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Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 9:37:07 AM
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546587931
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I have an addiction that I struggle with. I'd rather not talk in detail about it. However, I know that I would fundamentally be better off without it, despite the fact that my addiction appears to be good for me when it is aroused.
Let's cut to the chase:
I have a friend who is battling gastric cancer. I am starting to have these irrational thoughts that God is hurting my friend every time I succumb to my addiction. It's bad enough that this addiction ails me, I cannot bear to think that it could be hurting my friend too. I grew up knowing God as a loving God who would never do anything like this to me.
Now I am starting to wonder.... Would God put people in hostage situations? The very thought sounds absurd to me. However, I'm beginning to believe that nothing makes sense.
For those who are familiar with Lord Of The Rings , this addiction does to me what the ring did to Gollum.....it drove him mad. ....just a simile to lighten the situation a bit.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 9:47:34 AM
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mvic
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I don't know what addiction you are speaking of - and it is not important for me or others to know.
To answer your question: God does not play games with us.
Whatever you do or have is totally separate from your friend's illness. There is no connection whatsoever.
Except two:
God loves you both.
I am praying for both of you.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 10:00:29 AM
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agapetos
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quote:
Whatever you do or have is totally separate from your friend's illness. There is no connection whatsoever. I agree. You could blow the world up and God wouldn't punish your friend for what you did.
That's the way satan would like you to think God works, but it isn't.
_____________________________
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 10:35:22 AM
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DaveW
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I do not know the situation, but I am not as dogmatic that they are unrelated.
In an instance I know of, a sex offender repeatedly molested a young family member. She grows up and gets married. She has forgiven him and tried to move on with her life. However, she finds she is almost incapacitated in the intimacy dept. by what happened to her back in grade school. In this case both her and her husband suffer for the offender's sin.
But if there is no direct connection as the above situation has, then I would say they are not related. Does your addiction involve spreading carcinogens?
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 11:15:42 AM
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deermousie
Posts: 1904
Joined: 9/26/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 546587931
I have a friend who is battling gastric cancer. I am starting to have these irrational thoughts that God is hurting my friend every time I succumb to my addiction.
Others have said it well, but I'll add my voice to theirs: God doesn't play games with us. Satan would like you to think He does, so he can mess with your mind and hurt you. He's a liar and a murderer from the beginning, so resist him and he'll have to flee. Tell him to bug off in Jesus' name - then he has to.
quote:
Would God put people in hostage situations? The very thought sounds absurd to me. However, I'm beginning to believe that nothing makes sense.
God allows all kinds of things to happen - the Apostle Paul was beheaded in Rome, Peter was probably crucified, John exiled after a failed murder attempt. God allowed it. We don't know the immediate "why" but we do know the long-range "why" - the people's faith and God's salvation brings God glory so the whole universe knows it. Eph. 2:7 says so. Look at Hebrews 11 - same thing.
God tells us some things but not everything. Our job is to be steeped in the Bible so we know the things He does tell us. The things we don't understand is where we say, "I know God is all powerful, that He loves me and He has promised to work all things out for good, so if life doesn't make sense, I know it does to Him and I can trust Him for that. When I get to see the whole purpose in heaven, I'll jump up and down and declare that God is good and is a genius."
I am praying for you today, 546587931. Take heart and know you are loved, even when things are crazy. It won't always be crazy, but you always are loved. God bless you.
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 11:30:35 AM
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deermousie
Posts: 1904
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 546587931
For those who are familiar with Lord Of The Rings , this addiction does to me what the ring did to Gollum.....it drove him mad. ....just a simile to lighten the situation a bit.
Lord God, I lift 546587931 to You - You know who he or she is, and You love them. Thank You for drawing 546587931 to You in love; I pray you'll show them that You do love them, and I ask that you deliver them from this addiction. Thank You that You are all-powerful and good, and that You get our attention and heal us in Your perfect time. Please comfort 546587931, give them confidence in You and Your love, and deliver them as a free and loved person who is Your beloved child. I ask this in Jesus' name, and will be careful to give You all the glory when I hear of it. Amen
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 12:06:13 PM
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546587931
Posts: 18
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quote:
Does your addiction involve spreading carcinogens?
No, it does not involve the spreading of carcinogens. In fact, it has nothing to do with drugs or alcohol.
Basically, if anyone is being directly harmed by my addiction, it is mostly myself and no one else.
However, I want to thank you all for your support and prayer.
May God bless you all.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 12:18:04 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1904
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 546587931
However, I want to thank you all for your support and prayer.
May God bless you all.
May He bless you as well, our dear family member! You are having a hard time, and we hurt for you. May God comfort you, raise you up and give you His peace!
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/28/2008 10:40:07 PM
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546587931
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Of course....this could mean....that the enemy is simultaneously harming my friend, every time I succumb to my addiction!
I cannot give up this addiction by coercion. I tried that for a period, with limited success.
Right now it seems harmless and acceptable. I truly know that my quality of life would be greater without this burden.
I already acknowledge that is a problem. A personal one. It's bad enough already, the last thing I need is someone suffering at my hands.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 8:54:20 AM
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jn1010lf
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Hello 546587931
Are you not aware that Satan is alive and well on planet earth? And do you suppose he glories in defeating those that are made in the image of God? Get a life, dude. Satan puts that addiction on you. He is the one you should blame. He is the one you should start putting down using the name of Jesus Christ.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 12:30:36 PM
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Forever_flying
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I've gone through the same thing recently. I was addicted to something that really wasn't going to hurt anyone, or myself, but it took away so much of me that two of my friends tried to get me to stop.
Once I realized what it was doing to my spiritual life, I tried to stop but I couldn't.
I just had to let it go. An action that took only seconds, but was very nessassary. Just let it go, let GOD deal with it, and don't pick it back up.
The enemy is not going to mess with your friend for your mistakes, but they will play with your head. Just don't worry, and let go.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 12:57:11 PM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3144
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quote:
I have an addiction that I struggle with. I'd rather not talk in detail about it. However, I know that I would fundamentally be better off without it, despite the fact that my addiction appears to be good for me when it is aroused.
Let's cut to the chase:
Yes, let's do cut do the chase. Your friend has nothing to do with your addiction, nor does your addiction make her illness worse (unless, of course she is very close to you and it causes her undue stress, worry and anxiety.)
This is about you and your unwillingness to put aside something that separates you from God...period! Until you get honest about that, and until you are willong to put God above your desires, nothing will ever change for you.
Oh, and btw, every lie that Satan feeds us makes us believe that "it appears to be good for us when aroused." That is why he is so successfull in cases like yours.
If you truly want to change, get honest and get help. Pastoral counseling and Christian based recovery programs are available to you. Once you step out and ask God to become number one in your life, He will meet you there and can make you whole and well. Just think, then you won't have to worry about stuff like this! Wouldn't that be great?
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 3:42:37 PM
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AboundinginHisGrace
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I do not think God would punish someone else for your sins, however, I do think sin you commit can affect your offspring (sins of the father), but your obedience to God can also affect your offspring.
_____________________________
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 4:26:12 PM
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colliefan
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Your addiction issues and your friend's illness have no inter-connection. The only relation is the friendship you share. You cannot heal her and she cannot cure your addictions.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 4:45:05 PM
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slushie
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I agree. There's no connection at all whatsoever. I don't believe God puts us in those positions. It's like blackmail.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 7:59:30 PM
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agapetos
Posts: 5400
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quote:
Of course....this could mean....that the enemy is simultaneously harming my friend, every time I succumb to my addiction! Do not give satan this much power.
You're friend has cancer. You have an addiction. There is nothing that you can do in terms of your addiction that will affect your friend's cancer.
Your friend is fighting cancer and that it what you must do with your addiction. Stop looking for reasons why something happens. Sometimes it just does. Your addiction may always be there, but it may not always have control over you.
_____________________________
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
My blog
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 8:55:36 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
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I agree with all of the wise council you have gotten here. Your addiction is not affecting your friends sickness. When you slip, God does not punish your friend. It may seem that way if times coincide, but God does not do things like that, nor does He put us in hostage( I think you meant hostile) situations.
Our enemy would like for us to believe these things, but they are just lies.
You need to work on your addiction, and help your friend through his sickness. Place them both in the capable hands of God. Take care.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 7/29/2008 9:19:02 PM
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Mosesman
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jn1010lf
Hello 546587931
Are you not aware that Satan is alive and well on planet earth? And do you suppose he glories in defeating those that are made in the image of God? Get a life, dude. Satan puts that addiction on you. He is the one you should blame. He is the one you should start putting down using the name of Jesus Christ.
Yes, Satan tell lies. But it is our fault when we listen to them. Take Adam and Eve for example, God told them not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But when Satan told Eve to eat the fruit, Eve ate it, not Satan. If we can blame Satan for everything we do, why do we need forgiveness?
< Message edited by Mosesman -- 7/30/2008 4:36:18 PM >
_____________________________
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13~
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/3/2008 2:27:38 AM
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Leadership
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Hello 546587931, when you read this ask yourself why this addiction is Master over you?.......Because your fleshman is stronger than your Spiritman. When you are born agan the Holy Spirit then comes to live inside of you, but you must learn how to strengthen the Holy Spirit or give rights to Him, until you do addictions will rule your life.
In the book of Romans 8:11 States: But the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead DWELL in YOU, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN (power to over come) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Do you want this power to over come this addiction? Then Read on, the basic steps are out lined for you.
1. repent (if you have done this great now go to step 2)
2. begin to strengthen your spiritman: read your Bible everyday! start in the book of Matthew one chapter each day, read it slowly and then think about what you just been reading. Pray the Word, God's Word is irrefutable, imperishable, everlasting, undefeatable, indestructible, indefatigable, eternal. Therefore praying the Word is most powerful prayer to pray. (example find scripture that speakes of over comming or whatever it is you need; WRITE THEM DOWN AND PRAY THEM)
Isaiah 10:27 1 John 2:14 Ephesians 6:10 Deuteronomy 7:23
This is an example of how you pray the scripture for 2 Corinthians 5:21
Lord I come to you in the name of Jesus I thank you that I am the righteousnees of God in Christ. Jesus became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Him thank you Lord that you did this for me. Them after you have prayed in this manner for sometime, then take time to worship God. 
TAKE TIME AND DUE THIS EVERYDAY UNTIL YOU HAVE YOUR ADDICTION DESTROIED, DO NOT STOP EVEN IF YOU DO NOT SEE A DIFFERANCE AT FIRST, GOD WORKS FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
If you have any questions let me know:
Leadership
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/3/2008 8:01:48 AM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 18135
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 546587931
I have an addiction that I struggle with. I'd rather not talk in detail about it. However, I know that I would fundamentally be better off without it, despite the fact that my addiction appears to be good for me when it is aroused.
Let's cut to the chase:
I have a friend who is battling gastric cancer. I am starting to have these irrational thoughts that God is hurting my friend every time I succumb to my addiction. It's bad enough that this addiction ails me, I cannot bear to think that it could be hurting my friend too. I grew up knowing God as a loving God who would never do anything like this to me.
Now I am starting to wonder.... Would God put people in hostage situations? The very thought sounds absurd to me. However, I'm beginning to believe that nothing makes sense.
For those who are familiar with Lord Of The Rings , this addiction does to me what the ring did to Gollum.....it drove him mad. ....just a simile to lighten the situation a bit.
Personally I do not think that there is a correlation per say, but I do not know. If/when you fall into sin, I would immediately repent and ask the good Lord to forgive you. Then pray for your friend not to be delivered from the pain also. That should help!
_____________________________
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/3/2008 8:31:57 AM
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Little_1
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Regarding part of the OP: What you are really asking is "How can a loving God let bad things happen to good people?"
I struggled with this question also until I studied the book of Job and the life of Job. Job was a righteous man and he lived a holy life before God and man. However, the worst possible things happened to Job including losing all his children in one day, losing his home and great wealth, his health suffered greatly and his wife asked him to curse God and die. Job most definately had horrendous moments but regardless of this, he remained faithful to God throughout.
How can a human being remain faithful to God in such difficult and trying circumstances? Job had tasted of God's promises and so he clung to his faith that he would once again see the goodness of God in the land of the living despite everything that had happened to him. I'm sure he must have had his fearful moments like you and I but he focused on God and not his situation and God blessed him in the end.
Job was hopeful and he patiently waited upon God. The Word of God tells us that all those who wait and hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. Either God is God or He is not! Job chose to trust God and God blessed him again as a result. Job was given the great privilege of proving God in his life. All Christians who have difficulties and trials have been given this great privilege also but we sometimes see our difficulties as mighty problems rather than mighty privileges to suffer for Christ's sake.
God does not will for bad things to happen to us. The devil had to ask God if he could afflict Job and God had first to agree. When God agrees to trials and sufferings in his children's lives, He does so only if good can be achieved out of such and never just for the sheer sake of it. How we view our situations will make all the difference to the outcome of our situations and if we allow God to bless us as a result.
Regarding the 2nd part of your OP - you cannot allow what God has allowed in someone else's life (in His wisdom) as an excuse to sin in your own life because you don't understand why God has allowed suffering to come upon another such as your friend. What God wants to achieve in your friend's life is between them and God. Please don't allow yourself to be deceived otherwise.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 8/3/2008 8:39:51 AM >
_____________________________
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/13/2008 11:48:54 AM
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546587931
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He passed away peacefully August 11, 2008. My zeal to resist for his sake is now in vain.
The only thing I can do now is carry on and try to resist for my sake...what a battle that will be.
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/13/2008 11:56:58 AM
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546587931
Posts: 18
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Despite what you've told me I just cannot shake the feeling that he died as a result of my sins....I cannot imagine that it would be true....is it?
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RE: Does God put people in hostage situations? - 8/13/2008 5:16:06 PM
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agapetos
Posts: 5400
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: This side of the lil duck pond!
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quote:
I cannot imagine that it would be true....is it? If you are believing that it's true, you're listening to a lie.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
Yes, you have a battle on your hands, but you aren't alone. There are many who have their own private (and sometimes public) battles.
_____________________________
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
My blog
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