Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been thinking about the existence of God and whether there is a plan for each of us ever since my friend's sweet little three-year-old boy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Why do some people have to suffer so much more than others? Why do some people seemingly live a charmed life with very few problems and others must endure trial after trial? Is there a form of life after death? What is the purpose of this life? I would love to hear more of other people's thoughts regarding this topic.

Lots of people have lots of thoughts on this subject, but that doesn't mean any of them are right. Lots of people are taught to believe there is a god who has a plan for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's true. It's just stuff people like to think about or believe.

I agree. So if 250 people die in a plane crash, it was the plan for each them to be on that aircraft and lose their life?

Anonymous wrote:I've been thinking about the existence of God and whether there is a plan for each of us ever since my friend's sweet little three-year-old boy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Why do some people have to suffer so much more than others? Why do some people seemingly live a charmed life with very few problems and others must endure trial after trial? Is there a form of life after death? What is the purpose of this life? I would love to hear more of other people's thoughts regarding this topic.

Lots of people have lots of thoughts on this subject, but that doesn't mean any of them are right. Lots of people are taught to believe there is a god who has a plan for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's true. It's just stuff people like to think about or believe.

Anonymous wrote:"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Ecclesiastes 7:4

in other words, crying is better than laughing?

"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Ecclesiastes 7:4

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure I don't want any part of a "god" who allows tragedies in our lives in order to move us in a certain direction. That's pretty sick and twisted.

+1000000000 It's a very sick concept.

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure I don't want any part of a "god" who allows tragedies in our lives in order to move us in a certain direction. That's pretty sick and twisted.

Pretty sure I do not want a part of people who write off a huge segment of the population as "tragedies." And I'm not even religious.

Pretty sure I don't want any part of a "god" who allows tragedies in our lives in order to move us in a certain direction. That's pretty sick and twisted.

You've asked a question that has no answer. For instance, when my brother died tragically at age 30 and left behind three little kids (ironically, my dad also died tragically around the same age and left behind three little kids), and then people come up to me and say it was God's will. Really? Was it? Or the fact that I have a life-threatening illness and my youngest child is only 12. I only want to see him grow up. I don't see God healing me, but on the other hand, I've lived almost 16 years past what my brother was allowed, so I try to remember that and be positive about my situation. I don't understand what happens and why it happens. I only know that time does not make it hurt less.

I've been thinking about the existence of God and whether there is a plan for each of us ever since my friend's sweet little three-year-old boy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Why do some people have to suffer so much more than others? Why do some people seemingly live a charmed life with very few problems and others must endure trial after trial? Is there a form of life after death? What is the purpose of this life? I would love to hear more of other people's thoughts regarding this topic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Old book written by a rabbi, can’t remember his name: “when bad things happen to good people”.

Perhaps that is helpful for dealing with an initial diagnosis. But my tween DC is not a "bad thing."

Your tween DC is a person to whom a bad thing has happened

NO. She is a person with a medical condition.

I have an obvious physical disability but am comfortable and happy with my life. I have a rewarding career, own my home, travel regularly, and was recently married. I have had Christians pray to ”fix” me many times throughout my life. As I grew up, I learned to politely express that I do not want this, but they inevitably do it anyway. It is deeply awkward and offensive. I find it extremely arrogant of these people to assume they know what will make my life better without knowing me at all and to believe they somehow have the power of miracles. Please, for those who are Christian, keep these types of comments and prayers to yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Old book written by a rabbi, can’t remember his name: “when bad things happen to good people”.

Perhaps that is helpful for dealing with an initial diagnosis. But my tween DC is not a "bad thing."

Your tween DC is a person to whom a bad thing has happened

Anonymous wrote:Old book written by a rabbi, can’t remember his name: “when bad things happen to good people”.

Perhaps that is helpful for dealing with an initial diagnosis. But my tween DC is not a "bad thing."

Old book written by a rabbi, can’t remember his name: “when bad things happen to good people”.

Anonymous wrote:Who could possibly know God’s plan? Why must a disability be something that needs to be shed for that life to be worthwhile? Growing through life’s ups and downs is what we all have to do. Whether that life is easy or hard or even short or long is not guaranteed for any of us. Does a hard life make one bitter or reflective? Does an easy life make one generous or selfish?

Interesting - this post is full of questions. The only thing that it not questioned is whether or not God has a plan for us.