okay i was told to go read the bible. I am overwhelmed by the fact that i was told a self help book would not help me and that my answers were meant to come to me in time. Are the questions to all my answers in the bible. I pray and read all the time. Isnt it time to take a break? Isnt there so much praying and reading of gods word that one can do to exhaustion. I think that sometimes there is such thing as other books with life experience behind it to help us through our situations. maybe self help books could help too. Is it stated in the bible somewhere that we must look only to god for all our answers. I am put out. please try to enlighten me.
2006-10-21 05:53:44 · 10 answers · asked by springreed 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i am struggling with marital problems and told my husband since he wanted to go to a christian book store that i wanted a book about repairing a marriage and it felt as if he knocked me to the ground
2006-10-21 06:00:39 · update #1
It depends. I wish that your question included more details concerning what you were seeking help with. It would be easier to provide a relevant answer to your question.
All of the answers are in the Bible. However, our abilities are different, and we may not be attuned yet to finding those answers--having had not enough experience, enlightenment, discernment, and whatnot just yet. Certainly there are books that help one to read the Bible. And there are books written by people of faith that directly address certain issues that people struggle with. Moreover, there are secular texts that can indeed be useful to people struggling with certain issues.
I would be better equipped to suggest a course of action for you if I knew what you were struggling with. If you care to tell me, add more details or else email me, and I'll let you know if I can point out a path.
Best to you.
--
Well. From the additional details you provided, it seems perfectly sane and reasonable of you to be seeking a book regarding how to heal a damaged marriage. If you are looking for a book written by a Christian--that is, a book about healing a marriage that looks to Scripture as a guide--I don't see any problem with this at all. It sounds like the problem is in your husband. Perhaps he is fearful of "losing control" over you, or maybe he is fearful of what you may discover. Sometimes people in strained marriages are afraid of the other person seeking outside guidance--even from a book--because they are afraid that their partner might find something valuable and useful, and then have some relevant "ammunition."
To be clearer, it sounds like perhaps your husband wants the problem to continue and doesn't want you to seek a solution, and whatever his motives are for this, I don't know. He may be afraid of growth and change. He may have a secret he doesn't wish for you to discover.
But a Christian man discouraging his Christian wife to seek Christian counsel about their strained marriage seems more like the Christian man has a side agenda or hidden motive that he would like to remain unexamined.
I would encourage you to go to that bookstore yourself and browse what's available on the topic of healing marriages. I would also encourage you to speak to your priest or pastor about this issue--and also see if they themselves would encourage Christian counseling for you and your husband.
You may find yourself faced with resistance and defiance on your husband's part...but you may also be pleasantly surprised if he agrees.
In this case, you clearly are seeking some guidance and assistance, and to deny yourself that because your husband knocked the wind out of your sails seems to be the exact wrong thing to do. A Christian man committed to working through the trials that marriage sometimes poses would not knock you down for wanting to seek help that comes from outside of yourself.
I hope that you will continue seeking help and guidance.
2006-10-21 05:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self help books are nice btu the Bible is the only true way to understand. Sometimes you need to get an easier Bible to understand. A study bible works really well and allows you to get a better understandin of what it is saying. Devotionals work really well too. There are couples devotionals if you husband is in to that kind of thing and they just make the bible make more sense. I am married as well but only for five months and a book that I got as a wedding present was the power of a praying wife and I couldn't beleive how amazing that book was and made everything that happened with the husband so much easier. Prayer does work just some things happen in God's timing but like the book I was talking about says it is how you are praying and what you are feeling. Please get one it helps so much.
2006-10-21 06:18:19 · answer #2 · answered by Lindsay H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well from my experience, I would say self help books can be a helpful tool and even a good guide to some of life's issues. I myself read a lot of books from Christian authors on many issues. However those very same authors take time in prayer to write those book, usually. As for every answer in the Bible; The Bible says that the word is living and active. God speaks to His people by the power of the Holy Spirit as it convicts the soul. So yes every answer can be found in the Bible, but really it all comes down to prayer and faith.
2006-10-21 06:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by pressersf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a double-sided answer, so pls read all of it:
The Bible is a great help with all aspects of our life. By following it, we can lead happier lives overall.
However, the Bible was written before some of our current ailments existed and therefore could not comment directly on them. While following the Bible can help situations like these, it can sometimes take the help of a professional to fix a certain problem. Here's an example:
The Israelites were given very strict sanitation laws by God, which would help them avoid disease. If we follow them today, we lead cleaner, healthier lives. However, that doesn't mean we won't get sick. When we do, we go to the doctor to get better. See what I mean?
2006-10-21 05:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who says a self-help book won't help you? That's ridiculous. You could also find some help on the internet by going to discussion forums dealing with your problem or downloading articles. While Jesus said some nice things, The Bible is full of myths and stories that only children believe. I mean, c'mon, Noah's Ark??? So silly. You're better off getting some books on Buddhism aas well as medical self-help books.
Email me if you need any help. I like helping people. Good luck!
2006-10-21 05:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by a sock 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What if God was so complete and self-confident, that "He" moved through all teaching, this because He knew there is only one teaching, because He is All That Is?
What if He were not a centralized, distant deity, but in and through and as, all He created?
Why would infinite love confine itself to an ancient collection of books ( the Bible...which still does contain truth, though clouded in allegory/parable), when His house of many mansions holds untold avenues to His heart?
What if you missed a vital lesson because you thought God would be angry? Do not be afraid to seek, and find.
2006-10-21 07:38:49 · answer #6 · answered by Sky in the Grass 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think a self help book will help you, there is no harm in reading it. At worst - you'll end up with a better understanding of yourself. I think the more we understand ourselves, the easier it is to deal with difficult situations and the less likely we need to search outside ourselves for internal answers in the future. Good luck!
2006-10-21 06:00:00 · answer #7 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 tim
roman10
luke 12:21
luke 11:1-13
col 3
2006-10-21 06:06:30 · answer #8 · answered by robert p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
self help books are fine as long as they are scripture based. There are lots of authors who are counselors that base their advice on the Word.
2006-10-21 05:57:05 · answer #9 · answered by heavnbound 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible says "Don't lean toward your own understand but in everything you do trust in GOD and He will direct your paths." That's not an exact quote.
Only He can guide you.
2006-10-21 05:56:51 · answer #10 · answered by JaimeM 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋