Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (Full Version)

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truthrevealed -> Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 12:52:11 PM)

This thread is sure to ruffle some feathers if people don't understand where I'm coming from.

I personally enjoy offering whatever counsel I can to anyone, in whatever aspect of my life(here in the forums, at church, family etc.)and I try to stick to areas where I have experience and "knowledge"(via God's word). So, counsel, especially within the christian community is *******INVALUABLE****. I even had a category in my crosswalk awards thread about who offers the best advice(shame-less plug[;)]).

But, I am GREATLY disturbed after reading various threads over a length of time, that people are so quick to suggest counseling to deal with marriage woes for instance. It is truly the PAT answer for that issue. And for issues with parenting, I've read, "test the child for this and that," try this and that, "have you considered this and that." Does anyone consider GOD? Why search the internet for a christian counselor, and search the couch for pennies to pay for someone to tell you what the Spirit of God is there WILLING AND ABLE to lead you to do?(And yes, I'm referring to christians here).******I'm not suggesting that counsel is wrong RE-READ first paragraph. Search the internet and the couch, as you wish[;)]but God is waiting to be sought as well*****
Dare we say it's because many people don't know how to hear from God?(I get that). Could it be that many take that advice(SEEK GOD) as a PAT christian answer and think we're being too "religious"[8|](Lord Forbid!) We are called by His name!! Or is it simply, prayer and seeking God is the last resort once we've banged our sweet little heads against the walls and have found out AGAIN that apart from Him we can do NOTHING!!!!(my poor little head is still bleeding[;)][8|]. But I MUST confess, my BEST advice/counsel/direction has been given me by God Himself, speaking to me in my inner man and in accordance with His written word .

Thoughts?

Edited in an attempt to prevent so many flying feathers....[;)][&:][8|][:D]



David3078 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 12:59:52 PM)

We all need to look to GOD for advice in our daily problems. We need to look to him and trust him to help us out of a jam, or to help us help others when need be, etc....

I guess a reason that more people might not seek GOD is because they want to be able to look the person in the eye who's giving the advice.. We know GOD is always around, but we can't physically see HIM and that I think is probably one reason people don't ask for GOD's counsel.



dianetavegia -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 12:59:59 PM)

I agree with you. I'll go so far as to say the BIBLE has all the answers we need. Period.

I've seen people ask for advice, be given dozens of scripture from dozens of posters yet those people will ask for more answers because they don't like what the Bible says about their pet sin or problem.



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:03:19 PM)

diane, OUCH!!! What a great point!



Little_1 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:06:37 PM)

Yes - you definitely have a good point. All Christians should seek God concerning our problems first and foremost through prayer and the Word of God.

In saying this, I can testify that after having prayed about a situation and asked God what to do, I have perhaps come on site later and God has used someone on site here to help me with the answer (sometimes through just looking at others threads or posts in response to another's threads). Therefore, I do believe God uses Christians sites such as Crosswalk (and no doubt others too) to help His children.


"When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but with a number of wise guides they will be safe. " (Proverbs 11:14). By this, I do believe God can use other Christians who are wise and give good counsel to help His children. I find such counselors onsite here and thank God for them.



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:13:46 PM)

Little-1, yes, I agree that God will "get an answer to us" through whatever means/person He chooses. That's after having asked Him, first!

Also, could it be that many people who are quick to provide advice that does NOT include God, do so because THEY THEMSELVES don't go to God first?



Little_1 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:15:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: truthrevealed

Little-1, yes, I agree that God will "get an answer to us" through whatever means/person He chooses. That's after having asked Him, first!

Also, could it be that many people who are quick to provide advice that does NOT include God, do so because THEY THEMSELVES don't go to God first?


Yes - I would tend to think likewise. [;)]


quote:

ORIGINAL: dianetavegia

I agree with you. I'll go so far as to say the BIBLE has all the answers we need. Period.

I've seen people ask for advice, be given dozens of scripture from dozens of posters yet those people will ask for more answers because they don't like what the Bible says about their pet sin or problem.


I also believe Diane has a really good point. When advise is offered to someone and they ask the same things over and over again - you just know they don't really want to listen to what God's Word actually says because if they did, they would apply God's Word and then they would be greatly helped.



agapetos -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:20:09 PM)

I often have suggested counselling. Yes, the Bible is the one book with all the answers we need, but sometimes it's hard to understand ~ and let's face it ~ different Christians will interpret things in different ways. And yes, I speak from experience.

Earlier this year, I finished a year of therapy (20 sessions). What did it do for me? It helped me to understand my past in a way I hadn't been able to, no matter how I tried. In understanding my past, I've been able to free my mind up and deepen my relationship with God ~ and be able to forgive people who've hurt me at a far greater level than I had before. Just recently, I've been struggling (mentally, not spiritually and with whole different issues) and for the first time in my live, I haven' had to deal with bringing my past into my present struggle.

The therapy was secular. As far as I'm concerned, it didn't matter whether it was Christian or secular. It was God who provided the people who were involved in my health care to deal with my issues and it brought me closer to God.

I had prayed and prayed and been prayed for and some of those prayers were that God heal me from my past. Now, who's to say that that therapy I had wasn't God answering my prayers in a way that I could understand and deal with?

quote:

I hope, makes it ABUNDANTLY clear that I believe that we need to seek God's counsel FIRST
I have to confess that I rarely say this ~ but that's because I'm the kind of person who presumes that a Christian would do this first off anyhow.



Focusing -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:22:00 PM)

quote:

Why search the internet for a christian counselor, and search the couch for pennies to pay for someone to tell you what the Spirit of God is there WILLING AND ABLE to lead you to do?

Dare we say it's because many people don't know how to hear from God?

Or is it simply, prayer and seeking God is the last resort


quote:

the BIBLE has all the answers we need


I agree that the Bible does have all the answers we need ... yet, it is important to remember that there are those who are young in their faith, or who have not been faced with certain issues in the past, who need a little guidance in searching out the answers.

We need to remember that not everyone who is saved is automatically an expert at searching the Bible for the answers that are there and how to apply them to our lives and our situation. I for one get frustrated when I hear comments such as "you are just immature in your faith". It does nothing to help me or guide me.

Please, take a moment and consider that if you are blessed by knowing it all (or giving the impression that you do) that perhaps you could take the time to help others rather than point a finger that could easily discourage another in their own walk. Do not be a stumbling block for another.

THAT is why people turn to Christian counselors and pastors - for guidance and compassion. I'm sorry for you if you cannot understand that.



tracydolls -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:24:25 PM)

I believe that the Bible holds it all.

Some questions don't ever need to be asked.

They are clear.

Do not...

I try to always look up what the Lord says first. Man will deceive you.



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:35:51 PM)

agepetos, I'm glad for you that you recieved the help you needed thru counseling. I myself, while in college, had a counselor that I wished was my mother[:D](and I don't know if she was christian or not). I personally wouldn't presume that christians would automatically seek God first, not from what I've seen in my experience and not because I haven't always done so(I spoke about my own bleeding head[8|]).

Focusing, your point about "babes" in Christ is exactly the reason why I enjoy offering whatever counsel I can. We're here to strengthen, encourage, and build each other up as christians.

My point is more about motive, than method. I know that God will use people to help people. Is our heart's motive to lean on God and let God choose the person whom He wants to use? is more MY question.......



mvic -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:43:57 PM)

I think I understand what you are asking Truthrevealed. if I don't, no doubt I'll be corrected.

I think the reason people immediately resort to advising counselling, (go see a counsellor, doctor, etc) instead of asking God first is because:

A - They feel it is a safer option for them, that doesn't commit them to any come back should the advice be somewhat wrong;

B - Deep in their heart they doubt that God will really help. (Have I touched a raw nerve somewhere?)

C - They don't believe that the advice "Ask God" will be taken seriously by those seeking advice.

So, for one of these reasons, the person offering advice would rather say: "Do this and that bla bla bla", rather than come out straight and say: "Let's pray about this and see what God says".

Many claim to believe - but deep inside how true are our beliefs? Do we falter and fall at the slightest challenge?



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:55:19 PM)

A bit of my own testimony. I gave birth to my oldest son while in college...the time when I was a wreck[&:]because I left for college with a host of unresolved emotional and mental wounds from childhood. Fast forward to settling down, getting married and trying to raise my child with the information from my own childhood.......uh, not pretty. It was after college that I REALLY began my walk with God but I was so............a wreck, that I really thought I was rasing a "demon" child. He was so stubborn I was dumbfounded. I tried EVVVVVERRRRYYTHINGGG, I could to bring some kind of sanity in our relationship and in HIS[8|]behavior.....no luck. I would pray for guidance and execute my plan before I was "off my knees." It took so long, and a big fat bloody head, but what I've learned about parenting(more, myself) is priceless because I was FORCED to lean on God because my stinkin pride was makin' things worse. So.......much.......worse

So, I do not judge anyone or put anyone down who may not SEEK GOD FIRST, I simply know......not doing so won't work for long!



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 1:58:05 PM)

Mvic, I'm really liking point B. Good post!



LifeisGalatians220 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 10:15:02 PM)

As a baby Christian I wanted to know what God was saying to me, but I didn't know how to go about it. I was blessed to be discipled by a woman in her 60's who, every time I had a question, would open the bible and take me to whole passages that spoke to my need. As I began to learn how to let scripture interpret scripture, I began to wonder why more Christians didn't want to study their bible themselves. Most were content to have a pastor tell them what to believe, week after week, or they jumped on the latest "Christian Book of the Month" selection, long after they should have been learning to feed on God's word themselves. When I was studying through Exodus, God gave me insight through this passage.

Exodus 20:18-21
Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightening flashes, the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
Then they said to Moses. "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
And Moses said to the people "Do not fear; for God has come to test you and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."

God was showing me that the majority of His people are afraid that what He has to say is too much for them to hear. They want others spend time with Him and then tell them what He said. Sadly, they end up missing the blessing and the joy that comes from hearing straight from the LORD themselves. It's always going to be easier to shrug off something that you heard from man than something that you heard from God. But it also leaves you more vulnerable to sin.

Blessings,
Melanie



sunshine4God -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 10:41:17 PM)

[I guess a reason that more people might not seek GOD is because they want to be able to look the person in the eye who's giving the advice.. We know GOD is always around, but we can't physically see HIM and that I think is probably one reason people don't ask for GOD's counsel.
[/quote]

Thats why I ask people for advice.I like to hear their answers and look them in the eye.I know Gods available also but its nice to talk to friends also nya know.I do turn to God for advice also though.



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 10:45:52 PM)

Lets face it, living the Christian life isn't easy! And most Christians don't want to fight, they want to be spoon fed!



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 10:47:00 PM)

Oh and once they have the answers, most times they don't want to be responsible for applying them.



OneJohn410 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/29/2008 10:57:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: truthrevealed

This thread is sure to ruffle some feathers if people don't understand where I'm coming from.

I personally enjoy offering whatever counsel I can to anyone, in whatever aspect of my life(here in the forums, at church, family etc.)and I try to stick to areas where I have experience and "knowledge"(via God's word). So, counsel, especially within the christian community is *******INVALUABLE****. I even had a category in my crosswalk awards thread about who offers the best advice(shame-less plug[;)]).

But, I am GREATLY disturbed after reading various threads over a length of time, that people are so quick to suggest counseling to deal with marriage woes for instance. It is truly the PAT answer for that issue. And for issues with parenting, I've read, "test the child for this and that," try this and that, "have you considered this and that." Does anyone consider GOD? Yes, I myself have advised "this and that" but the fact that I've started this thread, I hope, makes it ABUNDANTLY clear that I believe that we need to seek God's counsel FIRST. Why search the internet for a christian counselor, and search the couch for pennies to pay for someone to tell you what the Spirit of God is there WILLING AND ABLE to lead you to do?(And yes, I'm referring to christians here).

Dare we say it's because many people don't know how to hear from God?(I get that). Could it be that many take that advice(SEEK GOD) as a PAT christian answer and think we're being too "religious"[8|](Lord Forbid!) We are called by His name!! Or is it simply, prayer and seeking God is the last resort once we've banged our sweet little heads against the walls and have found out AGAIN that apart from Him we can do NOTHING!!!!(my poor little head is still bleeding[;)][8|]. But I MUST confess, my BEST advice/counsel/direction has been given me by God Himself, speaking to me in my inner man and in accordance with His written word .

Thoughts?


Truthrevealed,
I consider God, both in my own problems, and in replying to others about theirs.

It IS fun to search the couch for loose change, btw. Also, under the recliner. I favor under the recliner almost 5 to 1 when looking for change, but that's only after looking under the dresser.

I would rather assume that someone asking for help and prayers in a forum setting has already prayed about things and is seeking an answer about them, than to tell them the first thing they need to do is get on their knees and pray about it. You spoke about surfing the net to find help. I would like to think that someone reading things on a thread here might be seeking Godly counsel, and may even have forgotten about this community and been reminded somehow to visit. I would also think that whatever advice is received from this community is prayed over as well, before being immediately slapped on the problem.

As for offering people advice on this forum, I often pray about what I might share with someone before I 'quickly respond' with words to do something that could be considered the first thing to do and sound secular to whoever reads it. It could well be that going to see counselor Smith about a marriage would reveal in conversation that Mr. Smith is indeed a Christian and just doesn't advertise it. How about that? If the solution to resolving the marriage problem in God's perfect timing is for this grumpy couple to see a counselor, and they've heard Mr. Smith is a good one but aren't sure, and Mrs. Wife keeps hearing you need to pray and seek God's wisdom, and then she hears someone say what a blessing a counselor was to their marriage- well, she's prayed her little heart out, and waited, and... who are any of us to try to structure our every advice exactly so?

I'm not outraged at your post, or offended. I'd like to know what you mean about being quick to reply with help... is there some chart on that for online posting? From jack rabbit to tortoise? It's been a while since I've seen someone so fired up and YELLING about something that it was startling, but I've not been in a thread about critiquing help styles before.

Thanks for your thoughts,
OneJohn410



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 11:59:42 AM)

Onejohn410, (have you checked out the crosswalk awards thread? I do believe you were nominated for an award[:D]).

Now, you mentioned that you're not outraged or offended at what I'd written......WHEW! as I see no reason for anyone to be offended, mostly it is the truth that offends. I thought that "feathers might be ruffled" if people misunderstood(which is why in 3 posts I, in some fashion, mentioned that christian counsel is invaluable and that I myself have been MOST guilty of not getting on my knees.....FIRST!)

What I mean about people who are quick to suggest counseling for issues versus advising that a person seek God first.....is just that! God may very well lead a person to seek professional counsel......so be it. My point, again, is more of motive than method. Is our hearts motive to rely on God to do the leading, thru whomever He chooses to work thru. I make very little assumptions about what people do before they post on a forum, talk to a friend, a pastor etc. This thread asks a question that I believe is legitimate because so many christians have "been there."(Meaning not seeking God first[:)]).



RubySparkles -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 2:07:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

Yes - you definitely have a good point. All Christians should seek God concerning our problems first and foremost through prayer and the Word of God.

In saying this, I can testify that after having prayed about a situation and asked God what to do, I have perhaps come on site later and God has used someone on site here to help me with the answer (sometimes through just looking at others threads or posts in response to another's threads). Therefore, I do believe God uses Christians sites such as Crosswalk (and no doubt others too) to help His children.


"When there is no helping suggestion the people will have a fall, but with a number of wise guides they will be safe. " (Proverbs 11:14). By this, I do believe God can use other Christians who are wise and give good counsel to help His children. I find such counselors onsite here and thank God for them.


I've received A LOT of help from this site. It may not be that an individual is not seeking God but they may need help hearing the answer amongst all the other noise.



Liveloved -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 2:09:12 PM)

Another great question.

And I think the simple answer is because people really don't know God. We can have Bible answers to questions. But that is not knowing God. We can have good moral teaching and live it out. But that is not knowing God. We can truly strive to live a Christian life but that is not knowing God.

Knowing God is about a relationship with the Master of the Universe. It is available to everyone. But it requires a commitment on our part. It requires time spent with Him, in His presence, listening and willingness to learn. Be still and know that I am God isn't just a great verse from scripture. It is the key to knowing Him.

But we are a people who want easy answers, quick answers, right now, immediate results. So God lets us seek those answers until we realize that they are not the real deal. Then and only then, when we've exhausted all the other options and come back to Him, weary from all the wandering and wondering and we begin to be still and listen, we find that we had the answers all along. Because Jesus is The Answer to every need, every question and every longing of our heart.

It's the journey. Some arrive sooner. Some arrive later. But all who are His arrive eventually. That is the beauty and the miracle of new life.

He's just waiting for us to give up and be His, truly His.



galadriel2 -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 2:41:24 PM)

I think primarily people don't ask God for advice because they don't want it. They don't really want to know and do His will in the situation that they are in.

God bless,
Galadriel2



agapetos -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 6:41:09 PM)

quote:

B - Deep in their heart they doubt that God will really help. (Have I touched a raw nerve somewhere?)
In the first year of my Christian life, I went through some incredible blessing and some horrific experiences. Since then, I've never doubted that God has walked beside me and helped me through my life. In fact, I don't believe that I'd be around today if it weren't for God.

However, because advice Christians give is so often biased, it's hard for me (with my mental health problems) to know who is giving the right advice. When I told one person that my doctor wanted me to take meds, she told me to do exactly what the doctor did. I later told her that my doctor wanted me to stop working for a while ~ she told me I had to keep working! That's just one example, there are lots more, but you get my drift.

From speaking with Christians in general about my doctors, I felt that God had put them (the doctors) in my life to help me and I should listen to their advice. Hasn't been easy. I don't want to take meds, nor do I want to have to expose my life to therapists. But I ain't going to be knocking God's help back ~ no matter how it comes.

My Christian walk isn't perfect. But it's better than it was, because of having therapy.

Suggesting someone seek counselling is just that. A suggestion. The person who it's offered to may take it, may not. I have no intention of not suggesting it when I feel it would help someone.



truthrevealed -> RE: Why aren't more people asking GOD for advice??????? (9/30/2008 8:03:45 PM)

Most here, seem to understand exactly where I'm coming from[:D]and the reasons given for why people don't seek God for advice seem to be right on, just depends on who you ask.

If you were to ask me why haven't I always sought God for advice I'd have to say the bottom line is my stinkin' pride. Despite myself, I've seen God grant wisdom and understanding in situations(my marriage for instance)that's priceless. Without seeking counsel from anyone, my husband and I have grown in understanding and therefore have grown closer simply from the Spirits' ministry.

There will obviously be those, who STILL take that to mean that this thread's purpose is to advise against counsel but I won't beat a dead horse. I think when any of us find something that works, we want to share it. I've received my best counsel from God Himself yet, I still find myself at times walking in that stinkin pride......go figure[8|].



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