Why hasn’t God healed me?

The Question: Why hasn’t God healed me? If God really loves me and cares for me, He would heal me, so why hasn’t He? Why do I suffer with my conditions day after day when there is supposedly a God who loves me and has the power to heal me but doesn’t.

This is a great question/issue surrounding God, religion and Christianity in general. Also one I’ve struggled with personally and probably most people have I would imagine. We all have experienced or know someone personally who has experienced physical trials be it disease or injury, not to mention psychological and emotional illnesses and traumas.

So, IF God is indeed good and loving, why then does He, having the power to make us well, not do so?

This question is quite similar to the ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?‘ question.

I have had my share of physical pain in my life, due to back, knee and shoulder injuries, a kidney that likes to produce excruciatingly painful stones, a poor digestive and immune system resulting in frequent illness and IBS type symptoms, severe migraines from when I was a teen up into my mid-twenties, severe acid-reflux, etc. Now I’m not saying this in a ‘I’ve suffered more than you’ type statement, I’m merely pointing out that throughout my life and in the present, I have had and do have a number of chronic, painful physical challenges that I deal with on a daily basis so I can certainly relate to those experiencing suffering in some form or another.

Now, I as a Christian, I believe God loves me and wants the best for my life. If that’s true, why would God allow me to suffer from these things? The knee and shoulder injuries I got from participating in rough sports and other activities I maybe shouldn’t have been doing, so those things are my own fault to an extent. However the migraines, kidney stones, IBS, back problems, etc. seem to be completely out of my control, so for those things in particular it only seems reasonable to expect God to heal me from them, right?

Well (and I think this is becoming my catch phrase), lets take a look at what the Bible actually says on this topic…

First off I’d go straight to Paul the Apostle in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 where he talks about the ‘thorn in his flesh’ and how he pleaded with God three times to remove it (to heal him), but God refused. I go straight to this one because I think this is an exceptional example regarding this topic and really sheds a lot of light on it from a variety of angles.

Now, lets put this into perspective here. This is Paul, the man who God has given authority to cast out demons and heal all manner of sickness, injury and disease in the name of Jesus, even power to bring back people from the dead (Acts 20:7-12) but God doesn’t allow Paul himself to be healed… Seems crazy, right?

But what does God say to him, and what did Paul himself admit when he was making his account of this issue in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10? God tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” and Paul himself admits in verse 7 that, in order to keep from becoming conceited, he was given a thorn in his flesh.

So, what does that tell us about this particular instance of God not giving healing to someone, even one of his most faithful servants that He loved dearly? I believe it shows quite clearly, that this condition Paul was suffering from not only prevented Paul from falling into sin (conceit), but furthermore gave Paul more dependence on God, resulting in increased faith and a closer relationship with God. This weakness secured Paul’s realization that it’s God he needs to depend on, not himself; even after God granted him all these visions and revelations and knowledge and power on God’s behalf.

Paul goes further to say in verse 10, that he now delights in trials, sufferings, insults, persecutions, etc. for Christ’s sake, because he knows that when he himself is at his weakest, he is strongest in Christ.

There are a number of great articles that go further in depth about suffering and undergoing physical trials; here, here and here are just a couple.

Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 and various other passages talk about suffering and trials and the benefits of enduring them and our responses to them as Christians.

One thing I think we need to realize as Christian’s is that if we have indeed decided to follow Christ, that means our bodies and minds are not ours any longer, but God’s. So with that knowledge, if God chooses to leave His body with a physical illness or injury, or subject His body to persecution or even destruction, then that is God’s choice and part of God’s plan and who are we to question it? I think many who call themselves ‘Christian’ and fall away after experiencing trials or difficulties fail to grasp this concept. Either you have committed your life to God or you have not. If you have, then trust that whatever God ‘lets’ happen to you is for His glory and your gain (benefit).

Now, to be clear I’m not saying you shouldn’t/couldn’t ask for God’s healing, as we certainly can and are instructed to in various areas in the Bible. I myself have experienced God’s healing in several areas on several different occasions, yet other areas He has left untouched… What I’m getting at here is, if, day after day, month after month, year after year, God still has let our issue remain with us, we need to accept that it’s God’s body to do with as He will and continue to serve Him as He directs us to regardless.

Dealing with pain sucks. It really does and there’s no way to sugar-coat that aspect of life. Doesn’t matter if it’s physical pain, emotional or psychological, it just isn’t enjoyable in the least. The question should be, are you willing to continue to serve God despite pain and trials you are experiencing or have or may experience?

I am very thankful God gave me my physical weaknesses, because without them I doubt I would have ended up walking with Him and where I am today. Not only that, I can say with certainty I’d be far more conceited and prideful than I am already (and I struggle with those things enough as it is!). So even in my own life, while I cringe to think of the next kidney stone episode I may experience, at the same time I’m more than willing to endure it if it improves my relationship with God or furthers His will in any way.

If He lets this body continue to suffer from kidney stones and back pain and whatever else, then I’ll trust in Him and know that regardless of what it may seem like to me at the time, that He has my best interests at heart and He will give me the strength to accomplish His will if I choose to listen to it and follow it regardless of how physically frail and weak my body is.

 


 

24 thoughts on “Why hasn’t God healed me?”

  1. Jesus healed ALL those who came to Him. We also know we don’t have to be a Christian to live with a debilitating condition and nobody needs grace (unmerited favour) to continue to suffer. Unbelievers do that every day.
    A physical malady in ourselves or a loved one often points to a Spiritual problem that isn’t being addressed such as unforgiveness. Or, there is a failure to grow or properly participate in the great commission.
    This gives license for our enemy to attack us, so we need to investigate the cause for our distress thru prayer and study and then obey the instructions in James 5 and receive our healing.
    This process can take days or months depending on what barriers in our thinking we need to overcome.
    Or, as the writer suggests, we can just live with it… It really is our choice to make.

  2. But does not anyone think that sometimes God carries things a bit too far? God has now let me have heart troubles and because of that i can no longer travel and pass the good news.

    1. Hi Alison, thanks for taking the time to comment.

      I think that’s a very complex issue and I’d encourage you to take that before God and ask for His wisdom and understanding and to reveal his path for you as there isn’t a ‘right’ answer I don’t think when it comes to those types of questions/issues.

      There are certainly examples in the Bible we have of God allowing His servants to continue with physical issues/ailments of various kinds (Paul, Job, Timothy, etc.) so on one hand we know that following God doesn’t necessarily mean God will heal us of any physical issues we have, in the same way that following God doesn’t mean God will make us materially wealthy (despite what many of today’s ‘Gospels’ claim). Does God bless people with material wealth? Certainly. Does God heal people of physical issues (not to mention other types of issues)? Certainly, but it’s not guaranteed. As someone who suffers from chronic physical issues, I personally take comfort in the fact that some of God’s very prominent servants also did. The choice I have is to continue serving and walking as best I can in whatever God sets out before me DESPITE the circumstances I find myself in.

      So to use the wealth analogy again, someone who makes very little money, can use that as an excuse not to be generous to others who have even less right. They can say, well God didn’t bless me with wealth so I don’t need to give to those with less than me, that’s the job of those who God has given a lot of material things too… However I don’t think that’s the case and I’d even suggest it is in fact much more meaningful for someone with less to give that it is for someone with more as demonstrated by the widow with 2 mites in Luke 21. I guess the bottom line is do what’s good and right and what God tells you to do regardless of how sick you are or how poor you are, etc. etc.

      The neat thing about God is He tends to use the weak and unsuitable for His purposes over the strong and skilled. He takes Moses who fears public speaking and sends him before Pharaoh and to lead all the host of Israel, he sends uneducated fisherman to the highly educated scribes and pharisees, and the educated scribe/pharisee (Paul) he sends to the uneducated gentiles.

      2 Corinthians 12:10 really hits this home: when we are weak, Christ is strong in us (if we depend on Him that is). So in my personal case, I know that having these physical issues often brings me humility, which is a very important part of the Christian walk, and for that I thank God. I trust that if I come to a point where I no longer need to be humbled by these things that God will remove that thorn in my side as it were, but whether He does or doesn’t I’ll still follow Him and I know that He has my best interests in all that he does. I am very willing to have a physical issue if it means it will draw me closer to God even though I really dislike being in pain.

      Now there are other potential ‘reasons’ why God may be allowing a physical issue to remain in someone, it could be He is trying to get your attention on some issue or thing in your life. It could be He is using that situation to draw you into a closer a deeper relationship with Him. It could be He is going to use your situation to bring about something in your life or the life of another that glorifies Him and furthers His kingdom… There are many things it could be, but the only way to find out is to ask, seek and knock.

      I will say this though, if you are not willing to put up with your physical issue if it means more glory to God, or you are only willing to ‘serve’ God if you are physically sound, that indicates an issue of the heart that should be addressed. It’s totally ok if you are not there yet, and the only way to get there will be to pray and ask God to give you that Christ-like willingness to do whatever God has for you to do despite the circumstances you find yourself in, and maybe this is exactly why you are going through this trial.

      Christ is our ultimate example, and he was willing to be crucified for God’s glory and to save us. My prayer for my life and your life is that we attain that same level of humility and servant heart that Christ had which continues to press on towards the prize. Even if we don’t understand the ‘why’ of what we are going through, keeping our eyes focused on Christ and moving forwards is what we are called as Christian’s to do. Sometimes it’s really hard and doesn’t feel like we are gaining any ground, but I promise you that if you continue to seek God and to do His will through whatever trials and tribulations you experience, you will find yourself coming out of the other side of that storm strengthened and encouraged and with a new revelation in the mystery of God and His relationship with you.

  3. Hmm…i don’t think God knows me too well. You see, to have a good lasting relationship with me there has to be give and take. God gives me good phyiscal health and i give him my all. It is that simple. People with chronic pain are never happy. If they say they are they are liars. Forgive me God for all my lying. But it would not be that way if you’d take away my pain. I am not talking about petty pain like artritus or headache. I mean something more like post surgery pain. I have ask God several times what to do. No responce even if i have been born again. Do you think it is like the people at my church say, that the more money i put in tithe the more likely he will hear me? If that is true i better get a loan. My church people say of course that is why God gave me colatteral. Ok. I have wanted to know this a long time- if God is made in our image then he acts like us? I mean does he have male/female hormones too because he seems to treat me woman-like in his ways. And anyone who knows me knows i have few female friends. Hmm…but maybe thats all not important now. And thank you for your time. Sorry about my spelling errors.

    1. No problem at all, it’s a privilege to be able to talk with people who have genuine questions about God, the Bible and Christianity!

      So there are a few things that you mentioned that make me suspect you might have some assumptions about God and what it means to be a Christian that aren’t true or don’t line up with what God’s Word says.

      Firstly is the concept that if you give more money to a ‘church’ organization, that God will pay more attention to you or do what you ask Him to do, etc. This idea isn’t one that is anywhere in the Bible, and it sounds to me like that particular organization claiming to be part of God’s Church is in fact more interested in extorting money from it’s members than it is in following Christ. I don’t know what your affiliation is to that particular group or organization and it may indeed be they are following God in other areas, but that specific teaching is from everything I see in the Bible incorrect and wrong so I’d advise you not to adopt that line of thinking.

      But I also encourage you not to take my word for it, nor anyone else’s. Everyone will have their own opinion and lots of personal agenda’s to follow along with it… If you want to know who God is and what following God looks like, I’d really recommend 2 things: first is prayer, ask God to reveal himself to you, second is reading His Word (the Bible). I don’t know of any other way someone can get to know God. He sent His Word for you personally just as much as He sent it to anyone else, and He wants to develop a relationship with you. Jesus took the first step by sacrificing himself for you and I, it’s up to us to reach out and see what He’s all about now…

      But back to your original comments, in regard to God not knowing you well, I would suggest that in fact God knows you far better than you know yourself. And if you choose to follow Him, He will lead you into what is best for you in all aspects, including physical. Now that being said, your idea of what is ‘best’ for you physically may actually be different from God’s idea of what is best for you.

      I’ll give you an example from my own life that you might find relevant (hopefully). Before I decided to follow God, I was what I’d consider a ‘good’ person, I knew of God and believed that God was real and whatnot but figured I could sort of make things happen in my life as I wanted and wasn’t really interested in ‘following’ God. So I acknowledged Him but wasn’t willing to follow if that makes sense, I wanted to do what I thought was good/right and to steer my life in the way I figured it should go, I had dreams and goals and specific things I wanted to do, etc. I could be off base here but perhaps this is similar to what you are feeling/going through?

      But anyway, long story short I made numerous choices of what I decided was best for me and none of them were ‘evil’ or anything, I didn’t hurt people or steal, etc. but I ended up divorced, bitter, angry and with nothing to show after many years of trying to do what I figured was ‘best’ for me and right. Not to mention I had various health issues (which you can appreciate I think) that weren’t improving and no doctor seemed to be able to do anything about. I asked God to heal me too, and tried to make ‘deals’ with Him; healing in exchange for me doing good things for Him, etc. etc. but nothing ever changed.

      I came to the point where I realized that it didn’t really matter how ‘good’ of choices I made or what I thought was ‘best’ for me, etc. because even when things seemed like they should be good (aka, I got a job where I made a lot of money which was something I thought was what was ‘best’ for me), I was still very unhappy and unsatisfied. So finally, I ‘gave up’ as it were, and told God that He could do whatever He wanted to with my life, I would try to just follow Him from now on, as obviously I wasn’t able to do anything that was bringing me contentment and happiness on my own even when by all standards I should have been.

      That decision changed everything. Instantly, and I mean instantly I was at peace, and had a contentment I’d never felt before. My circumstances didn’t change, I still had the same physical issues, still had the same job, etc. etc. yet I was changed dramatically from a mental/emotional standpoint. God didn’t heal my physical issues right away, and there are still some He has left, but He has healed some of them as well even though I have done nothing to deserve it, nor can ever repay the debt I owe Him.

      Now back to the part about not knowing what is best for us, I had decided that I wasn’t very good in relationships (as I had several failed ones including a marriage), and therefore that must mean that God made me to be single. Not long after that God told me while I was praying that a certain woman I had recently met (but didn’t know at all) was the one He intended for me to marry. Interestingly enough, this girl was not the type of girl I would have in any other circumstance tried to develop a romantic relationship with, not that there is anything wrong with her just to be clear, she just didn’t have the personality I normally would have pursued, so naturally I was very skeptical… But I decided to trust God and started spending more time with her and asked her out, and married her shortly after. To this day I’m constantly amazed how ideal she is for me. I’m not saying she is perfect as in we never argue or she does everything I want or anything like that. I’m saying that she is an ideal wife for ‘me’, as in able to deal with my shortcomings and personality issues and all those things, as I am able to deal with hers. The chances of me ‘picking’ out a random girl like that who would be so suited for me are basically none, yet God led me right to her; I’m still astounded by it to this day!

      So I could have just continued on trying to do what’s ‘best’ for me and what I thought I should be doing, and ignored God’s direction, but truth be told I had no idea what was best for me, and I’m very thankful that God does know and does give my direction (although I don’t always follow it I’m sorry to say). I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be to hasty in deciding that God doesn’t know what is ‘right’ or ‘best’ for you just because you believe you know or what you feel God leading you into isn’t what you ‘think’ He should be leading you into.

      The made in God’s image question is a good one, I think you have to remember that yes, we are indeed made in God’s image, however, unlike God, we have (at least for now) evil coexisting with us as we live in a fallen world as it were. So while God certainly does (at least according to the Bible) have emotions such as anger, joy, disappointment, etc. you have to keep in mind that those emotions never cause God to do anything ‘evil’ or ‘wrong’ like they do with us as human’s.

      Finally, the other point you raised about people being ‘happy’ is another good observation. I think though you might be lumping ‘happy’ and ‘content’ into the same basket when I believe they are two separate things especially when it comes to talking about Christianity and how followers of Christ differ from other religions or people. I am definitely not ‘happy’ when I am in severe pain (or even moderate pain for that matter), so I totally agree with you on that point. I can however still be ‘content’ despite adverse circumstances such as being in pain. I don’t mean ‘content’ as in I don’t care whether or not the pain will subside per say though, I mean accepting that I am in a situation that is difficult but having peace through God about the situation and comfort knowing I’m not alone.

      That I think is a key difference in a real Christian who has a relationship with Christ vs. those that do not. As Paul puts it in Philippians 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” And Paul certainly went through very adverse situations (shipwreck, beatings, prison, physical pain, etc. etc.). Was he ‘happy’ when He was enduring those things? I’d say probably not, especially what we would consider ‘happyness’ to be, but he knew how to be content in God despite his circumstances and find his Joy in Christ despite bad things happening to him.

      In a similar way, I could be choose to be ‘unhappy’ because I don’t make nearly as much money as I used to (I left that high paying job), or I could be ‘content’ with my current circumstances because I know God will always provide for my needs. Would I say no to a raise at my current job if I was offered one? No I’d accept the raise of course! But my happiness isn’t tied to the amount of money I make or have, my joy is in Christ’s kingdom and the future. In the same way, would I refuse if God wanted to heal me of the other physical issues I have and take away the often severe pain I experience? Of course not! I’d welcome healing, but I would still be content and joyful and thankful towards God regardless, as He has provided me with countless other blessings and things I can choose to be thankful for; first and foremost the sacrifice of Christ which is why I have hope for the (otherwise bleak) future. I find if I change my viewpoint from the troubles of this world to the promises of the next one, that I cannot help but feel peace and contentment even if I am going through a difficult time.

      Hopefully some of that makes sense and was helpful in some way to you 🙂

      We’ll be praying for you!

  4. Ok. What does the bible say about mental illness? Are those kind of people held accountable for their actions? Will God send them to eternal punishment?

    1. Good question, I think you might find this article interesting also in regards to the ‘eternal punishment’ mention: http://thefrequentlyaskedchristians.com/bible-actually-say-hell-eternal-punishment/

      But I don’t see there being differentiation in the Bible from physical illness to mental illness, as far as I can see they would be considered the same. I would suggest that the ‘accountability’ of someone towards God is dependent on various factors, one of the primary ones being their level of understanding and what is in their heart in terms of good/evil. Romans 2:14 eludes to this I think. So for example someone who has never heard of Jesus or God and lives their life and dies would not be held to the same level of accountability as say a spiritual teacher (James 3:1), however I think they would be accountable to an extent for their heart/mind, actions and choices whether good or evil.

      Ultimately it’s God that knows the true heart of a person. A lot of people according to the Bible anyway will claim to know God and follow God but will in fact not be (Matthew 7:23). So it’s quite difficult to say: “Well in this specific example what will God do for that person?” type thing, because we don’t know their true heart or motives regardless.

      So in the mental illness example, God knows that person’s heart/mind and will judge righteously and justly, which gives me relief/comfort and thankfulness that we don’t have to worry about trying to determine ‘who’ gets in and who doesn’t as it were or anything like that. It’s all in God’s hands at the end of the day and He will always do what is right and true.

    1. That’s a struggle we all share I think 🙂

      Being thankful and appreciative and content with life only comes through God, and it’s something that’s developed over time through relationship with Him. Keep seeking Him and He will reveal Himself to you. Read His Word and spend time in prayer, be honest and truthful with Him and yourself. I believe you’ll find what you are searching for, but I doubt it will be what you expect (it will be better!).

    1. That’s an interesting question and I think the answer depends again on you.

      For example, the difference between ‘complaining’ and ‘petitioning’ to God depend entirely on you, your heart/mindset, how you approach the issue, etc.

      I would encourage you not to just say to God something like this: “Lord I’m very unthankful, please change my circumstances to something that I believe I will enjoy more.”

      Rather, I’d suggest something like: “Lord, please change my heart so that I will learn to be thankful regardless of what circumstances I am in, and help me to see all the reasons I do have to be thankful and appreciate them, and find opportunities to serve you despite my circumstances.”

      The key to being appreciative/content, etc. isn’t in your circumstances and how ‘good’ they are, how much money you make, how great a spouse or significant other you have, how good your health is, etc. Contentment comes from God and it’s a really an amazing thing when He gives you that peace and contentment and joy when you are going through a tough time in life. Humility is a big part of that, and learning to focus on God and the future kingdom rather than this brief life we have here on earth I find really helps too.

      I’d really encourage you to read the Word, start in Psalms perhaps, as you might find some relevance in what David went through when he was in tough times and pouring his heart out to the Lord.

  5. I have read The Word five times now. I still don’t have a very clear idea. Must be my learning disability #2, for i have 5 other disabilities. And yes i did ask God to help me understand. But i am only in my 50s. Perhaps when i am much older i will understand.

    1. I’ve read the Bible many times as well, but there is still lots I don’t understand too 🙂 I just keep asking God for wisdom and understanding and try my best to walk in what I know with the understanding that I have. I don’t think we will ever get to a point on this earth where we ‘know it all’ regardless so I wouldn’t be too concerned if there are things you don’t understand about God or in His Word 😀

  6. Greetings. It has been awhile no? Funniest things have been happening around me. Since i have been showing unthankfulness, accidents to the people around me who have wronged me been going on. Hmm what do you make of that?

    1. Hi Alison, nice to hear from you again!

      So I’m not sure exactly what you are asking. Are you asking if I think God is ‘punishing’ people that have wronged you because you have adopted an attitude of unthankfulness? If so then no I definitely don’t think that’s the case 🙂 Basically everything in God’s Word refutes that line of thinking. That being said though, sounds like an excellent opportunity to pray for those people who have wronged you if they are going through tough times as well.

      What I do know will result in an attitude of unthankfulness though is a life of bitterness and you being robbed of the joy and fulfillment in Christ you could have regardless of your circumstances if you choose to surrender your life to Him.

      I’d encourage you again to read God’s Word, draw close to Him and pray, ask Him to teach you how to be thankful despite difficult circumstances and to draw your strength from Him. He has things planned for you that are far better than anything you could come up with yourself I guarantee it. Walk with Him and find out… ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ as it were. I am confident you will not be disappointed.

  7. But it seems like to me He is taking His vengence out on the people, and there are many, who have did me wrong. Does not the bible say He does these things? Let vengence be mine sayeth the Lord. I feel more joy now then i have in years.

    1. Hi Alison,

      I think taking a single verse from the Bible out of context and applying it to a personal situation to suit your view of something never leads to anything of God.

      God does indeed say in Romans 12:19 for example, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” but He also says in Matthew 5:44–45 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

      A lot of people leave this life without being ‘avenged’ per-say, I mean look at how many martyrs have given their lives and how many injustices have been done to innocent people without repercussion. Claiming that God is ‘punishing’ people who you personally feel have slighted you or wronged you, whether true or untrue when you yourself admit you are unthankful towards God and not close to Him would seem extremely unlikely. Not that it couldn’t be the case I suppose, I mean God is God and He can do all things and it could indeed be those people are experiencing the results of their actions to a degree, who knows.

      However again I’ll reiterate what I stated: you yourself will experience the result of an unthankful and bitter heart towards God. And I’m not saying God will ‘punish’ you per-say for being unthankful, I’m saying the result of being unthankful and bitter is a miserable life, whether God adds or takes anything away from it or not, if that makes sense. 😉

      You say you are ‘joyful’ because your ‘enemies’ are going through difficult circumstances. That isn’t a right attitude or heart from what I see Biblically. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him, and asked God to not hold their sin against them, THAT is the example we have to follow, and it’s a tough one!

      The Spirit of God seeks to see those ‘enemies’ of yours who are struggling be reconciled to God, as the Spirit seeks you yourself to be reconciled to God. Christ died for you personally, and for each one of those people also who have wronged you in some way. I’m also very confident that you yourself have wronged people in your life, either intentionally or unintentionally, and I think it’s important to keep that in mind. You are just as guilty before God as each one of those people who have slighted you, yet God has extended His grace and mercy to you as well as them. Examine yourself then and determine if you honestly believe you are any more or less ‘deserving’ of God’s healing, grace, mercy, etc. than they are?

      I personally have always come to the conclusion I am no better than the next person and deserve nothing at all good from God. Thus, with that realization comes a recognition that anything good God has provided I should be thankful for, rather than being unthankful and bitter for the things in my life I don’t care for or think should be changed, etc. I think we go through ‘phases’ similar to the Israelites wandering in the deserts, we get prideful, unthankful, selfish, etc. and slip away from God, we recognize our mistakes (often God brings them to our attention one way or another!) and repent, then God draws us back in a bit deeper than we were before, then the process repeats! Would be awesome if we didn’t slip into those negative things constantly but alas, the human nature is difficult to contend with. By God’s grace we will overcome!

  8. I have been serving God for 15 years. 3 years into my Christian life I suffered severe mental torment & brain damage from something that happened to me which is a long story. This damage has made it hard for me to pray & to read His word. Because of this mental affliction, I can’t pray, I can’t read His word, I can’t remember things from the bible, my joy is gone & I am now a miserable & majorly depressed Christian. Who would want to become a christian, after seeing how miserable & depressed I am as a Christian ? What kind of relationship can I have with God if my brain damage has affected my memory, my intellect & my prayer life. How can God dare to call himself a God of love & dare to tell me that He loves me & leave me in the mess that I’m in ?

    1. Appreciate you taking the time to comment Gerardo.

      That sounds like a very tough situation and I feel for you, I think this also goes along with the http://thefrequentlyaskedchristians.com/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/ topic too, and it’s certainly a difficult one to address especially for people who are going through hard times like yourself.

      I would suggest though that you might be thinking about your situation from the wrong point of view. David goes through some very difficult times, he is outlawed by his own people, all his possessions and livelihood are taken away, he’s living in the wilderness with no real end to those bad circumstances that he can see aside from Saul catching him, yet he doesn’t question God’s authority or love, he instead approaches God as his only real hope and friend in his time of tribulation. There are a lot of verses in Psalms written by David during this time period when he was at his lowest, many of them are pretty bitter and sad but he always turns to God for his help and his strength. I think this approach is how we need to look to God in these times of troubles if we want to get through them.

      The other thing I would point out is that God will always have purpose for those who are willing to follow Him, regardless of what circumstance they are in. Oftentimes it seems when things get rough we as humans focus on ourselves and our situation and cry out to God to change the situation, and if He doesn’t we get angry and bitter and so forth (I know I did) and start questioning God’s ‘goodness’ as you seem to be doing here now. But I think if we truly commit ourselves to God’s service, then it doesn’t really matter what situation we are in, whether it be severe chronic illness, imprisonment, ridicule, beatings, execution, etc. the circumstances won’t really matter. Either we commit to God and trust in Him that He will lead us through all things, or we don’t and decide that we must know better and that God needs to follow our rules and ideas of what is good… Historically speaking this choice always ends in disaster so I think it’s safe to say it’s the wrong choice.

      I know none of these words will really do anything to soothe your pain and your hurt and the difficulty of what you’re going through, but I do know that it’s only God and His mercy and power and grace that can do that, and I hope you find yourself in a place where you fully surrender your life such as it is, bad things and good things, to God and He leads you into a place of healing and recovery and you come out on the other side (whatever that looks like) stronger and in a deeper relationship with God than you had before.

  9. I suffer from a medical condition that makes me smell of ammonia every single day, regardless of how immaculate my hygiene is. I’ve tried different soaps, deodorants, diets and supplements. I’ve made numerous physician appointments only to be ridiculed and told that it’s all in my head. I’ve pleaded with God time after time to heal me and He won’t. Meanwhile people gossip, slander, bully and make fun of me because of this condition. My career, reputation and life are beyond ruined. I have no hope. As a result, I’ve considered suicide because what’s the point in living like this? God gets the glory because I’m suffering, and what exactly do I get?

    1. Hi Watson, thank you for taking the time to comment.

      So I certainly can sympathize and I appreciate it sucks to go through that type of thing… However I have to ask, did you really read the post you responded too?
      The reason I’m asking is because it seems like from your question ‘what exactly do I get’, that you might have maybe just skimmed it over or responded based on the title of the post, but I think if you took the time to read it, it may help get you thinking about what following Christ is all about and give a different perspective on things. I’d also suggest the following posts relating to this topic:
      https://thefrequentlyaskedchristians.com/can-god-good-loving/
      https://thefrequentlyaskedchristians.com/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/
      https://thefrequentlyaskedchristians.com/hasnt-god-healed/

      I think the gist of this very popular topic though is that regardless of your situation in this very temporary/short life (whether you are sick, healthy, rich, poor, etc.) It doesn’t really seem to matter in making a person ‘happy’ or ‘fulfilled’. People get the idea in their minds that ‘if only this situation was different…’ THEN I’d be happy, or THEN I could really find fulfillment or THEN I could change from being bitter and angry and cruel… etc. etc. AKA, it’s the circumstance they are in that is ‘causing’ them to be how they are.

      While circumstances and situations certainly can be very unpleasant, what people (myself included) have consistently found is that EVEN when the circumstance changes, they are still unhappy, bitter, angry, unfulfilled, etc. etc. An easy way to demonstrate this is to look at the suicide rates of millionaires; people who by all worldly standards should be the happiest most content people in the world! There is something in every person that cries out for something ‘more’ than what this world can promise or deliver…

      If you choose to follow Christ, that means a ‘laying aside’ of your worldly pursuits in favor of God’s design and plans. The ‘What exactly do I get?’ attitude in each of us becomes a ‘What would you have me do, Lord?’ one. And as God begins to transform your being you find that the cares and concerns of the world, including your physical condition, are no longer a burden to you as they were before, because they become God’s. I’m not promising God will ‘heal’ your physical condition (although I certainly believe He may), but I’m saying a life spent following Christ will be rewarding, fulfilling and better than anything you could dream up on your own DESPITE difficult temporary circumstances or situations you may have in this (again very short/temporary) life.

      I hope that made some kind of sense, and I hope you come to trust in God and let Him lead you where you need to go.

      – Timothy

      1. Thank you Timothy for responding to my rant. I certainly don’t mean to be disrespectful towards God, or feel entitled to His help. I’ve read in the Bible that He (God), is good, kind, merciful, compassionate and forbearing among other positive qualities.
        Because of this condition, I feel very frustrated, ashamed humiliated and guilty. Guilty that I’m repulsive and offensive to others. Again, thank you for responding to my rant. And thank you for the links. I will read them.

        1. You are very welcome. I appreciate your genuineness and it’s always ok to be honest about where you are at and what you are feeling!

          I hope you find some of these responses useful and encouraging, and please don’t hesitate to bring more rants or questions as they come up. I am very confident that whatever circumstances or physical conditions we find ourselves in, it is NO hindrance to God being able to work out His perfect will for us if we choose to follow Him.

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