Alright, I really am going to need some help right now.

Basically, I am finding out how much people I care about are going behind my back, lying to me, being unfaithful to me, and flat-out disrespecting me to no end. I'm about to go to Europe tomorrow for my first time ever, and this has really dampened my spirits, as it involves the most important people in my life. I feel as if I can trust nobody at all, and right now I just want to focus on the beauty of God's vast world of different cultures and lands.

All I am asking is sincere prayer that I will find fulfillment and -gasp- joy amidst all this, that I will find forgiveness for these people, and that these people and I will be reconciled and go back to the way things were.

I would tell of the intensity of this situation, but for some reason I feel like being more respectful about these peopel who have wronged me than they ever have of me. I suppose that is God coming through.

I know many people say 'Yeah, I'm praying,' or something as common courtesy... but I beg you, if you say you will, promise me you will.

I am desperate and broken-hearted right now, when I should be all giddy and excited.

Prayed for you, my friend. And unfortunately, things can never truly be the same. That is the ugliness and beauty of it. God will always work things for our good. That He has promised.

Stifling hurt, anger, and the natural desire to resent and be unforgiving comes all too easily (I have a hard time taming my own tongue at times). I'll be praying, Elan, that God would heal-up your heart from these betrayals, that you would be drawn closer to Him through this, and that He would surround you with true companions, friends, brothers, and sisters.

Elan, I've prayed for you. (seriously)

That being said, I want to tell you something that has helped me out.
Someone passed this on to me, and now I want to pass it on to you.

What people say or do behind your back is none of your business.

That's not your stuff, it's their stuff. It's probably easy to take these things personally, but in actuality it probably has little to do with you.

This next statement which goes along with it isn't the most uplifting point, but it's very true.

If there's a problem, and you're not it, there is no solution.

We can't control people's thoughts, behaviors, words or actions. We might be able to suggest and influence, but even then, others will/can do/say what they want to regardless.

This is why acceptance is so important - it's literally the difference between being tore-up-from-the-floor-up and being at peace.

Another thing, and Jeff already touched on this. Nothing happens in God's world by mistake - it's all for a purpose, even if its a growing experience for you.

He's in control.
Isn't that great? ^_^

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Another thing, and Jeff already touched on this. Nothing happens in God's world by mistake - it's all for a purpose, even if its a growing experience for you.

He's in control.
Isn't that great?

I disagree.

1. This is not God's world. He made everything, yes.. but Scripture says the opposite.. about who this world is under the dominion of.

2. It's not "all for a purpose". Some suffering has no purpose, contrary to pop Christian saying. Nor is it is all beneficial in the end. That is another pop Christian saying that is far from accurate.

The Two million Jews and Christians and gays and who ever else that died a torturous death at the hand of the nazi's experienced well the truth of what I say. Do you think your statements would comfort them. " Oh, hey, I know your dying of starvation, mal nutrition and your friends are being experimented on by mad scientists with chemicals and drugs while they are starving to death... and there is no escape from this except in death... but Hey.. God is in control.. this Suffering has a purpose". - Their response as well as mine would be - Bullsh(t! You think none of this people were faithful and that none of them prayed for help? Of course they did. God did not deliver them.. Satan had his way, for he is the god of this world.

Understand that this world is part of hell ( sheol ), and you will understand much.

Sometimes the only way to get past suffering is too yield to it.. and very often it is just anguish.. there is no getting past it.. except in death.

Just my two cents.

I think Elan is doing better, but I could be wrong.. judging by his facebook communications.. while in Belgium. But how can you not be doing better when you are in better place?

Kamerad Ash wrote:

1. This is not God's world. He made everything, yes.. but Scripture says the opposite.. about who this world is under the dominion of.

2. It's not "all for a purpose". Some suffering has no purpose, contrary to pop Christian saying. Nor is it is all beneficial in the end. That is another pop Christian saying that is far from accurate.

The Two million Jews and Christians and gays and who ever else that died a torturous death at the hand of the nazi's experienced well the truth of what I say. Do you think your statements would comfort them. " Oh, hey, I know your dying of starvation, mal nutrition and your friends are being experimented on by mad scientists with chemicals and drugs while they are starving to death... and there is no escape from this except in death... but Hey.. God is in control.. this Suffering has a purpose". - Their response as well as mine would be - Bullsh(t! You think none of this people were faithful and that none of them prayed for help? Of course they did. God did not deliver them.. Satan had his way, for he is the god of this world.

You're wrong. That is just an illusion.
Do not mistake what God allows to happen as lack of control or Who has true power.

What happened in the holocaust is a byproduct of the will of man. Man's will does not mean it's Satan's wishes. God didn't will those people to die and suffer - he allowed it. He could have stopped it, but He did not.

Why? I don't know.
Perhaps we all needed to know about this horror in history, as to not repeat it later.

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Why? I don't know.
Perhaps we all needed to know about this horror in history, as to not repeat it later.

Uhmm, no it happens everyday.. in places like Africa, south america.. all over the world.. it is no one time rare event.. it is just an example of what is common in this world.

Kamerad Ash wrote:

Uhmm, no it happens everyday.. in places like Africa, south america.. all over the world.. it is no one time rare event.. it is just an example of what is common in this world.

Once again, that happens because of man's will.
Maybe God allows it because He wants people like you to appreciate what you have and realize how fortunate you are.

Maybe you should think about people truly suffering the next time you feel like wallowing in self-pity because of a female.

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Once again, that happens because of man's will.

That would be true if man was God.

But alas.. God is God, not man.

Do you really think tha the majority of men.. especially those who rule in this world.. are driven
entirely by their own will? No, we all are like sheep.. iwe are all influenced by the authorities and powers of either Light or Darkness.

The only men who have even a slight semblence of self Will .. are matured Christians.. and very few of them at that.

"Forgive them Father, for they Know Not what they do". - Jesus.

And since we know not what we do.. we are the sheep of either God or the enemy.

I'm a month late, but I still prayed for you.

Kamerad Ash wrote:

Quote :

Another thing, and Jeff already touched on this. Nothing happens in God's world by mistake - it's all for a purpose, even if its a growing experience for you.

He's in control.
Isn't that great?

I disagree.

1. This is not God's world. He made everything, yes.. but Scripture says the opposite.. about who this world is under the dominion of.

2. It's not "all for a purpose". Some suffering has no purpose, contrary to pop Christian saying. Nor is it is all beneficial in the end. That is another pop Christian saying that is far from accurate.

The Two million Jews and Christians and gays and who ever else that died a torturous death at the hand of the nazi's experienced well the truth of what I say. Do you think your statements would comfort them. " Oh, hey, I know your dying of starvation, mal nutrition and your friends are being experimented on by mad scientists with chemicals and drugs while they are starving to death... and there is no escape from this except in death... but Hey.. God is in control.. this Suffering has a purpose". - Their response as well as mine would be - Bullsh(t! You think none of this people were faithful and that none of them prayed for help? Of course they did. God did not deliver them.. Satan had his way, for he is the god of this world.

I am not a determinist so I am not in complete disagreement with you, Ash, however...

Satan isn't king of anything. He does only what G-d allows him.

Satan is nothing.