[Justice]

I was raised in a really twisted religious envoronment,so I get really confused about the truth about God,and sometimes right and wrong,in the laws of God,not the laws of the land.But I was told once that God would not give any one person more than they can handle.Is that really true?Does anyone know?I don't consider myself a religous person,but I do consider myself a spiritual person.I pray sometimes,but I don't pray for me,I pray for others,and I thank God for the things I've been blessed with.I feel like if I pray for me,than it's selfish.That's one of the twisted beliefs I was taught growing up.My family didn't teach me the truth about the religion I grew up in,they almost made it up as they went,so I didn't get the real version of that religion!

[Jomar]

I think that is just a saying, but I'm not sure.
When I was having a bad time I went to a used bookstore and found a Bible that was easy to read { some are more old language wordy versions}.
And I just started reading at the beginning for awhile and then went to Psalms and Wisdom sections - those are very powerful sections and will help to give you internal peace.

[BJ]

The title peaked my interest so I thought I'd take a peak. Justice it was Mother Teresa who said

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

That last line is the key Justice .....God has trust in us and if you believe that, you have no worries.

Must go sleep

[moose53]

You know something, Justice.

I was raised a Catholic and converted to Judaism during my divorce.

I'm more eclectic now -- a little bit of everything.

I've seen people that are very combative with their religion. When I was in hospital taking care of Mom during her last days, one woman actually told me that my Mother was dying because I was a practicing Jew. No word on why her sister was in the same room as my Mother I found her comments to be extemely hateful and hurtful. She called herself a "good Christian"

My Mom's doctor was also a "good Christian". He sat by the bedside and prayed before surgery. My Mom didn't like it. But, I did. He was able to bring his religion to his work without being offensive about it. He prayed for God's help and guidance in his hands before he operated. I found him to be a very caring and loving and thoughtful and religious man who did not use his religion to hurt others.

That, I think, is the key. If you can practice your religion (whatever it is) in a thoughtful and kind and caring way without being cruel to others who do not believe as you do. And if you can have tolerance for people who believe differently than you do. If your beliefs bring you comfort during difficult and painful times. Then I think you have mastered the whole reason why people turn to G-d for help.

Religion is supposed to be a comfort and a support and means to help others. It's not supposed to be a weapon that you use to get children to mind or a weapon to get others to believe as you do.

Justice, you have a kind and caring heart. I can't help but believe that if you let your heart lead you to the best religious practices for you, that you will find comfort and you will find soul-satisfaction.

Hugs.

Barb

[KathyM]

Hi Justice

I was raised Christian, but I no longer belong to the church or call myself a Christian (nothing personal, just don't like labels).

I don't think it's selfish to pray for yourself, as long as you're careful in what you pray for. When praying for myself, I tend to pray for strength and understanding instead of specifics. I also think it's important to pay attention to the world around you - the noise and the silence.

When I look back on the burdens I've had to carry, I see why I had to carry them. They were useful lessons and tools. They either served to give me strength, or they provided me with the expertise I need today. If others had carried the burden for me completely, or sheltered me from life, I'd be in a real mess now.

If my illness progresses as my mother's did, my future burdens will slip into the category of extreme challenge. I've got nothing better to do, so I figure I'll see how much I can take. I won't allow my world to come crashing down on me until it really does come crashing down on me.

[theoneRogue420]

Hi Justice I can't help but notice that you are in Utah... did you grow up LDS? I can also fully understand you're not wanting to be there, lol.... I went to a boarding school in Utah. I much prefer San Diego too...I'm an O.B. woman!

I gave up on religion many moons ago. I am a very spiritual person, though. Your relationship with God is personal, and you really don't need any person to lead you to Him. Ministers etc. are human, with human motivations like greed, envy and lust. They may not mean to, but they cannot help but insert their personal foibles into their teachings.

Yes, I do firmly believe that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. The problem is that WE seldom know what we can handle till it slaps us in the face, lol. I have had rsd/crps for 14 years now, hiv/aids for 8, and was diagnosed with epilepsy this year. If someone had ever told me I'd get all these diseases and be able to handle it, I'd have laughed at them and said "not me, no way... I'd kill myself first". Well, I'm still here, even if I'm not always sure why.

[SallysMom]

Justice,

I think the opposite is actually true. God sometimes gives us more than we can handle so we can learn to depend totally on Him.

Of course it is all right to pray for yourself and your needs. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When Jesus died on the cross, he died for your sins, but he also wants to live his life in you. Here is a quote I have heard a lot lately....

Jesus gave His life FOR us, so that He could give His Life TO us, so that He could live His Life THROUGH us.

Judy

[dorrie]

Hello Justice I am a member of a 12 step group for alcoholics. I have always considered myself spiritual, not religious. I went to Sunday school when I was young and sometimes I said my prayers. Usually I said my prayers when I was in some sort of trouble and wanted God to get me out of the spot that I got myself in. I spent my entire life searching for love. I never felt loved at home with my parents. I sought out love from men. I thought that when someone loved my that I would be happy. I beleived that so much that I tried to keep these people as close to me as I could....I treasured them! For some reason they all eventually would leave me. I was in a great deal of emotional pain because of it and at an early age I began to drink to cope...and forget...and to not have to deal with how I felt....empty, alone, sad. I continued on like that untill I was in my mid thirties. Along the way I had 2 wonderful children who I love very much....however there was a time when I loved them as much as I could...big difference! I had many relationships, no job, I had a welfare chenck to get by....and I had a bad addiction, one that would have me driven to go to any length to obtain alcohol. By the time I quit drinking I had also lost my grandfather, found out that my daughter had been sexually abused by my sons father, my parents would not speak to me...my sister and I had physical wars, my brother took my son away from me...I was with someone who was a suspect in a horrific rape and murder of a child( I didn't know this when we got together) I had also almost killed my sons father when I was drinking because I knew that he was going to beat me that night. I snapped and put the spike heel of my shoe into his head. I really could have killed him. I also in defence of myself, stabbed him in the arm with a fork....all sounds crazy doesn't it. That is really just part of my unmanageable life!! I actually was to the point of drinking a 26er and a mickey of tequila every day when I finally had to stop. I actually worried about me. I was afraid because I was so physically, emotionally and spiritually drained!!!!! Again I was in such a spot and asked God for help. I really meant it too! I was praying for me! I went to my 12 step group and learned that if I was willing to turn my life over to the power of God , than he could help me get out of of THIS jackpot. I was willing. I wanted to get better because I knew that I was dreadfully sick. I hung in there. I kept turning my will and my life over to the care of God. Each day and only ONE day at a time a climbed up out of the depths of dispair with Gods help. I prayed about absolutely everything. Some days were good some days were rough....but they were alot better than any of my best drinking days!! Slowly, gradually.....ONE DAY AT A TIME...I was learning how to deal with life. I changed alot of things.....I changed my friends...sought out councelling had had my sons father held accountable with the law for what he had donr to my daughter...I got single!!!!!i LEARNED TO LIKE WHO i WAS AND TO REALIZE THAT i DID NOT NEED ANOTHER PERSONS LOVE AND APPROVAL TO BE A WORTHY PERSON!!! I came to terms with my Grandfathers death and actually had to deal with my other grandfathers death, in sobriety!!My son and I did not have a good relationship. He was deeply affected by my alcoholism. I have prayed and sought forgiveness for years in my sobriety and now I am happy to say that my son and I have a wonderful relationsip...and he has given me the most beautiful grandaughter too! My daughter is still having a rough time but I pray for her too and I have faith that my prayers will be answered. I worked through my issues with my parents( in councelling) and have let the past go. My parents did the best that they could and we are very close now. They now tell me that they love me all the time and it makes me feel good. My sis and bro and I get along great too! I have new friends...good ones, I love my life. I evenually met another recovering alcoholic and we have started a life together. I rather like this thing called life!! I have a frend that I talk to each and every day now. I speak to him like any other friend. He loves me and I know it.. I ask him for all sorts of things...and he usually helps me out...if he thinks the time is right!! He has put alot on my plate....all of my life...for whatever the reason. I think that he actually uses Heavens biggest platter for ME!!! But in good times and bad...I have always managed to deal with whatever he puts on it. Now in sobriety I am able to notice that good things that he generously heaps on my platter rather than only seeing the negative.. I think that the negative is there for a reason...we need to look deep into it and try to figure out what lesson could God be trying to teach us? I am so grateful for my full platter, Justine!!! Hang in there girl....Get your seatbelt on and ask God to shower you with his love like he has for me. Enjoy the ups and downs....thats life and its great to be alive!!! God Bless!!

[Darlene]

Justice,

Seems you are getting a lot of answers to your question. So I would like to put my 2 cents in.

I was raised in a home that didn't attend church on a regular bases. But that did stop me, my parents would always take me and drop me off, and I am thankful for that.

I feel as though God gives us what we can handle. Then again he has to test us all all times with temptations to see which way we will turn. Which pathway we will take, either sinful or faithful.

When I am praying it is for illness(phyiscal or religious), forgiveness, thanking him for Jesus who came to earth to teach the many lost souls through him or his followers, thanking Him for my husband and kids and for watching over them. These are just some of the things I do asking for. As for me, I do pray for myself that He will guide me in the right ways.

Yes, I am a regular church goer, just about every time the doors are opening. I alway feel safe everywhere, but especially there.

Darlene

[Justice]

You got it right,it was the LDS Church! Because of the harm they caused my life,they meaning certain church authority members,and my Mom,and brother,I am not LDS.I got out as soon as I could get away from my Mom's control.She told me beliefs that they had that other members have told me are not true.She would make me go to church even when I was sick.Once I got grounded, because an Ambulance had to be called and rush me to the hospital from church.Her reasoning was because I caused a scene,and was irreverent in church that day! It wasn't my fault I stopped breathing,I told her I was sick,and couldn't go in the first place,and she still made me go.I won't get into the main reason behind my hatred for that church,because not all LDS members are bad,in fact,some of my really good friends are LDS.I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings if anyone here is LDS.I was baptised as a non-denominal Christian in the late 90's in California.I had been attending the North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad/La Costa,CA Now I do not attend any religion at all,the only one that even comes close to what I believe in,is Buddhism. I believe that God is more of an essence,then an actual being,like all things that are good and beautiful,like love,and happiness,just all that is positive in everything in life,and after.Enlightenment.That's just what I believe.But I still believe you can pray,and it will be heard. I just want to feel better,but there are so many out there that are worse off than me,that it would be selfish to ask for that,unless I'm asking for the others to feel better.

Originally Posted by theoneRogue420

Hi Justice I can't help but notice that you are in Utah... did you grow up LDS? I can also fully understand you're not wanting to be there, lol.... I went to a boarding school in Utah. I much prefer San Diego too...I'm an O.B. woman!

I gave up on religion many moons ago. I am a very spiritual person, though. Your relationship with God is personal, and you really don't need any person to lead you to Him. Ministers etc. are human, with human motivations like greed, envy and lust. They may not mean to, but they cannot help but insert their personal foibles into their teachings.

Yes, I do firmly believe that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. The problem is that WE seldom know what we can handle till it slaps us in the face, lol. I have had rsd/crps for 14 years now, hiv/aids for 8, and was diagnosed with epilepsy this year. If someone had ever told me I'd get all these diseases and be able to handle it, I'd have laughed at them and said "not me, no way... I'd kill myself first". Well, I'm still here, even if I'm not always sure why.