Do You Ever Doubt?

[MadParrotWoman]

I confess I sometimes doubt that God exists...just sometimes when I hear stuff on the news, children being raped and slaughtered, beheaded for the "sin" of worshipping Jesus. Why would a good loving God who can perform miracles allow such atrocities? How can this be for God's plan, for His purposes? I find this hard to understand.

Is it just me?

 

[Bate]

It is at times confusing indeed, but it requires understanding and knowing HIM the more.

 

[T_Laurich]

Jesus Christ is amazing... The Holy Spirit is wonderful.... God is dazzling...

 

[Nicee]

I havent had a single doubt all my life maybe it bc of my history n background.On top of that im not a fan of (tv)news. They dont know the word "goodnews" at all. There are 100s of good news in the world but ull never hear of them bc it doesnt get too much attentions like a bad news.

 

[Gandalf]

MPW, the moral questions are the hardest because we are living in a society with a Greek mindset. As soon as we understand the Hebrew mindset of YHWH Elohim we will start to understand all of the moral problems as well. It is so difficult for us to understand especially if we are from an atheist back ground because we were always in the flesh and now we have to act in the spirit. Keep the faith and in times like these just praise and worship God and I am sure that he will show Himself to you…

PS I am not saying you are from an atheist back ground I was actually thinking out loud (if that make sense? )

 

[Gandalf]

I havent had a single doubt all my life maybe it bc of my history n background.On top of that im not a fan of (tv)news. They dont know the word "goodnews" at all. There are 100s of good news in the world but ull never hear of them bc it doesnt get too much attentions like a bad news.

Well good for you

 

[oldthennew]

this world is actually being ruled by the 'god' of this world,
until the time of Christ's return when the Kingdom shall be the Lords.

there was no dispute when the devil said that
'I will give you all the kingdoms of this world', to the Lord.
as long as the rulers of the powers of darkness sit in these high places,
they will perpetually bear the fruits of wickedness and all evils.

we must let our Light shine brightly in this present evil world,
and pray fervently, 'Thy Kingdom Come'.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

MPW, the moral questions are the hardest because we are living in a society with a Greek mindset. As soon as we understand the Hebrew mindset of YHWH Elohim we will start to understand all of the moral problems as well. It is so difficult for us to understand especially if we are from an atheist back ground because we were always in the flesh and now we have to act in the spirit. Keep the faith and in times like these just praise and worship God and I am sure that he will show Himself to you…

PS I am not saying you are from an atheist back ground I was actually thinking out loud (if that make sense? )

You are right I am from an atheist background!

Thank you to everyone for your understanding. I already feel better and I always do when I confront my feelings and get replies such as these so thanks all.

 

[JesusLives]

I confess I sometimes doubt that God exists...just sometimes when I hear stuff on the news, children being raped and slaughtered, beheaded for the "sin" of worshipping Jesus. Why would a good loving God who can perform miracles allow such atrocities? How can this be for God's plan, for His purposes? I find this hard to understand.

Is it just me?

No - It is not just you. There are times I question myself and God. What is taking You so long? When is enough, enough? When are You coming? Why don't You show Yourself like You did back in Egypt? Please reveal Yourself to our Atheist friends.? Are You real or am I nuts for believing in You?

I think about these questions and then I toss them aside not because I am trying to bury my head in the sand, but because I know that my God is faithful and trustworthy and has given His All for me and everyone else in the world. He had a plan and He implemented it in sending Jesus His Son to die for me and the rest of the world to pay the horrible price for the wages of sin which was/is Death. Jesus Died so that I/We might Live eternally and to be reconciled with God the Father.

These doubts are planted in us by the enemy as he/satan wants us to not trust and believe in God. satan wants us to doubt our Creator. But satan is a defeated foe and he knows it and it is the reason he tries to get us to doubt. He wants to take as many of us with him as he can. I say let satan fail and for us to keep our eyes on Jesus who can erase all doubt.

God does reveal Himself to us daily if we would just take a look around us. Mostly in nature there is still a lot of beauty there even though we live in a sin sick world. Flowers are just one thing that I look at an marvel at the layers of a rose opening, or lilies how beautiful they are. The stars at night that light up the sky take my breath away looking at the vastness of space above and wondering just where is it that you live right now God? I will wait on You Father What else can I do? But wait.

 

[GaryA]

I confess I sometimes doubt that God exists...just sometimes when I hear stuff on the news, children being raped and slaughtered, beheaded for the "sin" of worshipping Jesus. Why would a good loving God who can perform miracles allow such atrocities? How can this be for God's plan, for His purposes? I find this hard to understand.

Is it just me?

The age-old question --- "Why does God allow pain and suffering?" ...

A few thoughts:

~ He must allow it - in order to allow for people to love Him out of free will.

( Please don't anyone turn the thread into a free-will debate. )

~ He has "set things up" ( according to His own will ) in a way that guarantees that every soul will glorify Him forever --- either, willingly - as a voluntary choice -- or, by default - by "the smoke of their torment" in the lake of fire ( Revelation 14:11 ).

In the "big picture" -- it is all about Him.

~ He must allow the "full course" of Satan's folly so that the "full punishment" may fall upon him in due time.




I am not sure that there has ever been a time in my life ( that I can remember ) when I doubted God's existence.

 

[dalconn]

Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and
said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 

[Leannaix]

I confess I sometimes doubt that God exists...just sometimes when I hear stuff on the news, children being raped and slaughtered, beheaded for the "sin" of worshipping Jesus. Why would a good loving God who can perform miracles allow such atrocities? How can this be for God's plan, for His purposes? I find this hard to understand.

Is it just me?

I doubted once. So I decided to find reasons and evidence supporting why god exists. Instead I found that there was non and stopped believing. Now I'm an atheist. So I guess people fearing doubt have legitimate fears. It can lead to losing one's faith.

 

[crossnote]

MPW, the moral questions are the hardest because we are living in a society with a Greek mindset. As soon as we understand the Hebrew mindset of YHWH Elohim we will start to understand all of the moral problems as well. It is so difficult for us to understand especially if we are from an atheist back ground because we were always in the flesh and now we have to act in the spirit. Keep the faith and in times like these just praise and worship God and I am sure that he will show Himself to you…

PS I am not saying you are from an atheist back ground I was actually thinking out loud (if that make sense? )

oh? Is that why the Hebrews also fell into idolatry and immorality? No, we have the mind of Christ.

 

[Chapel]

I have never doubted the existence of God, but have often questioned His character, as portrayed by Christian beliefs. People like to tell themselves that His every thought and action is done with the betterment of mankind in mind. But if you read the Old Testament, you discover that this is not always the case; many of His actions...many downright cruel...we're for His own self-glorification. This is not bashing the Lord, but it is true; and anyone who denies that is delusional.

While the Lord IS good, there are other questionable aspects of His character that we cannot, and are not meant to ever understand. I am finding that out the hard way.

As difficult as it is at times, because His ways are greater than ours, we have to try to believe that the things He allows (even the horrific things), have some sort of significance. Even if we don't agree with or understand what that significance is.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

I have never doubted the existence of God, but have often questioned His character, as portrayed by Christian beliefs. People like to tell themselves that His every thought and action is done with the betterment of mankind in mind. But if you read the Old Testament, you discover that this is not always the case; many of His actions...many downright cruel...we're for His own self-glorification. This is not bashing the Lord, but it is true; and anyone who denies that is delusional.

While the Lord IS good, there are other questionable aspects of His character that we cannot, and are not meant to ever understand. I am finding that out the hard way.

As difficult as it is at times, because His ways are greater than ours, we have to try to believe that the things He allows (even the horrific things), have some sort of significance. Even if we don't agree with or understand what that significance is.

You are SO right. I have spoken to the Lord about this in prayer today - that I can never expect to understand His ways, that even trying to do so is foolish. That we have simple human minds that cannot begin to unravel His mind or His ways. I told Him that I hope to one day understand the things I as yet do not. I asked for forgiveness for sometimes doubting - it was a very emotional prayer.

Everyone here has been so kind and understanding with their comments. I love this community.

 

[T_Laurich]

I doubted once. So I decided to find reasons and evidence supporting why god exists. Instead I found that there was non and stopped believing. Now I'm an atheist. So I guess people fearing doubt have legitimate fears. It can lead to losing one's faith.

What "evidence" made you loose faith? You might want to enlighten us, so we are not stuck believing a lie... I do not believe in God because it's feel good medicine...

 

[T_Laurich]

I have never doubted the existence of God, but have often questioned His character, as portrayed by Christian beliefs. People like to tell themselves that His every thought and action is done with the betterment of mankind in mind. But if you read the Old Testament, you discover that this is not always the case; many of His actions...many downright cruel...we're for His own self-glorification. This is not bashing the Lord, but it is true; and anyone who denies that is delusional.

While the Lord IS good, there are other questionable aspects of His character that we cannot, and are not meant to ever understand. I am finding that out the hard way.

As difficult as it is at times, because His ways are greater than ours, we have to try to believe that the things He allows (even the horrific things), have some sort of significance. Even if we don't agree with or understand what that significance is.

I think the understanding that all trespasses are against God... Gives great insight and justification into the "murder" of certain groups... Such as Sodom and Gomorrah, or the people following Moses... If the punishment for unholiness is death, then it justifies murder... If God gives someone a plague instead, that is kinda grace because they deserved death...

For instance, if I killed a person, but instead of getting a death sentence I got whipped 5 times... That is a lighter punishment than death.

 

[psychomom]

I confess I sometimes doubt that God exists...just sometimes when I hear stuff on the news, children being raped and slaughtered, beheaded for the "sin" of worshipping Jesus. Why would a good loving God who can perform miracles allow such atrocities? How can this be for God's plan, for His purposes? I find this hard to understand.

Is it just me?

MPW, i am so foolish i've actually had times where i was talking TO God asking if He was there.

thank God, He knows our weaknesses. thank God, Jesus took on human flesh and frailty
and was tempted in all things just as we are tempted.

thank God, He always lives to intercede for us. ♥

and thank God, you have joined us here.

 

[FallingLeaves]

Doubt is a precious thing. It is a gift from God to challenge our human ego with its need to know everything in black and white terms and can loosen our grip and allow a more expansive possibility.......

 

[Bride]

I always doubt what men and women say, and never believe them, unless they are quoting scripture. I never doubt God. If I don't understand, I don't "doubt", I find out

(Rom 3:4)
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

(1Th 5:16)
Rejoice evermore.
(1Th 5:17)
Pray without ceasing.
(1Th 5:18)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1Th 5:19)
Quench not the Spirit.
(1Th 5:20)
Despise not prophesyings.
(1Th 5:21)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(1Th 5:22)
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
(1Th 5:23)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.