Christians!!! Believers and Non Believers alike, why do they do this?

Question

I've experienced this alot lately from those close to me.... Some are believers and others arent...They keep coming to me for answers! One wants me to pray for something they need a (non believer) and another wants to bog me down with their problems a( believer) and when I tell them to go to church or ask God they look at me with such discernment! lol :)....as if im being facetious....but I really mean it.... GO TO CHURCH and ask God!!!! that's who I get my answers from and even when I become discouraged I still stand true and press on cause I know I have his favor! I guess my question is... Why do folks get offended when you tell them they need to go to chruch... but would rather sit actionless complaining about their problems? I dont understand! What do they want me to do? I feel like I HAVE SPOKEN!!! I told you what to do.... to get some kind of direction and you act as if I have made an appointment to get your teeth pulled? Are people Nuts? I really try to help...

I listen and Im objective and I love... This question may not sound like it but I do love and im encouraging but what do you want me to do?

Well the non believer is "agnostic" which to me means just be a MAN and say you dont believe in God! Gimme a break

Jade H... Your right! me and my cousin always laugh about this because I have all these thoughts and I think hmmm.... Im really smart but then I think... Well I cant be that smart.. lol cause I would have figured that out 10 years ago.... It makes sense that the ice doesnt belong in the oven lol... so no, I do attribute what I know to the Lord.... I'm not that smart because there are somethings I have been knowing my whole life but when the Lord actually shows me this same thing it's completely different... I dont know if you understand but If you arent a believer then you wont... No offense... but these things are just silly to you.

Answer 1

Folks get offended when you tell them they should go talk to God because some of them want to feel that they are terribly unique and that their problems are so important and huge and special that God either (a) can't handle them or (b) is too boring an answer for their magnificent, spectacular, dramatic tragedies. In other words, people don't want to hear "go to church" and "pray" because they want to live in their problem and slobber all over it like it is a precious little baby that just oh-so-much depicts every little freakin' thing about their infinitely complex soul.

Another way to say this is, I hear ya, girl. It does get frustrating when people prefer to live in the problem and will not take steps toward the solution. The ONLY solution, mind you, which is, Put the problem in God's hands and act as he directs you to act (or don't act if he directs you to sit still).

One thing that helps me is that I am not responsible for people's inaction, nor am I obligated to love their crises as much as they love them. Moreover, I have no power to make them do anything constructive or useful about their lives, so if they don't act, it's on them, not on me. If I have done my part and listened with compassion and guided in God's spirit when asked for my input, my job is finished.

I just back out of people's crises if they are things the people themselves aren't willing to take steps to solve. If they love the problem that much, they can keep it for their own, but they aren't going to get me tangled up in it.

Solutions are simple. People often don't want them because they want to feel more complex. They also, for whatever reasons, want to believe in a limited God who is not big enough for whatever they may come across.

Just tell them--before you close the door behind you--that God is not only big enough but way bigger than their problem, and that if they wish to trust him, he is there waiting.

Answer 2

I am an Agnostic, but I believe in God.
OK I read your question. I think the problem is not necessarily your intention, which was well meaning. Maybe these people think you don't really want to pay any attention to their problems. You have the same easy answer for everything - go pray to God. Perhaps they already do that, and they don't really want an answer, they just want a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. Some people like to complain, and it's up to you to decide you want to spend any time listening to them. Perhaps they are looking for encouragement, a good joke to cheer them up or some tidbits of your wisdom. I'm pretty sure they already know you would recommend prayer.

Answer 3

You obviously set a good example for them. They respect what you are, and how you live your life. Unfortunately, most people aren't willing to put time and effort into making their own improvements. They'd rather draw from a strong base, such as yourself. They are selfish, and into instant gratification.
I think you're on the right track to advise them to go to church. They need to put some effort into making positive things happen. Isn't there some sort of bible quote "God helps those who help themselves"? If they don't have a preferred church, then invite them to go with you. Maybe just the exposure to the glory of the power of many people believing in one thing will get them off their lazy butts!
Being asked by a non-believer to pray for them makes me wonder whether they really might believe. Maybe they just haven't ever been taught the way of the lord. Lots of folks are under the false pretense that there's a strict guideline to praying.
For a believer to bring their troubles to you is a bit of a stretch. They know about the confidentiality of ministers, priests, pastors. Perhaps they fear the admonishment that might come from discussing self-inflicted troubles (borne of bad choices). You are probably a "safe" choice for them to bring their burdens to.
So, round them up, dress them up, and take them to church with you...and sit on the other side of the room from them!

Answer 4

It is always easier to have someone else do something for you then doing the thing yourself. But this could also be a compliment to you as they may believe that you have a inside line to God. Those people may not have a relationship with God and therefore feel unable to reach out to him in times of trouble. I would just say "Lets go in the back room or quieter place where we can pray about this together, OK?" If you are not able to do this on your workplace take a few minutes in the parking lot, as Gods people we have to help when ever praying is requested. They may not know of a church to go to offer to bring them to yours, they may not feel comfortable in church but you can show them how to be christian by example.

Answer 5

Many church going Christians go thru this. You are not alone. Many who don’t attend church and ask you these things may feel they are not close enough to Christ to ask themselves. Also some who ask that claim are believers, but don’t go to church you have a right to ask them why they don’t go to church and do that themselves and ask them to answer it, not just with a I don’t know or I just don’t, type of answer. If they claim they do go ask them if they have asked their church to pray. If they say they haven't then tell them to call, even if it’s right then, many believers claim and don’t follow their words. Going to church ONLY on holidays doesn't count as GOING to church. Many unbelievers are scared and ask for prayer out of fear. Think of the unbelievers asking and the prayer answered as a door to bring up Christ in their lives. If they ask for a need in a prayer say something like if the lord wills it. Or say. I will but god doesn't answer all prayers for your request may not be the path he wants you to take. Even see if they wouldn't mind if you pray for what they ask right there with them. Sometimes these situations can become an open door to share more about Christ. For church isn't just in a building, but also anywhere you stand. Where 2 or 3 are gathered I am there is what the bible says. A building is not god or Jesus. He is everywhere to ask in prayer. When the believer bogs you down with their problems start bringing up pray right then with them about it. Tell them. It’s not your business to know their problems, but god knows what you need. Pray right then and in many ways they stop asking so much or they really think more about their own path with Christ as well.

Answer 6

I have a question for you and in no way is it meant to be rude or disrespectful.. You say you get your answers from God.. Does god speak to you when giving you these answers or do you just know what to do and thats him putting it in your mind? Havent you ever thought that your a smart person and you come up with the answers yourself, and those answers are actually choices that you have to make and you are making them yourself but using god as the reason for doing so? Just curious.. if this sounds rude I am terribly sorry!

Answer 7

Sometimes people ask questions without really caring what your answer is going to be. Sort of like talking outloud to themselves. You know like asking - does this make me look fat? lol sometimes we just want to hear what we want to hear. Make sense?

Sounds like maybe people think you have an active close relationship with God and want your prayers or advise but not to be preached too. You may want to think about the way you answer them. Ask God to give you the words to speak. Doors of oppertunity are opening for you to help and be a witness. Seek God's guidance on the words you speak.

Kathy

Answer 8

Today was a bad day and yet your question help me so much
so instead of saying pary for me I read Proverbs 3:5-6 and I said
WOW share it and remember going to God is better than running away
They ask you because you have a way of saying I belive let me help you find GOD again. You should feel good about who you are to those around you I love it when I'm ask
Thank you for your question because I prayed for you today

Answer 9

some non belevers seem to think that because your a christan it is a magical line to God and that they can bring requests to you and that you will talk to God for them...you need to pray for them to come to know the Lord and then they can have communication with him, you need to tell them you will pray that they will come to know him, and that you will keep them in prayer for everything, because there will be times God will answer to show this person he is real, depending on what the request is, christians that come to you need a friend, sister, someone to help, encourage, listen and pray, when we become christians we take on a great task to meet the neeeds of others, to be a servant to all. True they need to go to God, but God has put you in their path for encouragement and pray. consider it an honor to be there to help someone,as humans sometimes we need someone just to listen or offer advice, and yes there are people that are just complainers and do not want to do anything to help themselves. let God deal with them and you do what he wants you to do, he wants to see what your response is.... blessings and prayers to you

Answer 10

They don't need to go to church to ask God for help, so tell them to sit down where they are and ask God for direction and that you can't send them to anyone else whom you know that could help them more than he can. And tell them that you were put in the position that you are in so that you can give them direction and that you just did and to have a nice day.