God wants to reconcile people to himself in order to make them ready for eternity. Your grandmother sounds like she is ready to go. Let her go. And thank God for the rich life she has had.

And give God credit, instead of blaming Him when things do not go according to your desires.

But to quit believing that He exists, because someone you love dies.. well, there's something contradictory about that.

[LadyNina]

I don't think I'm so mad because she got Cancer. It runs in the family pretty much, and it was almost "expected". What really makes me angry is that she's already been through so much.

If it's her time, then why can't he just take her in her sleep, with out all of the suffering she is doing, and will be doing? It just seems so darn unfair, and she really doesn't deserve it. (imo)

I dunno.. I know everyone dies. It just feels that she's been betrayed from the God she has worshiped and trusted all her 84 years. She's in alot of pain.

I don't know how she feels right now in the "faith" department. I don't believe that she has lost her faith in God, but I do know that she's not sleeping at night, she's worrying so much about the surgery she's going to be having, and she's really worried about her family.. because she knows we are all hurting so much because of it.

[Soundbear]

"I don't believe that she has lost her faith in God.."

Ask her why not, and tell her why you ask.

[LadyNina]

Thank you for that suggestion. It's obviously the best thing to do.

I feel so angry and stupid that I never thought of it. /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif Maybe I'm thinking more about me than about what really matters here.
A talk would probably be great for both of us. A good cry would probably help too.

I sent her a gorgeous bouquet of flowers last week, and it totally brightened her day. I'm sure a good talk would as well.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that we never think of doing.

[GRUMPY]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YIPS RAWKS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Isn't gambling supposed to be a sin? </div></div>

Ever hear of bingo?

[LadyNina]

haha I was there tonight. /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif Never said "I" didn't sin. But I don't think my grandma has very much. /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

[Larimar]

I didn't read every post so forgive me if sm ethings are repeated.


In my belief system we chose difficulties because when we learn from hard times our souls progress for God and sometimes those souls who are fairly progressed already go through dificulties to teach others around them a lesson.
What lesson? It's something personal and only they know.
perhaps your grandmother is teaching others faith in this life, and showing how it is possible even to those who do not have it easy.
Imagine how easy it is to worship a God who caters to your every need? It's not a very strong faith if it comes easy. It's not a test from God, but it could be a lesson her own soul wants to go through. Something we can't understand here on Earth in great detail.
We hate to see people suffer and it is a horrible thing to go through. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Knowing each difficulty has a purpose for people isn't even a comfort for me, as I know I'd rather be living in a perfect world as well.

I think though, when we were all with God we never knew real faith, we never appreciated loving others b.c there was no loss, and we couldn't appreciate health, or our good feelings, we couldnt practice compassion b.c nobody needed it, we couldnt discover anything b.c there was no need of a cure and there was no need to share b.c everyone was full.
How is that a good soul?
If we heard a soul never shares, never experiences compassion, never gives to anyone, never encourages anyone, never appreciates love..we'd say omg ..what a negative person...

We really need to have pains and sufferings to learn and appreciate and to be compassionate and share and love to the fullest..at least, we do in my opinion.

I think your Grandma can either give up or she can fight and live her life now to the fullest and with her faith strong-as that will teach others a lot and help show others that faith isn't about living easy and getting it all.

I do believe in KARMA, but not in the way that people think. It's not about merely doing good and getting good things or doing bad and getting bad things. But it's about experiences and learning, not punishment.
For example, I may be the poor man on the streets being sued by some wealthy man-and a judge takes away the only thing I have..maybe it's a dog...(details not needed).
Next life i'm the judge...but somtthing inside me feels merciful to the poor man..b.c I have an experience like that..i've learned from it. Neither person bad or good..just on different paths and different understandings.

Can pertain to this life/same life

for example, If I was asked to donate to MS and I said..mmmm nope! not important to me right now.. a family member of mine may have chosen to get MS to teach me compassion, that i'm wrong..
I find out someone has it, and now I understand the reasons to give and help.

Though life lessons can be small and significant , they can be hugely complicated and meet a wide range of lessons and reasons..
I'm just not able to know them.

I think your grandmother can chose to touch the hearts of many ppl and touch many ppls lives with her difficulties and struggles... that's the difference between those who give up and those who don't. The ones who don't give up- progress..and they learn..and "graduate" spiritually.

It isn't God's doing..it is ours.

Take the story of adam and eve as symbolic for a minute.

Eve bit the fruit to gain knowledge... it brought sin.

Now could that be symbolic for us coming down from a perfect place/heaven b.c we wanted to learn-from good and sin/sufferings. ?

I don't mind that others wont agree with me..i'm not religious so I'm not catering to the christians views...just my humble opinion. /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif