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Hey Martyr...I am sure it is hard for you to continue to have faith in God when you constantly are in pain but God created all of us and will never stop loving us. Suffering is one of the things we will never understand but I do know that even Jesus suffered and then was crucified..and because of that if we believe we are promised internal life. That life will be without pain. Please don't give up and I will pray for healing in your life. God Bless you

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Hello Martyr. As I sit here, my legs hurt, my hands have no strength, my shoulders are tight, my arms ache and I wonder how I will get through the day. It can be very difficult to sustain faith in trying times and I will pray for you. Here is what God’s guidance has taught me.
Mostly we are plagued by things that we think we should have answers to and have control over but do not. It is OK to wonder, do not carry guilt over that. But, we all need to be reminded from time to time that our way is not God's way. Whatever life deals us, good or bad, is under His control. Why we suffer or enjoy experiences is often not clear until later.
First, He created you to be uniquely you. He knows you now and before you were in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5).
Second, God gave you gifts that you still possess - even in pain. He will use your gifts for good. (Ephesians 4:7-8)
Third, He loves you. Though we count love in what we can see and touch, God send us love through His Spirit (Acts 1:5). We experience His love and forgiveness through the Holy Spirit, and feel His presence in our lives when we seek it. He also sent His son to be savior so that when the difficulties of life in this world are through, the importance of eternity are settled. (John 3:16)
Fourth, He is there always. He is always working around us, pursues a love relationship with us, invites us to join His work, speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, brings us to a crisis and asks us to adjust our lives to join him. He helps us know Him through experience and obedience and uses all things for His will and the good of those who love Him.
Fifth, faith is not something we can muster up or develop. It is a gift that we receive (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we must turn to God for a greater measure when we feel our faith lagging.
Here is what you can do to find peace and answers.
Pray and tell God your fears and doubts. Seek His forgiveness for your sins and accept that He is your Savior. If you have done this in life, tell Him again. Often we need to tell ourselves these things to reinforce our beliefs. Ask God to talk to you and show Him what He needs you to know. Sit quietly and listen. This takes practice. Do this everyday and sit for 15 minutes and listen. After a month or so, you will find answers revealed to you.
Read scripture. If you do not have a Bible, go to biblegateway.com. Pick up a study guide from cbd.com or a Christian book store called “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. In a short time each day this study will show you how to know when God is speaking to you and recognize Him in your life. Read Matthew 6:25-34, to help you not worry.
Do not seek a saint to pray to or any other mystical answer. God prohibits this (Exodus 20:3-4), and it will put sin between you and Him so that you will not hear God clearly.
Talk to a pastor. If you do not have one, ask a friend, or call a local Christian church.
Ask others to pray for you – for strong faith, to hear God, for healing, and for daily guidance.
Please accept this as an offering of ministry to help you, not direction. Faith is tested in all our lives, and these things are what get me through difficulty. Soon, after a time, you learn to trust God more easily, and you wake up with peace – even in pain. God bless you.

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Never have, never will.
I dont believe "GOD" gave me Fibro therefore the "cure" is not in prayer.
Having said that positive attitude can have a huge effect on anyone with a chronic condition.
You dont have to be a Christian to have faith.
Good luck to you.

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Martyr
Even as I write this, I am praying for God to give me the right words to say to you. My heart aches for you, and I wish you could know how strongly I feel about this. I have been reading this post for many months since my diagnosis, and this is the most vitally important question you could have asked. I'm sure you are not the only one who feels this way.
I absolutely believe in God. But I don't just believe He exists, I know Him as a friend, father, and savior. That is why, even though I don't understand exactly why He has allowed this condition, I have never doubted His existence.
If you had heard about someone, read about them, even sent letters to them, but never met them, you might be able to be convinced that they weren't real. But what about a friend or family member? No matter what anyone said, you would never be persuaded that your friend wasn't real. Why? Because you know them. You've seen them, talked to them, had a relationship with them. You know they are real, because you have experienced them! This is how you can know God is real. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is real, because I have accepted Him into my heart, talked with Him, been comforted by Him, and had a relationship with Him. I cannot imagine life without Him. He wants that with you too.
I know right now you feel that He's forsaken you. Even though I have never doubted God's existence, I have had my own doubts about His faithfulness. Probably everyone here has at some point. We see seemingly hopeless circumstances, pain we can't understand, and wonder what kind of a God could allow it. Why won't He answer our prayers? The truth is, He always answers. But the answer isn't always yes. Sometimes it's "yes", sometimes it's "later"...but sometimes it's "no". It's hard for us to be able to understand why God says no to something so important and life-changing. But there is a verse in the bible that says "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Do you remember when you were a child and you wanted something very badly, but your parents wouldn't give it to you? (Or perhaps you've been on the other side of this.) You asked and begged and insisted you had to have it, but they still said no. At the time, you didn't know why, and you may have been angry at them. But they weren't saying no because they didn't care, but because they loved you so much, and knew it wasn't best for you. That is a picture of God as our heavenly Father. He delights in giving us good gifts, but He loves us too much to give us everything we want. I will be the first to admit that my first argument has always been "But this is different. This is something very important...we're talking about my life here! And the lives of everyone around me! I know being healthy is best!" No matter how hard I try, I can't understand why God would say "no" on this matter. But I trust Him. I trust Him because I know Him. I have seen His faithfulness, I have talked with Him, I have felt his love for me. I KNOW that He is good...even when I don't understand.
He wants so much for you to know this too. Even though you don't believe in Him now, He still believes in you. It hurts Him that you have rejected him, but He doesn't love you any less. He still has a plan for your life, even though that plan may be totally different than the one you had for yourself.
Another bible verse says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.I will be found by you," declares the LORD."
You may not get the answer you want, but He promises that you will find Him. And when you do, He will be more than enough. Though your body may have pain, your heart will have a peace and joy you have never known before. This peace only comes when you admit that you don't understand, that you haven't always lived for Him, and that you have sinned. If you ask Him to forgive you, to take over your life and teach you more about who He is, He WILL do it. There is no doubt, no catch, no work on your part. There is no saint to pray to, in fact God tells us not to pray to anyone or anything but Him. Because of Jesus, we have direct access to God. He alone forgives us, and He gives salvation freely. He died just to give it to you. And there is nothing you have done or ever will do that can separate you from His love.
I know this post is very long, but I hope you will think about it. This is the most important decision you will ever make, and I will be praying every day for you, that you will discover Christ and his love. That you will learn who He is, and experience his goodness and peace. If you have any more questions, or need help, let me know. If you should choose to accept His gift of salvation, I would love to know so I can pray for you and rejoice with you. My email address is bwelladjusted at yahoo.com. I will be praying for you. God bless.

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Thank you all for your kinds words and inspiration. I'm feeling better because of it.

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All I can tell you is that I do not believe I would have been able to get through the past 5 years of my life if it wasn't for my faith in GOD. Just beleive... and allow GOD into your life, and you will feel much better.

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With out God in my life I wouldn't be able to deal with my fibro. I found a very good doctor with his help. I have pain but I do aerobic exercises and take fish oil supplements which help inflamation. I also started taking meds for this and also the meds should help my neuropathy in my feet. I know God helps me cope. He will help you also if you have faith in him. I also have kidney disease and copd but I still enjoy life even with some limitations. I use to clean the church and help other ways and can't do that anymore. Think positive there are new meds that cvan help you. Check with your doctor. God Bless You!

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Hey Martyr, I feel for you and all of us for that matter. No is not fair that we suffer from Fibro nor for Cancer or any other problems. But life is such. Remember, everyone suffers from something, what bothers me is your outlook on life and your fibro. I know it's tough, I feel it, live it, and get mad over it, but I will not have my life consumed about God, prayers or a miracle. I am tough and I shall prevail. I do not look back, I merely look forward. I take things with a grain of salt, and I do not blame someone else, something or somewhere or myself for what happens to myself.
You are tough girl, duck down, keep your mind about you and go on. You can do it, I can do it, and everyone else can do it.
I have met tough people in my life and no one or nothing scares me. I battled many injustice in my life, but I would rather look forward and not reminiscent when I was! I am a new person with a new bag of tricks. It is for me to do as I please and I would rather look forward then look bad. I have a smile and true there are days I don't feel much about myself or my health problems. But I still get up and I try as much as I can to look forward. I don't pray for a miracle, I have been blessed in my life, cancer I have had, I wasn't suppose to live, but I did. The miracle is my treatment, my doctors and myself and my family. Those should be your miracle. Don't beat yourself over what you have, look forward to nice things in life, and forget the rough stuff, it will only make you depressed. Embrace life with open arms and take in the good and leave the bad.

Duck, hold on to your heart, and move forward.

Love to you.
Sandrivers

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Pleae read "Footprints In The Sand" and you will know that God has not forsaken you. Also read and memorize Jeremiah 29:11in the Bible. Whenever you are feeling low say it. It works!

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Hey, i hope u are feeling a bit better. i know how u feel, cause i have been there, and still some days go through the same feelings.i guess, you just have to accept it,it takes a lot of time and courage, especially with fibro when apparently you don't have a brokine limb, to say you seem to be physically fine. times when your own family starts to say, well it's all in your head. it is hard but i some how have learned to keep my mouth shut of what iam going through my worse days, cause they don't understand, it's me who is suffering with pain, all i need at times is some one good to vent to, who just listens with out judging me. it's very hard and you have to take one day at a time. i just found this site yesterday, i think it's amazing seem like we all are going through the same thing and we all understand. Wish u well.

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"But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..."
Isaiah 49: 14-16a

Beloved, God has not forsaken you. Of course He wants us to do good works, but above all else he wants a relationship with you. He calls Himself Friend, Counselor.

I am currently involved in a Bible Study by Beth Moore at a local church. Each week we watch a video together. I can't tell you how timely this has been for me as I have wrestled with the same feelings you have expressed. Week 6 was a turning point for me. If you are interested you can purchase and download that one video session on the Lifeway website. I wish I could recap it all for you but it I would be writing too much and not capturing all that she is able to explain in God's Word.

In His love! ~CCN

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Martyr,
The words of bwelladjusted on October 14th are true and well tested. I have suffered with FM for 10+ years and had I not had Christ to lean on each day and his grace to sustain me I would have thought things were hopeless. No matter how difficult my days are I still have the joy and love in my heart that only knowing Christ as your personal Lord and Savior can bring. You have nothing to lose and a whole new life to gain.
I will be praying for you....Ket

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I don't like God. God never gave a damn about people who DON'T want to exist forever. I wish to cease to exist, I don't want Heaven nor Hell.

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I don't think I've ever really believed in God the way the Bible puts it.

The Bible is an absolutely amazing and empowering story. It was written by man though. I do believe that some of the things that happened in the Bible did actually happen but we have a tendency to glorify and embellish when we are trying to prove something is right and good.

I do believe in a higher power. I don't believe in coincidences, everything happens for a reason.

I can't deny the power of positive thinking, sometimes people just need to believe.

I find it interesting that you say you feel forsaken by God but you want to put your energy into praying to a patron saint for help. Why not focus that energy on you, pray to yourself, meditate. You say you're in a walker, why not do chair tai chi? If you're looking for something to believe in; believe in yourself.

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Noca, I know you want to stop existing at the end of your life, so it can all just be over and done with. After a long hard life, many people probably feel that way. And for your pain-filled body, it WILL finally be done. But a soul is not something that can die, it will live forever, that much we are assured of. The only question is where our soul will live. None of us can even begin to imagine what heaven will be like, it is something more perfect than our minds can even grasp. But it is a place of eternal joy and peace, where we will love and forever be loved by God. Imagine the most perfect moments of your life. At the time, you probably wished they could last forever. Heaven will be immeasurably better than those moments, and it will last forever. I promise you, even though you can't imagine it now, it is everything your heart could ever long for and incredibly more. But it is a place reserved only for those who have accepted Christ. He created us for heaven, He wants us there with Him so badly He died a horrific death, but He won't force us to come to him. He longs for us, but He leaves us the choice. Those who reject Him will still live for eternity, but an eternity in hell. Just as heaven is a place of such perfection and joy our minds cannot even grasp it, hell is a place of such horror, terror and pain, it is far beyond what our minds could even begin to fear. The greatest pain we have ever endured here, the darkest most frightening thing we have ever seen on earth, will be nothing compared to that place. And it will never end.
I'm not here to try and preach fire and brimstone. In fact, if you knew me you'd know that I hate those sermons! They may be true, but accepting Christ is not something to be done out of fear. You think God never cared about you, but I can promise you beyond a shadow of a doubt that He absolutely does. He loves you more than anything. Ask Him. He will reveal Himself to your heart. If you have a Bible, or you can find one online, read the book of John and Romans to start with. Despite what Canada17 said, the Bible is God-breathed. Man physically wrote it, like a secretary takes dictation, but God inspired every last word. Lee Strobel has written many books such as "The Case for a Creator", "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith". He was actually an atheist who set out to disprove God's existence, and in the process became completely convinced of His existence and salvation. His books are full of scientific and historical evidence to support that faith.
I would love to talk with you if you want. My email is bwelladjusted at yahoo.com. I will be praying for you every day.

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bwelladjusted - the Bible was written by man, a man on drugs nonetheless, but it doesn't mean what is written isn't good advice.

You should be careful how you word your advice. It would be easy for someone to misconstrue what your saying into advocacy for an early termination of life. You said:

"I know you want to stop existing at the end of your life, so it can all just be over and done with. After a long hard life, many people probably feel that way. And for your pain-filled body, it WILL finally be done. But a soul is not something that can die, it will live forever, that much we are assured of."

You basically go on to say that if you accept Christ into your heart, your soul will live for eternity in Heaven, if not they to Hell you go.

Would God really be that spiteful?

The Bible should be taken at face value, they are stories to control people. Controlling people is an important part of ensuring a certain way of living. That is why we have laws and by-laws, most of which evolved from the 10 Commandments.

I don't deny that people who go to Church and believe in God have a unique way of turning hardship into something positive. But there have been many, far too many, horrendous acts committed in the name of God!

God does not make our pain magically disappear, though faith can do amazing things. Faith is a funny thing though because no matter what you believe in, you can manifest your own destiny, with or without God. A woman can exhibit all signs of being pregnant, even though tests prove otherwise, everything from missing a period to milk production, all she needs to to really believe that she is. Does that mean that she is pregnant? No, it means she's manifested the pregnancy and tricked her body into believing that she is pregnant because she believed so strongly that she was...

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To answer your question, yes I do believe in God. That's not to say I haven't struggled with my faith!!!! There are definitely days when I ask why me, why the pain, the disability, why the extreme financial problems????? But I have my amazing hubby who reminds me, why not me? In the grand scheme of things it could be so much worse. He reminds me of the faith of the extreme poor, in third world nations. We were never promised a life without hardship, at least I know I wasn't!!! At times in life it seems that we're tested, but no matter how bad things get I seem to make it through. And when I feel alone and desperate, it's God I pray to. So even when I may question, deep down inside is my belief and faith. So there you go, I don't mean to preach but for me it's comforting to know I'm never really alone. And while I may not get the answer I seek right away, I have to believe that there are reasons for a possible (no), or (not right now).
Hope this helps, Patty;)

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"And immediately he {PAUL} proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, 'He is the Son of God.' And all who heard him were amazed and said, 'Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?' But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ." Acts 9:20-22. Allow yourself the time to talk with God and ask Him of your doubts. The truth will be revealed to you.
The Bible is the inerrant word of God, written by men he chose for that purpose over millenia, with all of man's sin laid open, with a map of living included.
May Jesus Christ enter all hearts and may all accept his free gift of everlasting life.

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I believe!! I have felt just as you do, especially when my son was born with a huge cleft palate, blind and deaf, osteo-arthritis, and too many other stuff to include. I remember thinking that God was a jerk to punish my husband and I through the innocence of such a small and perfect (to me) little boy. The hospital he was born at stuck him in a bassinet under the warmer and we were told not too touch him, he was in a separate room from the other newborns and I was given a private room--that was so scarry, NOBODY gets a private room these days. They flew my baby by helicopter and released me the day he was born so I could be with him. At the children's hospital, the social worker asked if I wanted to see a clergy person and I responded "No, but send him anyways." Well, in walked this man wearing a harley davidson tie and I thought, ok, now this is a REALLY sick joke. But when that pastor prayed over my son I truly and honestly felt the Lord put his hands on me. I just knew that my baby boy was going to be okay and that God gave us this little guy because we needed him just as much as he needed us. Everytime I start to doubt God, this exact moment in time comes into my mind, and I know without a doubt that God is still working his magic. We don't have to know why God is doing what he does, we just have to have faith and allow him to use us in any way he wants!! Please Please Pray again and again. You know just as I do that God hears all of our prayers and he will answer them, but only when the time is right.
Also, I go to a huge methodist church that offers more classes than I ever knew existed and I have found classes ranging from how evolution ties into the bible to very traditional bible classes where we read the bible front to back and interpret. Maybe you could reach out to your church family? Its very hard to have to switch from the person that helps to the person that needs help. Maybe this is a lesson our Lord is trying to teach through you????? Just a thought...and I am offering your prayers to my thurs. morn. prayer group as well as praying for you myself.

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Don't turn from God. We all wonder why we have this disease, but the truth of the matter is we are suppose to rely on Him. He has a plan for you and me. I have suffer from unknown pain for years. I continue to press forward knowing somewhere in the mess I am going to glorify my Lord. Recently I feel I need to start a support group for people with Fibromyalgia. I don't know where to start, but I know this is part of His plan.
By the way I am also dealing with multiple pre-cancerous problems, but God will see me through. He love me and He loves you too. Don't give up on His love. You know down deep that He is wanting you to come back to Him and rely on Him.

God Bless,
Hope

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hi martyr,
i know it must feel like god has deserted u in such a time of need, but he's there and will listen to anything and everything u might say. i realized months ago actually about a yr ago that i was the one that had deserted him. i now pray daily and in the most strangest places lol. i do it when ever i feel the need. i really don't ask him to take my pain away, but ask him to help me deal with it. i can say that since i've brought him back into my life and even when my life has been at the lowest... somehow i make it thru the situation. i can say yes alot of my prayers have def been answered, which if u had asked me this earlier of last yr i would have laughed and said no way. i have my best conversations with my god when i'm driving down the road and there is a comforting feeling that comes over me. i'm not sure if you have heard of the sernity prayer, but if you look it up you will find it. i find this prayer really helps alot.... it goes like this "god grant me the serinty to accept the things i can not change, the courgage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference". in all seriousiness this has helped me to perservere thru some very rough and i mean rough days. when u hear those words it sounds so easy but its not u have to work at it. say that prayer all thru the day if u need to cux i will assure it does help. if it were not for my faith into my loving god as i know him i don't know where i would be today. so all i say is just open your heart and you will find some sort of peace.
god bless and tc
lorie

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I myself do not feel much if any faith , I'm not no Angel but I have always and still put everyone Before myself and I know I always will , So why did god give me so many medical problems to pull myself through and Later slap me in the face with this one . I guess there is no mercy for no one.

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Hi Michelle,

I too, thought that if I was a good person and did not intentionally hurt someome then I would be pleasing God, but then someone showed me in God's Word that it is not about me or what I do or did not do. It is all about what He did for us. He came to earth as a man and died on the cross. By doing so He took all of our sin and died so that we may now be reconciled back to God. We just have to believe that with our hearts and mind and thank Him and ask for forgiveness and then we are part of the family of God. Trusting Him and what He did is the key. He does allow us to suffer sometimes because He needs us to ask questions about 'why me?'..so that we can learn the truth. Praying for you..K

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The longer I live, the more suffering I see, the more I have a hard time believing in the "Word of God".

Why would a God, as described in the Bible, punish people who aren't evil?

Why do people who do evil things get away with it? Why does it seem like they are given rewards for their bad behaviour?

I find it hard to believe in a God who would allow everyone to take whatever action they want and all is forgiven as long as they ask for it?

It seems to to me that the story of God banishing the Devil from Heaven is a little backwards. It seems more like the Devil is sitting up there pretending to be God and laughing at us.

When people talk about what you have to do in order to be allowed into God's Kingdom, God sounds more like a spiteful child than a loving Father.

If God is real, why would he care more about whether or not you devote your time and Sundays to Him than how you live your life? There is a major loophole is God's "plan": You can do whatever you want, so long as you ask for forgiveness before you die?

I used to believe, and I went to church every week. I found myself questioning what the preacher was preaching...you can't exactly put your hand up and say, "Uh, I don't think so."

While I believe in a higher power, I fail to see how "God" is the be all and end all for our "salvation". The Bible is a lovely story, but so is The Ant And The Grasshopper.

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Canada17,
I will go ahead and admit that this will be a very long post, and I know I've had two long posts already. But I thought you raised some very legitimate questions that deserved an answer.
Your first question was why would God punish those who aren't evil? And that's a valid question, because the answer will say a lot about who God really is, and if He is really trustworthy and just. If God does indeed punish innocent people for no reason, than you would be right. He would be a spiteful God, and I wouldn't bother to argue otherwise. But there are two perspectives on this question. First, how do we decide who is innocent? Why do we see one person as "evil" and another person as "good"? We're comparing people by our own standards, by what we think good and bad should be. We look at other people and what our culture says is normal and acceptable, and if someone fits that standard, they're "good". If they do things we have generally agreed are wrong, they're "bad". But we're all sinners! None of use are "good". It's like falling in a mud puddle, then looking around and deciding who's the dirtiest. If we see people who are muddier than us, we figure we must be pretty clean by comparison. But we're still dirty! God determined at the very beginning of time what things are good, and what things are evil. And those truths are unchangeable, whether we agree with them or not. Plus, we can only see people's actions, we don't know their thoughts and motives. 1 Samuel 16:7b says "The Lord does not look at the things humans look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
So really, none of us are good. We have all been disobedient, and just like a child who disobeys his parent will be punished, we may be punished too. But God isn't punishing us because He takes some twisted pleasure in our suffering, anymore than a parent takes pleasure in spanking a child. He does it to correct us, because He loves us too much to want to see us continue on a deadly path. Sometimes He allows suffering to show a person their need for salvation, but rest assured that God never takes pleasure in our suffering. Not all suffering is a punishment, either. Sometimes it is simply the consequences of our sin, or the sins of those around us. God gave us free choice, and if we choose to sin, we can hardly blame Him when our choices backfire. Secondly, for those who are Christians, there is still no promise that our lives will be easy. In fact, God tells us that living for Him will be difficult. Sometimes suffering in a Christian's life is a means of correction, to cause them to see and repent of the sin in their life. But sometimes it's just part of living in a sinful world. God doesn't remove all difficulty and trials from our lives, but He promises to help us through them. Trials can strengthen our faith, too. James 1:2-4 says "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and when perseverance has finished its work, you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything." As with any relationship, it's easy to love and be faithful during the good times, but you don't know how strong a person's love and commitment are until the hard times come.
Your second question was why do people get away with evil, and are even rewarded for it? Do you know how many people throughout the Bible asked that question? The prophet Jeremiah said " You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with You about Your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do the faithless live at ease?" (Jer. 12:1) It's a very real concern, and everyone has wondered at some point. Only God knows for certain, but He did give us some assurance in the matter. If you have a Bible or can look online, I would strongly encourage you to read Psalm 37. God tells us not to worry and fret about the wicked, because they will soon wither away and be destroyed. He promises that the wicked will someday vanish, but the righteous will live forever. Psalms 73 and 94 also give a lot of answers on this subject. Another thing to keep in mind is that money and possessions and worldly success do not equal happiness or blessing. God didn't say those who followed Him would have an easy, comfortable life. But we will have all eternity of blessing and comfort, while the evil will spend all of eternity in suffering. Judgement may not come when we want it to, but it does come.
When you said Satan seems to be sitting in heaven laughing at us...you were partly right. No, he isn't in heaven, and never will be, though he wants nothing more. But he does laugh at us...he holds a lot of power over this world and takes incredible delight in seeing people suffer. Theologians have debated for years why God hasn't completely destroyed Satan...why he allows him any power at all. And no one fully comprehends God's reasons...frankly, God doesn't have to explain Himself to us. But one thing most agree on is that God hasn't destroyed Satan because He will not take our free will from us. He has defeated Satan's power over us...if we accept Jesus, satan has no power in our lives. He can't make us do anything. But it's still our choice to accept Christ and defeat Satan's power. If everyone accepted Christ, Satan would have no power in the world. But that isn't the case, and so satan still holds control over many. God could wipe Satan and his demons off the face of the earth, but to do so would remove our free choice. We would HAVE to love and serve God, because satan wouldn't be there to turn us against Him. But God doesn't want us to love Him because we HAVE to. That's not real love. He gave us a free choice, even though He knew we would make wrong choices, because He wanted us to love and serve out of willing hearts, not be His robots.
You also asked if we can do whatever we want in life, and just ask for forgiveness before we die. This is not a straightforward yes or no question. Again, God looks at the heart of a man. There is no sin that is unforgivable to God. No matter what we have done in our lives, even if it is truly horrific, God can and will forgive us. Jesus died to free us so we could be forgiven of any and every sin. He paid the price for our sin (death), so we wouldn't have to. So, yes, no matter what we have done in our lives, we can always repent and be forgiven by God. However, God is not fooled. He knows when we are truly repentant and sorry for our sin, and when we're just looking for an easy out. Saying the words "I'm sorry" doesn't mean that you really are. True repentance is when we are overwhelmed with grief over our sin, we see them as evil and turn from them. It involves a changed heart, and a changed life. If we're really sorry for something, we're going to try not to do it again. On the other hand, if we know what we're doing is wrong all along, don't care, and figure we'll just say "I'm sorry, please forgive me" at the end of our lives, then no, we are not forgiven. Because we aren't really sorry, and our hearts are not really changed. Many people are turned off by Christians because they see them as hypocrites. No Christian is perfect. Just because we're forgiven, doesn't mean we don't still make mistakes. But an important thing to remember is that not everyone who says they are a Christian really is. They might say the right words, but God knows their heart.
This leads me to the question of whether God care more about us devoting our time and Sundays to Him than how we live our lives. This is absolutely NOT true. You may see humans who live this way, but it is not the way God told us to live. The entire Bible is filled with instructions on how to live, especially the New Testament. But He didn't give us these instructions as an endless list of rules to follow to win His approval, either. He wants us to know Him...what pleases and displeases Him, what makes Him happy and makes Him weep. Our faith is what saves us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can brag." And Romans 3:28 says "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith, apart from observing the law."
Our actions and good deeds cannot save us, only faith in God and what His son Jesus did for us can. But this is not to say that God doesn't care how we live our lives. Galatians 5:13 says "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Ephesians 2:10 says " We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God cares VERY much how we live our lives. Although faith alone saves us, if we have faith we will want to do good works. Think about it. You can do lots of nice things for a person, but that doesn't necessarily mean you love them. But if you love them, wouldn't you want to do things that make them happy? I sure wouldn't believe someone who said they loved me, but never showed it. That's what the bible says about faith. You can do lots of good works and not have faith. But if you have faith, you will want to do good works. When Christ comes into your heart, you are completely changed. (Not perfect, but changed.)2 Corinthians 5:17 says " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!" We are filled with new desires...desires to serve and please God and share Him with others. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There's a reason they're called fruit, not seeds. You don't start with these things, and obtain salvation and faith. When the seed of faith is planted in your heart, and you are growing in God, these "fruits" come from the heart.
I hope this post has helped a little. You may not agree with me, and I may not have stated everything as well as someone wiser than me could have. But I hope you can see the sincerity of my heart. In the end, faith is not something that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. That's why it's called faith. But it isn't a blind faith, either. You are obviously a very intelligent person, and you've put quite a bit of thought into your questions. You really seem to want answers, so don't take just my answers. Search for yourself, and don't stop searching until you have found the truth. The funny thing about fibro is that it usually forces us to slow down in life. It took a while for me to see it this way, but now I see my fibro as a gift from God. Hopefully not a permanent one (I'm still praying for a cure), but for this season of my life, it has been a gift. It has given me time to think, consider my life and my heart, and grow closer to God. This is what is meant by suffering strengthening our faith. Though some days I get incredibly frustrated, my faith truly has been strengthened as I have had to rely on God, and not myself. I have grown to love God more than I ever have before, and am trying to use this season of my life growing closer to Him.
I really hope you find the answers that you're looking for, Canada17.

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bewelladjusted,

I read your post in full, and I thank you for taking the time to share your insight.

I can't deny that you have faith, and it obviously gives you strength. Perhaps I should be more specific and say that I don't believe in God the way the Bible puts it. I have gone to many different Churches and went with an open mind. The thing that gets me has to do with the following, you wrote:

"...if we accept Jesus, Satan has no power in our lives. He can't make us do anything. But it's still our choice to accept Christ and defeat Satan's power. If everyone accepted Christ, Satan would have no power in the world."

Many people of faith believe, and I suppose they have to, that their God is the only God. It just isn't true. The remarkable similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim religions is uncanny. Even Paganism and Native American religions should be included in this.

My problem and basis for the statement that the Bible was written by a man is rooted in the violence surrounding religion. Why would a God invoke in any human the idea to kill anyone not devoted to Him? How is it ok to kill as long as you do it in God's name?

This has been the problem from the beginning, your beliefs vs. my beliefs. Why have we not had some sign from a God that visited us thousands of years ago? Faith requires us to believe in things that we cannot see and frankly can't necessarily comprehend. But there are far too many restrictions on where we are allowed to turn to find the answers.

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I believe in God and I think maybe God has a different plan for you. Maybe you are to inspire people with FM. Maybe become a penpal for someone who has life more difficult than you or I. I can give you some examples. My sister has chronic progessive MS. She is 44 years old and has been bedridden for 14 years. My mom takes care of her and in April my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 liver, lung and bone cancer. So in a very short time, my life has been turned up side down. But it is my faith that keeps me going, that keeps me from feeling sorry for myself, that gives me the hope for tomorrow and the ability to thank God everyday for the time that I have with my mom and my sister. Everyone at work doesn't understand my positive attitude. God may be "working" on your heart, before he works on your pain. God has not forsaken us! He is very much alive!! We go on, because God has a plan for us. I would pick up the Bible and reconnect with your faith. Don't ask God to heal your pain, ask God to heal you and then I am certain that your pain will ease. God is with me everyday. I believe with all of my heart that my mom will very likely not be healed. And you know what? That is OK. My mom hasn't seen her mom since she was 16! She hasn't seen her father for 20 years. When the time is ready, I want her to be with her parents. I have had my mom for 43 years and when God takes her to, I will miss her more than you know...but I will be so very happy for her to be with her mom and dad...Sometimes when you take the focus off of you and put your energy in your faith and on someone who has it worse than you....things change...

I hope this helps and I will pray for you. We all need to be praying for each other.

God Bless You

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I believe God allows us to suffer for a reason. How much compassion do we have now compared to before we had this disease? I know I'm a much more caring person, and I'm more ready to listen to others and their pain and problems. Perhaps God is cleansing us of our sins and the many sins of this world in this way. I'm holding onto hope although I have been tried MANY times in this life. I think we have to remember He says "those who remain faithful..." and so many other verses such as "blessed are those who have not seen but have believed.." (sorry--I'm not one to memorize verses, but you hopefully get the idea.) I try to offer up my pain and challenges to help others. It's like offering a prayer. I just say "Lord, this is for..." Try it--I think it will help! Blessings.

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JEEZ LOUISE people RE-LAX!!!!! WOW!! I was only kidding when I wrote that post! hahahhahahaa I didn't think I'd stir up the wrath of god and all the fires of hell!! hahahahahaha

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martyr,

You were only joking? A little unnecessary, don't you think?

A lot of people put a lot of thought and effort into responding to your question. Considering we are all suffering from FM, I don't know if I can speak for everyone else, but I certainly don't like to waste my time and effort.

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Well, i just joined tonight, and what a thread to start with..When people are in pain and hurting and there's no relief, I'm not surprised people lash out at god..I hear a lot of "if god were a loving god, he wouldn't allow all this sadness, pain, hurting and evil that goes on" I've heard it said, that we are removing god from schools, courthouses, everywhere we turn, what do we expect? he's not going to force himself on us, we kick him out of everything, and then wonder why he allows our suffering as a nation, it's no big surprise to me.

Our pastor once said he knows his wife could be instantly healed of her ms (wheelchair bound), but she has witnessed to probably hundreds or thousands of people over the past 20 years, so there is a reason for everything. He marvels at all the people his wife has led to the lord through her illness and her strength through it.

Anyways, the pain i go through is bearable because i have him in my life,and iknow he hears me when i cry, and he knows my heart, when i'm too tired or weak to cry, he gives me the strength when i need it.

Alright, i have to go read some more of these wonderful threads. :)

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