does god give you strength or just the chances to use your strength

[baldjim]

first let me just say i really dont know if i believe in god or not

i have had to watch my daughter natasha die and i thought carrying her coffin to her grave was the hardest thing i would ever have to do

i have had two younger brothers die

i have watched my mum die from cancer

my partner has died twice and been permantly disfigured (on the body) and left semi disabled by a botched hospital operation

i have had it tough .. but all these things have made me stronger and i believe a kinder more caring person

now in my later years i have to face the biggest test any person anywhere will have to face ,but due to the pain i have had to bare i feel strong enough to face it ,sure i cry i'm devastated but i know i wont crumble i will be strong ,i will be there for the one and indeed loved ones that will need me in the next few years

then a thought hit me today like a ton of bricks

i would not be able to get through this without all the pain and hurt my tortured soul has endured

maybe god did not forsake me when i needed him most maybe he was preparing me so i could be the man i am when i am needed most

thoughts please

[Astro]

I don't know if this well help Jim, just thought I'd post this again, I share it often and it's well know in the rooms of recovery. You might get a lot more responses to this by posting it in the Christian forum.

Footprints In The Sand

One night I had a dream--
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson

[Live]

Mr. Baldjim,

Let me first introduce myself with the disclaimer that I have no credentials or knowledge of infinite wisdoms. I would also like to add that I, personally, do not know whether there is a G*d or not. It seems to me that there are as many conceptions of G*d as there are members of SR.

Last week I watched the movie Ghandi and in it a priest said "I am not so egotistical to think that God plans His day around me."
I have come to the thinking that rather than "Why me?" it is "Why not me?"

The human history is full of tragedies. My life has seen some incomprehensible tragedies, as well. I also buried my son.

I really like Astro's signature quote!

The thing I do have in my power and realm of choice and control is how I will respond to life, it's blessings and tragedies. Can I be a blessing to myself and others or do I burden myself and others with my thinking and behaviors?

I wish you had shared what challenge you are facing now....thus, perhaps, allowing support for yourself and others the opportunity to share with you.

I know I have not answered your question...I simply do not know!

Peace be with you,
Live

[Live]

Jimbo Wrote;
Maybe God did not forsake me when i needed Him most, maybe He was preparing me so i could be the man i am when i am needed most.

Very well stated (Enlightened) Jimbo!

At times it is hard to comprehend how a loving God would let such things happen, but as you stated it may very well be a way to prepare us for a greater loss that we would not be capable of handling or the support we can give to others in a similar situation.

I commend you for your interpetation and strength to share the hardships from your life, and belive that God (in whatever name or understanding he,she or idealology takes)
has blessed you with understanding and knowledge that has made you a much stronger person and human being.

May the peace and wisdom you have shown be the beacon of light to lead others to a safer harbor in their life!

By Stoneprophet ie (livewyerd's partner)

[justjo]

Good question Jimbo

I was only sitting and thinking the other night as I cried my eyes out, why have I gone through so many challenges in my life too. Some things are out of our control, of course and others are not.
I wonder how much pain some of us have gone through and what lessons were learnt. Sometimes I wonder why there is more and more pain. Im a good, genuine person, always done the right thing by others etc etc and once again it hit me again with the death of my sister.
Why I ask, and how is this going to make me stronger? I havent a clue right now as I think ' I will never be the same person again ' after this. I wonder what other people see when they look at me.
I do believe though that things happen for a reason, so maybe, just maybe, we are all learning together and there is a reason for all of this.
Im not sure either if there is a god, but somehow I think god is my own conscious and soul, trying to work it all out.

Jo