Something that got me to thinking.
By devilsangel
@devilsangel (1817)
United States
June 24, 2007 6:42am CST
Ok so as many of my friends know I am not what folks would call a religious person. I believe that there is something greater than myself, I believe that there are forces in this world that we can't always explain but do at times intertwine with our lives. I am far more of a spirtual person than anything. Well Friday was movie night so we decied to go see Evan all mighty (great movie by the way) There was a part in that movie that got me to thinking though. Morgan Freeman made a statment that made me say wow. It was about when people pray and ask for things. He said when a man prays and ask for courage god doesn't just go poof and all of a sudden he's got courage. He said don't you think instead he will put that person in a situation for them to be couragous in. Or when someone prays for their family to be closer there is no poof then everyone is feeling sunshine and happiness. Istead don't you think that maybe you'd be put in a situation that will bring you closer as a family.
The reason why this stuck out to me is because I hear all the time oh well god will fix this or god will fix that. Honestly I have the same thinking as Morgan Freeman did. God won't fix it for you, when the situation presents itself you have to fix it for yourself. Now I know that statement will probably piss off some people but oh well. No matter what god or gods you serve, know this, they can't do or live your life for you. All they can do is give you the tools to live it yourself. Kind of like a parent in a way, they have no control over what happens to you or why it happens, all they can do is send you out and hope you don't kill yourself or someone else.
Any thoughts?
6 people like this
9 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I am looking forward to seeing that movie. You thoughts got me thinking and i am also s spiritual person in my beliefs, I do not like organized religion at all they all seem to come down to the bottom line being money and the worshipers are 80% hypocrites. You say "man prays and ask for courage God doesn't just go poof and all of a sudden he's got courage. He said don't you think instead He will put that person in a situation for them to be courageous in" OK you are in a situation where you need courage and you are a person who has never had courage but now you have and being in a situation where you need it and now able to deal with it proves to me that God has given it to you. The second part has too many reasons why you are not closer. Is it miles? Is is a chance to get close because you have become estranged? I think all of these can be answered with prayer.
In my own personal experience I have always had my prayers answered now perhaps not in the way or a quickly as I expected but answered nevertheless. Example: Doctors gave me 3 hours to live after an accident, many prayers were asked on my behalf...I lived, doctor's prognosis I would never walk again as my back was broken in 3 places...I did some heavy duty praying and you are correct God did not go poof and I could walk again but he gave me the strength and courage to prove everyone wrong and in 4 months after some heavy rehab I was home walking, driving and taking care of myself. I was consider to me a miracle!! However I dont believe in instant miracles but I do believe your prayers are answered in different ways.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Your nanna was, as far as I am concerned, absolutely right.
2 people like this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I never said that things weren't answred, I just simply stated that I think a lot of it has to do with us taking action on our part to make things happen and not expecting it to happen on its own. My nanna use to tell me "god helps those that help themselves." I also don't believe in orginized religion, cause I to think they are the most hypocritical of all. I do believe to a point what my nanna said though. I see it this way its one thing to pray about or for something and then take actions to try and work toward whatever it is you've prayed about. Its a whole other thing to expect it to just happen because you prayed for it. Its like the whole story about the guy who was drowning in a lake, a man on the shore threw him a rope but the man refused the rope saying no, god will save me. Another man came along and threw him a life jacket, again the man refused saying no god will save me. Even still a third man came along and offered to throw the man a raft, he again refused saying no god will save me. The man of course drowned and when he stood before god he was mad. He said I believed in you all my life so why is it you let me drown. God looked at the man and said I threw you a rope,a life jacket and a raft.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
24 Jun 07
"God won't fix it for you, when the situation presents itself you have to fix it for yourself."
very true...and that is a big reason why I get so up in arms over ppl who say things like "well god was there for you/me/us/them" No..he/she was NOT...LIFE and MY BEING was there for me....Its a fight or flight situation IMO.....Ppl who have that "god did it/was there/fixed it" crap mentality REALLY tick me off since they arent taking the credit for THEIR DOING they are far too quick to pass the award off to where it doesnt bloody well belong as far as I'm concerned! No deity IMO does/did any of it...you end up in a situation where you HAVE TO either fight for it OR run for it (fight or flight)..most of us will FIGHT for it....SO WE FIX IT...cause we stood up and stepped up.....make sense
damn it LOL I keep saying I'm goin to leave and drink more coffee to get my brain in gear but NOOOOOOO here I am...still LOL..
2 people like this
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
25 Jun 07
I agree in a sense. The thing that tends to bother me is when people try at something, and fail, they say that it wasn't in God's plan or something of the like.
I disagree with the idea that God stops you from getting something because it isn't according to his plan.
You fail because you failed. It is up to you to do something about it. It means you have to work harder, try harder or chage something that needs to be changed within yourself before you can achieve what ever it was you failed at.
Like Angel's quote said; God presents the situation where you can get what you ask for and it is up to you to get it. Like whatever you failed at.... You must learn a lesson from the failure and go at it differently next time.
Not just give up and give in defeated because God didn't let you because it isn't in his plans. I mean, how do you know that? Maybe he wants you to have to really work and fight for it? Maybe it isn't any of God's doing at all....
No one will ever know and so it is best to always try.
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
25 Jun 07
"I disagree with the idea that God stops you from getting something because it isn't according to his plan.
You fail because you failed"
I understand what you are saying completely BUT I personally dont really believe there is such thing as "failing"....Even when one seemingly "fails" at something, they havent...but ppl choose to not look deeper at it/the situation etc.....
I guess an easier way to put it would be NOTHING IMO is bad.....there is always a benefit and a positive in everything that happens in our lives..ppl just have to learn to not look at only the surface
2 people like this
@dustyland87 (148)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I think that prayer has in itself is a way of making things happen. You have already figured out that something is wrong or needs fixing. That is taking the first step. Even though you start the process God is the reason you're able to get it done. Like they say if he brings you to it he'll get you through it. It is nice to know that your faith isn't completely gone from the possibilities of miricles and such.
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
25 Jun 07
I am so mad I can't believe you said that!!!!
LOL, just kidding. Actually you hit it on the nail for me, when you said,
"No matter what god or gods you serve, know this, they can't do or live your life for you. All they can do is give you the tools to live it yourself."
That is how I have always felt. What would be the since in life, if all we had to do was say a prayer and poof, it's done? What would be gain by that? We couldn't learn a darn thing could we? We couldn't grow as a person at all nor would we appreciate it. I have always felt God presents the situation and it's up to us to do something with it. It’s how I live my life and it’s what I teach my children.
Plus rating from me, you did good!
2 people like this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
25 Jun 07
Well thank you, sometimes my thoughts run deep, and sometimes I spend to much time in the bathroom and my mind starts to wonder LOL.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
24 Jun 07
I do have very specific religious beliefs, but I have always thought that what my Gods did for me is guide me and give me strength for the challenges in my life, not take those challenges away! I have heard many people from many religions say that if I followed their deity all my problems would just "poof" and not only does that sound ridiculous to me, I wouldn't want that to happen because then I wouldn't have any opportunities to learn and grow!
2 people like this
@minijumbuk (514)
• Australia
25 Jun 07
I am personally a Christian, i do find myself always asking for things from God. You did help me realize that =D thank you
Also i would just like to say that i believe God exists, but i don't think i am repaired to serve him, i don't know how to explain this, but i know there must be a creator.
i think it is very true that you said "when the situation presents itself you have to fix it for yourself." i might go watch that movie =D
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
That really is an interesting concept and makes a lot of sence when you really think about it as God is supposed to be our father which means that like any parent the problem is not going to be fixed just like that but shown to you in some way that you can understand so you can fix it for yourself .
I have never thought of it this way but I do believe this makes a lot of sence when you give it some thought and shows that we can't expect things without putting forth some effort of some kind to prove that we really want what we are asking for .
1 person likes this
@boknoy (39)
• Philippines
25 Jun 07
you're absolutely right. we can't just say god will fix it fo us but we ourselves would do it. you can't get it without working it out. what you need is to believe and put it into action. u have to wor for it inorder for your wish to come true. there is no such thing as happy ending. and hey, do you belive on paranormal activities?
