Posted on 07/28/2017 7:42:30 AM PDT by Salvation
We are often told to trust in God, and many of us have counseled others who are anxious or downcast to do so. But what does that mean?
In some cases, when people give this counsel they mean this: Don’t worry, God will eventually give you what want. God will come around to your way of thinking at some point. Hang in there and wait for God to answer (your way). He’ll take care of things (in a way that pleases you).
This is not trust.
To trust is to move to the stable conviction that whatever God decides to do is the right thing. It means being at peace with what He does, what He decides. It is to accept that God often acts in paradoxical ways, in ways that are different from, or even contrary to, our notions of what is best. God often permits evils for some greater good, even if this greater good is hidden from us.
At the foot of the cross, we realize that even a total disaster can produce immense good. We call that terrible day “Good Friday” for a reason. The apparent “total loss” of that day ushered in the New Covenant and made more than enough grace and mercy available to save the entire human race—if we but ask.
Many of us have experienced difficulties that were quite devastating to us at the time. In some cases, we have subsequently come to understand why God permitted them. We can see how we grew from the experience or how new opportunities were opened to us that, while not our preference at the time, were in fact best. In other cases, however, what went through still make little sense to us. But if we have learned to trust God, we can be at peace with His apparent “No” to our desired outcome. Trust says, “It is well with my soul.”
An old hymn with that title says,
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
That is trust: the ability to say, “Whatever my lot, it is well with my soul.” It is not wrong to present our wants and wishes to God, but trusting Him means being at peace with His answer, not resenting it.
We are forever asking God to bless what we are doing, but when do we ever seek what God is blessing and then do that?
Trusting God doesn’t mean thinking that He’ll eventually give me what I want. Trusting God means being at peace with whatever He wants; knowing that He wants it is enough for me; there is peace and it is well with my soul.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
A man was in his home when a flood started to come.
The police came to evacuate him, and he said “don’t worry- God will save me”
When the water was higher a boat came by to get him and he told them “don’t worry- God will save me”
When the water was so high he had to go up to his roof a helicopter came to rescue him, and he told them “don’t worry- God will save me”
So he drowns.
And when he gets to heaven he says “But God, I told everyone that you would save me”
And God says “What else did you want, I sent a car, a boat, and a helicopter”
LOL
I had a longer version of that ready to post, but I wasn’t sure how it would be taken.
Finally decided to post it, hit refresh one last time and there was your post.
GMTA
An oldie but a goodie.
Reminds me of the days of Katrina in New Orleans.
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations... O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
I pray this prayer everyday since I have friends and family dealing with very serious health issues--"Thy Will be done," Lord!
Thanks!
I see that it is a novena — nine days of prayer. Good link — Thanks.
Thank you.
Someone sent me that prayer (Novena) when life was tumultuous. I’ve prayed this novena continuously for the last two years.
Example: My sister-in-law has been diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 3. She has been undergoing chemo and radiation. Her dr. said tumor is gone-—CT scan will confirm this week or next.
In her entire life she has been a heavy smoker—not the least bit religious that I can tell. My hope is that she will open her heart to God and give thanks to Him. I have a feeling things will change for her!
Praise be to God. I’m going to follow your example and pray this everyday. It reinforces my trust in God and that’s a good thing. Thank you, again.
Roman Catholicism teaches go to Mary instead when Jesus isn't answering.
According to Eadmer (A.D. 1060–1124), an English monk and student of Anselm, “sometimes salvation is quicker if we remember Mary's name then if we invoked the name of the Lord Jesus...[who] does not at once, answer anyone who invokes him, but only does so after just judgment. But if the name of his mother Mary is invoked, her merits intercede so that he is answered even if the merits of him who invoked her do not deserve it.”
"In "Glories of Mary" by Liguori, whose writings were declared free from anything meriting censure by Pope Gregory XVI (1839) in the bull of his canonization, he teaches, Beware, chosen soul, of thinking that it is more perfect to direct your work and intention straight to Jesus or straight to God. Without Mary, your work and your intention will be of little value. But if you go to God through Mary, your work will become Mary's work, and consequently will be most noble and most worthy of God. - THE SECRET OF MARY, St. Louis de Montfort; http://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/SECRET.HTM
She isn't even mentioned anywhere in the entire article, yet you still bring her up.
I'm impressed with your devotion to her.
You completely miss the point.
I'm noting another false teaching promulgated by the Roman Catholic Church.
LOL, something that's not even mentioned in the article.
Protestant Arguing Rule #1: If there's nothing to argue about in the article, invent something.
But this is exactly what the Roman Catholic does when praying to Mary....they're going to her to get what they want when they can't get it from God.
It demonstrates a lack of trust in God.
LOL, now you’re a mind reader.
I’m still amazed by your devotion to Mary. It must be because of my praying for you. I’ll keep on doing it.
Your delusional.
Will you reject the claims of the two posts I posted?
Protestant Arguing Rule #2: Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.