The Prayer Thread
Hello š
Let me start by saying I know religion has played a negative role in some peoples lives. If thats you, this thread may not be a good fit for you, although you may want to involve yourself to explore your feelings a little more. I just ask that you do so respectfully - all are welcome.
I often notice comments around faith, God and prayers in the daily check ins, and I wonder if theres a need for a prayer thread where people can come together and seek comfort in a quiet corner of 7 cups. So here goes ...... a brand spanking new thread for all things prayer related.
I confess Im not the most devout of Christians, so please dont look to me to find the right words all the time. But if you just want to sit a while, connect with God, and share that need with another human being, Im here to sit with you. I hope others will add to this thread and it becomes a place for mutual support.
And as for other faiths, oh gosh. Im a complete ignoramus. But I hope this can be an inclusive and respectful thread, so please dont feel excluded, whatever your beliefs ā¤ļø
Shalom everyone! I have a lot of thoughts
First off I wanna say it brings me so much joy seeing everyone here, together, in love omg it's amazing.
This thread has helped me so much and I love the connection to trauma and how we have all helped eachother!! It's amazing
I have a lot of Christian things I wanna share so 1) there is this show called AD the Bible Continues on Netflix, it's amazing!! It taught me a lot and I love the representation of women and people of color
2) anyone Mennonite here? I have family who were I would love to learn more about that life
3) I'm sure many people do this but I didn't really appreciate how amazing this prayer is that my mom had us say each night at dinner: everyone has a turn each night even really young kids and you say "God is great God is good let us thank Him for our food, thank you for- and then every person at the table says a name of someone else there like your sister or parent or pet
That's beautiful because it teaches gratitude like we may not have a lot but we have our family and it makes the people sitting there feel loved
4) I had a dream where I was reading this book in the new testament which I don't think exists but someone probably an early convert to Christinity said "I have been changed in feminine ways" and a lot of the guys in my class were freaking out and got all defensive and scared saying how dare they be turned into women blah blah. And I was like "I don't think that's what it means if you look in the new testament and the history of Judea there, when Jesus came he promised to free women with him. I think that's incredible like he respected women and gave them leadership like Mary Magdalene
But I also think it means that the world was liberated in a feminin sense in that people were showing emotion. Men were showing emotion which everyone needs to do. There's this thing that goes "Jesus taught me how to cry" people were amazed that Jesus a man of power wept and showed vulnerability that men saw as weak and feminine. But everyone needs to cry. When Jesus was crucified the women came and wept.
Also living there, life was very violent. The Romans were incredibly brutal and tortured so many people into submission like the people of Judea were living in fear that their place woild be conquered the Romans even tried to put a statue of them in the temple. So I think living in that terrifying place where aggression is so common, for men to let it out and weep like the women were said to do, broke down the bounds. In the Bible there is the Roman who converts to Christ and here is a man who had tortured and massacred women, children. And he said it was enough and he was sorry. In the Netflix show Mary Magdalene held him as he wept. This man who had hurt her people.
So that's amazing. So yea. Showing emotion is not weak. When you have been broken down as many of us with trauma may feel, it is more than ok to weep. Going through all the emotions helped to me, liberate the world so maybe it can liberate you.
Blessed be.
@wittySpruce8187
Thank you for sharing all of this. I think its good to contemplate such things regarding the history of the times Christ lived in. It makes me draw a bit closer perhaps but also causes a fear. ... is it in the Bible that Mary Magdalene forgave a man? Did she have that authority?
I am female and yet I have such a complicated relationship with the idea of being female. Not in an everyday sense. More in the sense that in the Bible, especially Old Testament, women are below men. Is this truly ordained? And if it is shouldnt I be ok with it? Also in the New Testament Jesus did not even seem particularly kind to his own mother. The first miracle of the wine he calls her woman? Seems disrespectful but maybe I dont understand the times. He continues I think with something along the lines of why are you bothering me? My time has not yet come. Did Christs mother hurry that miracle into being?
Anyway, I have often wondered if we are to be servants, lay aside our pride, pick up our cross and follow ... what does this mean being a female? How subservient should we be? Maybe its bc I relate Christianity to such suffering that these things become grey areas for me.
@themainjane
I don't think we are second hand people as women. Not with God anyway. With (religious) men maybe.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism.
Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,.......
Galations 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And maybe this article will shed some light.
@nolongerafraid
I agree Mas. God sees us all as equal. My take on it is that down through the ages the dominant patriarchal culture has interpreted scripture to place women in a lesser position. It is humankind's view... and over time it has shifted somewhat. We are each unique with our own gifts which can be used to enrich the body of Christ.
@rozie
I kinda agree and disagree 
I think Jesus was very honouring to women in the context of the culture He was living in. Actually giving a lot of freedoms to women that I don't think the jewish or gentile communities would give at that pointin history. He healed women, stuck up for them when being stone for adultary, leavinging the playing field with the men that sought to stone her. The women who touched the hem of His clothing, the relationships He had with Mary and Martha.
I think the issue is that man has not fully seen into the heart of God, that religion has taken over the true beauty of the message. The church as the bride of Christ should serve Christ, He is God made flesh. Marriage is a beautiful picture of our connection and intamacy with God. A willingness to serve, for both men and women. I find that religion is what clings to the genesis 3 picture of a woman subserviant. We are all serving God.
God is also wise, He knows us ladies like to sometimes be in control and He knows that for guys that can feel like we don't respect them. He also knows that love and nurturing come more easily to feminine characteristics and therefore men have to try harder to show this to their wives and women in their lives. All I see is His perfect design, His perfect guidance showing how we are to balance our pre judgements, to reflect and be mindfull of all the characteristics of male and female. All characteristics that were made in His image and should be celebrated for His glory.
@LifeIsMyCanvas
Yes I agree it is His perfect design for men and women. And in marriage where this is being worked out, it becomes a beautiful relationship, that honours and respects both.. as is modelled in Christ and the church. I think truth is revealed by God to each generation, and so we have a view that is different to earlier times, and yet our history is alos part of who we are.
@themainjane
I think its part of the Old Testament being very much of its time. Written when women didnt hold much power, it reflects that attitude. But it seems to me the New Testament updates that attitude, and sees God saying, through Jesus, listen to these women, see them, hear them, value them. Im afraid Im no scholar of the bible. I cant quote you chapter and verse. But the tone I get when I read parts of the New Testament is very much a nod to women being significant, even if perhaps the language and terminology doesnt appeal to our politically correct approach these days.
@DeborahUK
I agree very much with all of you. I definitely think the God I love doesn't value us less if we are women.
I think like it's been thousands of years since Jesus and Mary Magdalene and everyone walked and the Bible is so subjective and written by men so it's hard to tell exactly what it means.
I just know my interpretation of the texts is that like you said, the new testament showed higher roles for women. As for Jesus with each woman I do not know as I wasn't there but from what I've heard I feel like he made a statement by regarding Mary Magdalene as high as the other disciples, if not higher.
A few hundred years ago there were a lot of documents uncovered about Mary in this regard that were left out of the gospels.
But yea reading the old testament can be disheartening definitely. I don't understand a lot of it. But interestingly if you look at Miriam when Moses lead the Jews out of Egypt, not only does she have an important role but I think there was a prophecy like "your daughters and your servants will foretell what will happen" and because of her prophecy about her mother conceiving Moses her father stayed with them and that allowed the Exodus. I may be conpletely wrong about the plavement of that prophecy tho
I just had to share this in here, as its a song I listened to once some time ago, but Ive just rediscovered and really connected with the words. Yes, its a song about the trauma community, our anthem no less, but it also struck me how fitting it is for this thread, amongst our spiritual family, and with God.
Sung by our very own @WaterLily16 - did you write it too Lily? Its simply beautiful. Listen to it here
@DeborahUK
Thank you Deb for reminding us of this, and Lily for singing so beautifully. Well worth a listen.. its draws me to keep going back to hear it once more.. very special.
@DeborahUK
Aww, really nice song @WaterLily16 šš
@DeborahUK
What a pretty song! And very fitting, yes. 
@DeborahUK
Thank you very much for sharing this!! ššš!!
It touch my heart!! ššš!!
I loved this!! ššš!!
Thanks again!!
Shall we give 'us' a name? #PrayerWarriors ??
Anyway ... Would you all pray for me, my family, some of my personal friends, and our community? - for all who ever met or listened to our friend J.C. He passed away very suddenly yesterday morning (Sun July 8). I don't know much about how/why but that he was coaching a basketball game at the time (one of the things he really liked to do). J.C. was a leader in our community - he taught at our local seminary (within counseling/therapy department, I'm pretty sure). He left rather often to lead others in seminars and classes - developing counseling techniques, etc. J.C. is/was a well known, and very respected, psychologist in our area. He was my counselor for a time, many years ago; my mom also worked extensively with him as her counselor. I met with him for one time at the tail end of May this year - in order to talk about who he might refer me to, as I am searching for a different counselor. J.C. was kind and yet firm as he needed to be. J.C. was a masterful listener, allowing for silence as/when needed. J.C. became familiar with his clients' misguided coping skills - at times letting us use them and other times challenging us to cope in a better, healthier way. This evening has been very difficult for me as I feel myself saying "okay - when really NOT okay - okay, what do I do now?" Like if this has to be reality - J.C. has died - then what do I do in this new reality? It has not been a fun day.
I am thankful:
- that when I got home from the time with my current counselor today, my lovely SFO was pretty much at the door to meet me. And I was thankful because I needed him.
- that I have learned this news 'in time,' so that it is possible for me to attend to the visitation and the funeral service (ex. that those times are not already past).
- that my very dear friend called me tonight. She found out the news on Facebook - she knew J.C. well also - and she called me to see if I knew what's up and how I am doing. I thought of calling her many times today (at least three) and did not because today is her day 'off' of work. I am so very thankful that she called me!
Yup, that's all. Long enough, eh?! ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
Hugs to you Platy. That sounds so incredibly painful for you, but Im heartened by your strength in seeing positives too. Im without words, but youre in my thoughts, as I take a seat beside you, my hand outstretched to you if it helps you to hold it.
@DeborahUK - Are you sure you've not been a "fly on the wall" in my last few meetings with my dear friend (mentioned in thankful #3)?? This is just what I want to ask of her. Come sit with me? Just sit, just be. and yes, hold my hand too? In fact, I remember clearly this most recent time, but other times also, my friendC, she extended her arm and hand palm up, saying, shall we pray? So thank you Deb, I would most appreciate you to "just" sit with me and I would accept your outstretched hand. Thank you dear. Good Tuesday to you! ~ Platy
Oh!! Prayers for J.C.'s family too please! His wife, Lorri, and they have three daughters (all grown) at least one of whom is married. And their extended family too, for sure. <><
@cyanPlatypus6370
I am sorry for your loss. That is never easy, is it? I am glad you have your friends and people that care. 
Big hug and I will pray for comfort
@nolongerafraid
Thank you, Mas? I think that is how others are calling you... On a regular day I'll collect (and give) all the hugs I can find. So on today, I could use 2 or 3 times that many.
Yes, prayers for comfort. Also for direction, guidance, and wisdom.
And for my mom, as I'm not sure if she's found out this information yet - or how it will affect her :\ I'm actually tired! at a half-way normal time! I should be, it's been a long day. ((Platy decides to finally logoff now)) Thank you so much for your prayers! ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
Oh dear Platy, I'm sorry to hear of your loss,.. my heart goes out to you.And this is sudden too, so you will likely be in shock.please keep warm and that SFO who was waiting for you, close by.And your mum will be affected too,JC's family.. and many others.
With you in thought and prayer.Big hugs and puppy kisses from the crew here. xx
@cyanPlatypus6370 I am very sorry for your loss.
@cyanPlatypus6370
Praying for you and the community ā¤ā¤ā¤
Hello Everyone -
I could really use prayers. I'm in need of a good job and would appreciate prayers for help here. I am really struggling with this.
Thanks,
@Auckland
Praying for you ā¤
@wittySpruce8187 Thank you.
I forgot to pause. I definitely forgot to pray. Don
Came across the following and thought it might be helpful to myself or others. I think you can replace some words if need be and that the concept of working on ones spirituality still comes thru.
For instance you could replace doing the Steps daily with practicing our faith daily
12 steps in reverse - Road to Relapse
12. Having let up on our spiritual program as a result of not doing the Steps daily, and putting our personal priorities ahead of carrying the message we let our fellow addicts fend for themselves and once again practiced our own ideas.
11. Let our conscious contact with God as we understood him lapse by not making time to meditate and praying only in emergencies for our will to be carried out.
10. Slacked off on personal inventory and when we were wrong, denied or hid it.
9. Forgot about finishing list of amends because its in the past now, we are doing fine and we want to leave the past in the past and just move on.
8. Rationalized the harm we had done others by justifying that no one had been hurt by us more than we had been hurt by them and so we decide its even
7. Prayer is "I've Gotta Be Me", we decide it is more important to take some time to work on ourselves which includes loving and forgiving ourselves before we can love and forgive others
6. Become unwilling to see that there are defects of character needing removing.
5. Decided to once again stuff down deep inside ourselves all the harm we have done. Pride tells us we dont need to admit to ourselves, to God and to anyone else that we did anything harmful, fear tells us we must not admit it.
4. Quickly cast a weak flashlight over our moral inventory and focus on whats wrong with the world and everyone else to avoid focusing on ourselves.
3. Made a decision to keep our will and our lives totally in our own control, because we dont understand God and think we wont get what we want.
2. Came to believe that we still have some good ideas in how to solve our problems and are unwilling to accept outside help from God or sponsor.
1. We decided that we got this and have no interest in using. Now we have information, determination and fear, plus sit in on some meetings we will be fine.
I was just chatting with a listener and was thinking that it would be nice if we could choose a listener that believes in God. It really is a very different perspective.
@Auckland
I am a listener and I believe in God!!
@GuardianAngel77 Good to hear!
@Auckland
Yes it is!! š¼š¼š¼š¼!!
@Auckland @GuardianAngel77 -- ((Platy dials call to GAngel 
))
Auckland and all y'all -- I, too, am a listener. Different name (obviously?) but same number (hint). I agree, sometimes it would be nice to know what the (L) faith is like or beliefs - sort of like, okay well before I bare my soul to you here on 7cups; what sort of reaction can I "expect." Like that sort of, Auckland? Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 God is first and center for someonen who believes in him, whereas when someone doesn't believe in God,can believe that (or act like) they are god and that anything goes (it's a self centered view of life).
@Auckland
Yes I agree with you!! ššš!
@Auckland - Right. It is basically either 1. God-centered ... or ... 2. me/self-centered type of life. Those are pretty much all of the options.
I must admit though, even after I have given my life to Jesus, I am not always the best at choosing option "God centered" in my choices - even within my new life. I know through Jesus my eternity is secure, but I also know I am still human and some days I struggle more than others to put off the old self and turn Satan and his lies away. I am very thankful God gave us, as human beings, free will. Yet at the same time, some of my free will choices are super hard!
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV) (New International Version)
Hi everyone!!
I've been learning a lot behind the scenes at my church today thanks to my wonderful pastor
I'm still not sure what I want to do "with my life" as they say but today I think I saw a possibility to combine all my passions & be able to help in all the ways I want to through a through our church maybe??
It was very overwhelming I got very emotional, ie being my silent self and going off to be alone with my thoughts as I was sitting in the sanctuary watching the children sing and light from our wall which is literally all giant windows and a few beams to keep it up, shined on me and the pew.
It was so warm. I think I got scared bc that's happened before were it seems as if just the light is shining on me, a lot of things have happened like God and me moments even-i've only told like 1 other person this-a woman told me I have prophetic dreams
And I should be so thrilled about all that I know I am it's just a) I don't wanna be selfish and be like hahaha look at me, the chosen one and b)I've had such a complicated relationship with that
And c) I got worried and happy so naturally for me, then more worried, bc a few days ago I was at another very low point prior to almost almost starting for like 5 seconds to take my life
And I was in these beautiful woods, very sad being like welp there's nothing left, ihni what you want me to do God and the wind raged through me and it's done that a few times in my life.
And if it is God that would make me cry from joy bc He's really there, he's trying to help me, to tell me something
Anyhow so I went in a room alone like said, as I do when these things happen and I was like let's open a bible and flip to a page and maybe that'll tell me what to do (I know, that's wrong, testing kinda)
And it was in Jeremiah and something like "O Israel if you want to come back to me you can"
So I cried bc ok I feel like I've lived a very long life. A lots happened and I felt like as I grew I've had to abandoned the innocence or the feeling of God I had as a child. Bc my innocence was taken and I've had to sin to survive and honestly putting a career into a religious group is scary.
But here I am and as scared as I am to let myself say this I saw hope. I saw something I could really love doing. I don't want to be a big pastor or anything but something in outreach.
I think also I have been honestly petrified with the idea of going to college, leaving my mom and sister, leaving people unprotected, people still out there who are dangerous, and will I be able to be alone with myself?
So I think the idea of having a good future scares the crap out of me...but I want it. All I've ever wanted is to make people happy and safe and give the love that I have to others.
Idk.
Have a good day everyone!!
@wittySpruce8187 do you remember any specific dreams? If you doubt mind me asking
@Sammyhammy4567
I don't mind at all. Recently like a month ago I had a dream about a giant flood where I live. The dream had a lot of metaphors that i do think were just my subconcious trying to cope with stuff. But then that week we went up to 1 of the great lakes for my state and after I left it flooded.
Thank God I don't think any people were hurt but it did flood.
Other than that I just have a weird relationship with time, I use to have dreams that I would swear were so so real but I'd be living in the past or a different part of the world. That may not be from God either though. The imaginations very powerful sometimes mines too powerful haha.
I think all in all its a mix of I am very mentally ill and different so I fear sometimes I do hallucinate. Sometimes I have dreams that do happen. I do believe ghosts or spirits are real because I think I've felt them. I've been told I'm an empath like I can sense people's emotions around them. I definitely can feel when there's something bad about to happen or somewhere has bad energy. I know my grandfather's spirit talked to my mother once.
But idk why most of that could be just my mental disorders and not God you know?
Sorry for the long response I just never tell anyone about this
@wittySpruce8187 Personally, when I feel God, I feel peace. I hope you do too.
St Ignatious wrote about the discernment of spirits and you can find some videos on the topic on YouTube. I do think it is important to figure out what's what...who is that you are 'hearing' during prayer and meditation. Is it you, God or something else?
Here is an example...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXlWjnznwys&t=1772s
If you don't want to watch the whole thing, start watching at minute 28.
@Auckland
Ya I get that. Thanks for the resource!!
@wittySpruce8187
I think Auckland is right. It is important to find out the source. There are different ones.
When God speaks or gives an impression or dreams, they are to build up, encourage, strengthen, protect. It never tears down or causes fear or anxiety.
I posted this too early, I was not done yet.
I believe that God will sometimes give warnings. But with the warning will always be a solution or a call to prayer. If it does not come with peace nor a solution or an urgency to pray it will not be God. It might be true-ish but the source is not God. Just like with normal people or even your own thoughts, you have a choice to accept what they say or dismiss it. Does that make sense?
It says that we are His sheep and that we will hear His voice. So I believe we can. This short clip is a very good example of sheep hearing and listening to the right voice. They do hear the other voices but decide to ignore them until they hear their sheperds voice.
I hope this helps in discerning a bit.
@nolongerafraid
Thanks for the insight and resource!!
@wittySpruce8187 okay, so I'm about to head to work, but I would definatly like to talk a little more about all this. God said there would be more biblical dreams towards the end times, and I've been having them too. Now, I heard this from word of mouth. I haven't checked my bible yet though.
@Sammyhammy4567
For sure!I'd love to talk more about it. Are your dreams concerning you?
@wittySpruce8187 I wouldn't really say concerning. Just wild. Like the one I had recently went like : I was in the car with my girlfriend at night, she pointed at the sky and she was like oh my gosh! Look! When I did the moon was soo so close to earth, you could see all the crators so closely, and the cracks rippling off the crators. It wasn't even completely round anymore, it was rocky. Anyway we pulled over to the side of the road to look at it, and these people pulled up behind us and asked of we needed ant help. We said we were fine. Then they came up at our faces and their eyes were switching from red to yellow and the colors were moving around. It's was so weird. I somehow knew these were deamons. I reached in my pocket and pulled out a white wand that had gold flecks of light moving on it. When I did I said some verses from the bible and the ran away. Then we kept having different kinds of deamons representing different kinds of sins coming at us and we'd keep pulling out our wands and rehersing our verses and calling on God to protect us. There were so many different instances of this in different settings. I can't remember all of them. I remember there was this one deamon who shoved me up against a big boulder and took my wand and was taunting me. I woke up after that with my hand against pushing against the wall. Which I thought was kind of funny. When I woke up I realized that God truly does write the word on our hearts, and that I shouldn't have woken up because I didn't need a wand. I could have just called on God and he would have helped regardless. I remember In one part of the dream that I realised that the deamons weren't really deamons. They were people that were slaves to their thorns and just needed help and I was to love them, but not the sin even though they were trying to hurt me.
The whole thing was amazing, really biblical, and weird. Lol
@wittySpruce8187 sorry for the book lol
@Sammyhammy4567
No problem! I liked reading it
@wittySpruce8187 also, i have to add. I was never afraid.
@Sammyhammy4567
I love that, that you were never afraid, and your interpretation of the dream!
I definitely think that could reflect real life
I'm kinda groggy rn I just woke up but if you wanna talk about it more later, hmu
@wittySpruce8187 yeah dude! I think it was a visual of a peeled back layer of this world. We just have to look at things for what they really are. It'll really help us as Christians. We just have to remember that if it's not for God it's for the other one.
So I'm still reading The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren and I just finished chapters 18 and 19--about "experiencing life together, as an authentic church community"--and I immediately thought of this group.
Question to Consider: How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?
I'm not as active as I should be or want to be with a specific church, but I consider this group/thread to be a church "small group." So I wanted to share this from the book:
If you are a member of a small group or class, I urge you to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship: We will share our true feelings (authenticity), encourage each other (mutuality), support each other (sympathy), forgive each other (mercy), speak the truth in love (honesty), admit our weaknesses (humility), respect our differences, (courtesy), not gossip (confidentiality), and make group a priority (frequency).
I thought that part could be "The Prayer Thread's" group covenant, as well.
š¤šš½ššššā£ļøšš
@Macaiyla
I heard that this book is a great book!! ššš!!
@GuardianAngel77 :) You have heard correctly (according to me anyway) ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
Thank you!! Have a great night!
@cyanPlatypus6370
Agree with you Platy. x
@Macaiyla
I love this idea!
@wittySpruce8187
š thanks!
Hi, friends of prayer?
At the end and after church tonight, I was in lots of tears. If I'd been near someone I know better, I would have talked more and cried longer. I told my friend out loud - as in, actually told her - yesterday that I need to cry over this more.
The person on the prayer team at church, she said she would write down my name and pray for me this week too. She said she would pray for peace for me. It kind of amazes me how often recently people comment of more peace for me. I wonder is my anxiousness *that* obvious? Cuz that doesn't seem cool :( So I asked her to pray (also) for wisdom and discernment. There were several planned changes that have transpired this past week too; almost exclusively within my professional support system, it seems.
I would like to tell God, that was a big, like BIG, wrench that He tossed into 'my' plan for the week. Apparently I am not finished being mad at God. But He knows and knew that before, and He's okay if I'm mad at Him. I think it's harder on me, actually.
I am so used to (or trained to?) praying for others. It feels almost erroneous to pray for myself. But having others pray for me is okay. (raised eyebrow) Yeah, it doesn't make much sense to me either. Many things about this past week do not make sense to me. I think <---that is part of learning Trust. Learning about Trust and learning to Trust are different and I think both are hard. This could easily become an essay so I'll end for now. Please pray. ~ Platy
@rozie @anomalia @pinkfluffyUnicorns8706 - it's our day! officially. by Platy time it is Sunday now <3 ((Platy goes to hug SFO, giant bear hug ... ( @rosyOctopus ) wishing for giant bear hug for self.))
@cyanPlatypus6370
Hi Platy, it is a different thing to be on the receiving end, tell me about it. And trust is a difficult thing.
I always picture God listening to me rant and just smile at me with this huge grin on His face. Maybe even shake His head a little.
He won't fall of His throne just because we are mad at Him. There is still plenty of things I am mad at Him for and things I don't get either. One thing that has been really helpful for me, and some others I have helped with this, is ask God to reveal to you where He was in the situation that was so upsetting to you. He does answer that and it is very healing to realise He has been there. Not just as a bystander but as a warrior and a saviour.
I think my favorite part of the Bible is this peace in Psalm 18
I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn[of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around himā
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, Lord,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
This is awesome to think about. Someone who actually fights for you and is faithfull and relentless in His pursuit of you.
I can write essays too, sorry about that. I can get carried away easily.
I will pray.
And I think you have something to celebrate too, so congratulations on that 