General Faith And Ptsd

[Eleanor]

Hi Lilac, I don't like being "out of the loop" with God either. :mad: I spend a lot of mental energy on trying to scope out God's intentions too. Generally not to very good effect. I am trying to notice when I am doing this and substitute being grateful for all the good things in my life, and the lives of those around me. I'll let you know if it works - if I ever manage to notice when I'm doing it in time to switch.

 

[LilacFaerie]

I try to do the right thing-not because of religious reasons, but because it may the only part (my conscience) that is not damaged.

I believe the part of us that knows right from wrong comes from somewhere larger than our parents' teachings. God's law is written on our hearts - it doesn't surprise me that your conscience is not damaged - we may ignore it from time to time, but morality and ethics is still hardwired in there. And thank God, yes, else we would all be perfect beasts!

Since faith is trusting in the unknown

...and believing in those things that are unseen. I guess I have been a bit of a doubting Thomas. I know these scriptural passages, I can recite them by heart, have *taught* them even. But actually living them?? Whomever says Christianity is a crutch, is sadly mistaken. It's hard work!!!

I remember that not that many years ago I had a lot of faith....I felt grateful....This is something I do not know how to get back.

Gratefulness. Yes, it does suffer, does it not? You can get extremely bitter. Really hard to be grateful when all is falling down around you. That is why Job is such a hard study. It's difficult to understand how Job still praised God even when he had lost everything. And just now, in that small still voice, all I can hear God say is, "Go and do likewise."

Maybe all I have to do is get out of my own way and truly let God do His thing.

 

[LilacFaerie]

I spend a lot of mental energy on trying to scope out God's intentions ..... I am trying to notice when I am doing this ...... I'll let you know if it works - if I ever manage to notice when I'm doing it in time to switch.

Would be interesting to hear if you can succeed. I usually can't see clearly enough from inside the maelstrom to be able to see anything of any sense until I come out the other side.

 

[LilacFaerie]

I said "It's difficult to understand how Job still praised God even when he had lost everything"..............

I must finish that statement with this.......I must remember - in the end, God gave back to Job twice as much as he had before and he lived a long and happy life. God also chided Job's friends (remember them - saying things that were really of no comfort to Job?) by telling them they had basically misrepresented God (and His intentions) to Job.

I think I have some reading to do tonight.

 

[leweyoz]

I also like with Job that his hope fluctuated throughout. It wasn't like he had lost the plot and then got some revelation of God at the end. He's constantly up and down. I think that gives us great hope that we are normal when one day we are moaning and the next praising God.

When you are down and out I think the key is to continue to go back to what worked for you the last time. Generally for me as soon as I begin reading his word and praising him, it uplifts me and I think oh yeh this is what works for me, why didn't I do this all along.

I hear ya Lilac about your hubby at church, my husband is the same. He struggles at times with the music and we pretty much go and leave straight away,no socialising afterwards. Some weeks he doesn't go. He also struggles with the Word given at times. You know how soemthing can be directed at those that are just having a down moment to go and bless someone else etc to lift our spirits and such like. These are all true of course but for someone suffering depression hearing that is hard. I always have to say to my hubby, they mean someone having a down moment not someone suffering with depression etc as he can take it too personally.

Thanks for sharing guys, enjoying hearing everyones perspective.

 

[The Albatross]

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield." ~ Psalm 5:11-12

 

[The Albatross]

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~ Psalm 18:2

 

[leweyoz]

Thanks for that verse Albatross!

I have been reading in 1 Peter I think, about how we should always be ready to tell of the hope we have. Which led me to dwell on the fact that God is my rock, my firm foundation, when all else is shifting sand beneath my feet.

Our lives can be so like that shifting sand, the instability, constantly trying to find our footing. But God... He keeps us planted He keeps us stable, He helps us to stand firm to fight another day.

 

[topflite]

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

 

[jkr8789]

I'm glad I found this thread! It helps to read that others are feeling the same way that I am... my boyfriend has combat PTSD, and has recently been going through a very rough time. When it first happened I found myself asking a lot of questions... why did this happen to him? Why did this happen to us? Why did I have to fall in love with someone like him? Why me/why him? I was angry at the whole situation. I was searching for answers, and coming up empty handed. I've always put a lot of trust in God, but this whole situation has really been very challenging to me. I've never had anything really terrible happen to me or a loved one before... so I'd never had reason to question or become resentful. This changed everything. I've had some time to reflect, and while I don't claim to really understand it all, I do think I've come to a few conclusions that have given me some sort of peace.

First of all, I've accepted the fact that God has a reason for everything and everyone in my life. I cannot expect to know that reason right away... but it is always revealed to me later. I do not know what God has in store for me, but I do know that he has never let me down. He has never given me more than I could handle. There is a reason that C is in my life right now, and there is a reason that I came into his life at his darkest moment. I'm not entirely sure of the reason; I have realized that I just need to have faith and let go of trying to understand everything. C has had many, many close calls... he's only 24, but he's come close to death many times over. I have to believe that there is a reason God has kept him on this earth. I have to believe that God has a plan for his life, just like he has a plan for mine. Maybe our plans in the future will include each other, and maybe they won't. But I believe that this whole experience has a real purpose for both of us... what that purpose is, I can only guess right now. Just like everything else that has happened in my life thus far, what's meant to be, will be.

I am a very type A person... I try to understand and plan and be in control of everything in my life. This is one thing I cannot control. I'm beginning to realize that I just have to let go... and have faith that God knows what He's doing. Sure, sometimes I still get angry. Everyone does. Those rare moments when I recognize the real C, the person he was before PTSD, I see as a blessing and a reminder from God. Those moments give me strength.

 

[living4jesus]

Amen Jkr8789.

I know exactly how you feel. I firmly believe in the scripture "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Praying for you and your guy. I like to be in control of everything in my life too and my fiancee's PTSD is one thing I cannot control as well and it drives me bonkers! But maybe this is how God teaches us to trust in him. We have to Let go and Let God! :)

God works in mysterious ways.

 

[PTSDMama]

Sometimes I think the healing may not necessarily be removing the PTSD. Healing can come in the form of having joy through the adversity, seeking God through whatever happens, having his peace. I pray for my child to be healed from this and for him not to have any lasting effects, but know he may have those still. I think the perspective that no matter what happens, God has us in the palm of his hand is very helpful but very difficult.