Posted by JohnL on November 1, 1999, at 17:37:09
In reply to Philosophy 101 or God & depression ect..., posted by Carol on November 1, 1999, at 15:11:14
Hi Carol. Interesting topic. Can I join in?
There are probably 101 ways to approach this one. But here's a little bit of how I feel about it.
I think in some ways we are being tested like Job, kind of. Not really tested, but God definitely wants us to call on Him. It may or may not be His will for us to be cured, but He wants us to have the faith and the persistence to call on Him for strength and trust. He can get us over the humps when nothing else can. That's what I think. He gave us doctors and medicines for our use. But without faith they are hollow.
Also, you know the saying "God works in mysterious ways." I believe there is a purpose and a reason for our troubles. We usually don't know why until we have the benefit of hind sight years later. Maybe it's just so we turn to Him. Maybe it's to direct our paths in a certain direction that ultimately turns out good. Maybe it's for the insight needed to help others who are also in trouble. Maybe it's to have the perspective to "see" more than the average person. I don't know. Could go on and on. But I believe the ultimate purpose is loaded with enough goodness to more than make up for all the badness. Basically I do believe there is a silver lining. We just don't know yet what it is. But God wants us to have the faith to know there is indeed a silver lining as long as He's involved. Am I just rambling? Or am I making any sense?
poster:JohnL
thread:14368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/14378.html