[RozG]

and please don't nobody hate me for asking this, i'm asking in genuine innocence coz i want to understand.

a neighbor of mine tells me every day that God is good and that she's one of God's children. here's what i don't understand. if God is so good and she is one of His children...why has she been on anti-depressants for 10 yrs and she's none the better? does that mean God doesn't have the power to heal his children or she doesn't have enough faith to be healed?

genuine apologies if anyone finds this question insulting but i genuinely don't understand...i thought God was all-powerful?

[Rapunzel]

None of us will have the answers, especially for someone else. But I believe that we are here for many purposes that ultimately are to help us to learn and grow and maximize our potential. Maybe there is a reason that it is to her ultimate good to have the trials that she has. She certainly seems to have strong faith, and maybe that is the point. Have you ever talked to her about her thoughts on the matter?

[RozG]

Rapunzel, no i haven't coz i find her kinda scarey. Like she knows coz of my background i mostly find religious things scarey...yet she always stops me in the street to ask if she can lay her hands on my head and pray for me.
sorry but i find that a bit creepy...maybe i'm over-reacting coz i am curious but things need to go at my pace. or maybe that's just selfish of me coz it's supposed to go at God's pace?

[recluse1]

I don't think it is selfish KJ. I believe in God myself. But I have to admitt that I too would probably be creeped out myself by that. If someone wants to pray for me, hey, that's great. But I'm not sure if I want just anyone laying their hands on me. Just politely let her know that you aren't comfortable with it. No harm in that I wouldn't think.

But back to your original question....I believe God can do anything for anyone. I also believe, as Rapunzel said above, there is a reason for everything and a purpose for everyone. Maybe her suffering allows her to understand the pain of others.

[Kiya]

Like Rap said, none of us can have any official answers...
I've gone through seminary and i can't either. but i can tell you what' i've heard.
sometimes ppl have to really believe (and want) to be healed. This is not to say that the woman doesn't. But sometimes we don't know that, or don't know if we have enough... or some part withus sabotages our efforts.

If she is a "wounded healer" then maybe she takes in other's pain in order to heal them...

Some would say "God can only do for us what he can do through us".

Some might say it is Karma.

My Dean would have said "it just is". That God is the only power and yet not the cause of things. That is to say that even tho (this is her belief) there is no such thing as evil, and that there is only one power, that that power does not dictate the deeds in the world or our own life... not that they are separate, but that they just "are". and it is good. That there is inherent good in things (which is different than to say things "are" good as in "we like them"). She also used to say "G.O.D = Good Orderly Direction"

There are so many possibilities. You must believe what is right for you (but personally, I always think questioning is good).

Have i confused you yet? =) Kiya

[RozG]

thank you recluse1, all answers and opinions help.

[RozG]

I don't think you've confused me yet...unless my interpretation of what you said is wrong?

here goes...

"That God is the only power and yet not the cause of things."

i take that to mean that God can only give us all choices and it's up to us what we do with those choices (?)

ooh help...somebody put that straight if i'm wrong!

and Kiya...i don't think it's possible to confuse me, i'm confused already.

[Kiya]

bingo =)

[RozG]

wow Kiya...see you didn't confuse me, you helped me find the answer to my question. it ended with "i thought God was all-powerful?" well, i think he is but only if people let him be and that answers my question...thank you for your help.

[SeptemberMorn]

KJ, the Apostle Paul, after he was converted, asked Jesus to remove "a thorn from his side," supposedly some unnamed ailment. God's answer to Paul was "My grace is sufficient for you." By "grace" he meant "unmerited favor." God didn't heal Paul, but He helped him deal with it.

Christians also believe that God is made strong in our weakness. He is more able to work through us when we aren't in total control. We can't be, if we want God to work through us. Am I making things as clear as mud?

Obviously, your neighbor doesn't hold it against God that she lives with depression. I think of it as "the human condition." All of us have "a thorn in our side" of one kind or the other.

Your neighbor could possibly be a Charismatic Christian or Penticostal... umm... what some call a Holy Roller. They believe that "the laying on of hands" makes for a stronger connection. It's Biblical but it's also used in other areas. The energy of the person praying or "sending vibes" is stronger when they touch the other person. Even knowing this, I doubt that I would welcome someone touching me like that while they prayed, especially if I don't know them well.

[DocJohn]

I would ask again that members please refrain from mentioning specific religious beliefs or religions in this or any thread on this forum.

It is for discussion of spirituality, and as we have made clear, there is to be no religious talk on it.

Thank you,
DocJohn

[RozG]

sorry...my fault...i just gotta go asking questions that get people into trouble when they answer.

[ziggy1]

K_J the Question was directed towards doc john, but its an open forum so feel free to give your opinion on it...???

I have a feeling its been asked before but not sure?

[RozG]

ok...i do feel responsible for this one coz i started this thread but...i genuinely don't see how people can explore spirituality without religion coming into it at some point in some shape, manner or form. geez sometimes i feel so stupid but i don't think i'm being stupid here, i think this is a valid point?

[ziggy1]

Yah its a very fine Line discussion. Many people have different

opinions on the situation. The same with Politics. I just

suggested a forum for those who take religion more seriously.

Idk....But anyone is welcome to give their opinion. On a

religious forum that is not religion itself. Unless of course a

forum was started, then that would be a different story.

[DocJohn]

ziggy, I moved your question out of this thread, because it has nothing to do with the Original Poster's question or topic. It's in the Support forum if you're looking for it and I'll discuss it there.

Thanks,
DocJohn

[SeptemberMorn]

I'm more than willing to take the "blame" here. I answered K_J the only way I know how. My answer is the only answer I know because my life experience has proven it so.

All humans have "a thorn in their side" and many of them have prayed to have it removed. Some prayers are answered in the affirmative and some are not. Would that have been a BETTER answer? I was merely giving an example of the answer another human received.

Thanks for not locking the thread, though.

[Perna]

My spirituality is not religious in nature. So I can tell you where I'm coming from without referring to my religious beliefs.

God, however you think of him/her/"it", may be omnipotent but is not likely to be indiscriminate! Gravity, for example, is a law he/she/"it" made/allowed/watched show up so the physical world, of which I'm part, would work the way it does. And while he/she/"it" can go against gravity, and buses can fall off cliffs and airplanes out of the sky and not everyone die; who dies and who does not, is a function of each individual's life/spirituality and I can't know why he/she/"it" allows that other individual to have/not have whatever problem they have because that's not my life.

It is quite possible he/she/"it" has you knowing this person so you will consider/ask this question! Too, the other person's healing may take 11 years (kind of like it raining 40 days and 40 nights -- things take the time they take; sleeping beauty had to wait for the kiss -- a lot of spirituality is looking forward in faith that, "someday my prince will come" :-); we can't know the future. I'm sure you've seen It's a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. We're all connected in spiritual as well as emotional ways in much too complicated a fashion to try to second guess?

[RozG]

((((SeptemberMorn)))) don't blame yourself, if i wasn't so stupid i wouldn't have to ask questions in the first place...geez i'll just stay an atheist it's simpler.

[RozG]

((Perna)) thanks so much for your input but i give up on this stuff...i'll stay an atheist thanks, from what i've seen of spirituality (or the R word stuff) it just causes badness.

...i did like and understand your answer tho

[SeptemberMorn]

Your question was VERY valid, K_J! You have the right to ask... if only by PM.

Take note of those of us whom you'd like to ask questions of and get their view on things, ask by PM, but ask your questions!

[RozG]

((SeptemberMorn)) it's sweet of you to offer that advice but...if this forum is what it means to be spiritual...i'd rather stay a hippy and an atheist and have love in my heart than become spiritual.

thanks to all who've taken the time to reply to this thread but please...it doesn't matter any more.

[SeptemberMorn]

"Him/her/'it'"?? Is that "politican correctness"? Oh, please!

[RozG]

PLEASE do NOT turn this thread into a row? is this what happens when someone attempts to be more spiritual? then maybe i'll just aspire to be the complete opposite coz i won't have a thread i started used for people nitpicking each other...do you all love and respect your God or not? if so please show HIS love and NOT your own human frailties here of all places.

why did i even bother thinking spirituality could be for me?

(((((Kalamity_Jane )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Have i ever told you how much you matter here.
that any question you have is worth it
that i was taught always to ask
that you are a good person

that spirituality can be for you((it already is)))
your heart shows it
you matter sweetie
muffy
hope this was ok it was not really a answer
but i care