Why in the heck to people say...."thankful to just be alive"...or..."better than the alternative"?

Question

I just don't understand that. A guy was just here and he was saying that his mother is 88 yrs old. He said SHE'S lucky to still be alive. How is that lucky? She can hardly see, bearly hear, gets along rather slowly and painfully at that. Why do people say it's luck to be alive when the living conditions are poor at best?
What's so great about being here? My alternative is heaven. Once I am gone I'll be in heaven. It doesn't get any better than that. Help me to understand what makes some people so darn glad to be here. Everywhere I look, I see pain and misery, suffering and hardship, struggles and turmoil. My husband says "I'm thankful God allowed me to live another day". Why? So you can work from sun up to sun down to pay bills. So you can feel the arthritis in your knees and back some more. So you can deal with more rude people. So you can be tired and out of breath easily. It's a steady routine of the same thing day in and day out. Work, work, work. Behind with the bills. Body pains

Answer 1

I have to agree with You,I do not want to be 88 sick, in pain and helpless.Seems as though we are in the minority every one says it's great to just wake up each day.

Answer 2

You're focusing alot on the physical side of life. Most people who I have heard say such things, say it because they are gratefull for their family, or their friends.

Physical pain is bearable when you have someone to care for you. My Grandma is 72 and her husband was diagnosed with dimentia a number of years ago. It has now gotten so bad that he can barley remember who she is, and is often rude and horrible towards her.

But no matter how bad his behaviour gets, she is still thankfull that she is alive, and well, and that even though his health is deteriorating, they have had many wonderful years together.

Memories are an amazing thing, when you are old and feel you have nothing left to live for, you can look back at the life you had and be happy that you lived it. Even the bad times, and that in itself makes you glad to still be apart of life.

This is the thing I don't like about the idea of heaven. It shifts focus away from the hell we have here. People are less likley to try and better their own lives, or be gratefull for what they've got, because they expect to go to heaven when they die. Without heaven we would have to take a look around us, and maybe try and created heaven here on earth instead of looking up into the clouds and looking forward to death!?

I swear, I will never look forward to death. Even if my bones are aching, and my family have forgotten me, even if I can barley walk or talk or do any of the things I used to do so well...Because I would still be alive, to see the turning of the world, and the growing of the next generation, the ones who will inherit the earth once I'm gone...

There is a lot more to life than just aching bones, and the ability to walk.

Answer 3

One thing is certain, this life ends. After it's over, what then? If we are eternal beings, then this 100 years or less on this mortal coil won't seem like a long time at all, even if it's defined by pain and misery. It's an experience that we can never repeat. If there were no good events at all, then maybe I'd think myself unfortunate to be alive, but as long as there are times of happiness and such, I would like to hang around and see what happens next. When we are young, the physical seems to be very important, but as we grow old, we find joy and significance in less tangible aspects of existence. Why not just wait until your ride is over and try to find good as you pass through? If you focus on what you don't like, you'll get depressed. If you search for things to be glad about, you'll find yourself a lot happier. Trust me, I've looked at life from both sides.

Answer 4

God put us here for a purpose. Each day He gives us gives us more opportunities to fulfill that purpose. Instead of looking at the negative aspects of living in this world start thinking of what YOU can do to be a blessing to someone else.

In man is but A breath! Each and every breath is a gift from God...use them wisely.

Answer 5

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

sure, this life can be tough. but this life is but a vapor, so quickly gone and we are here for a reason. don't dwell on the bad, be thankful for the good

sure, you have eternity in heaven, but once this life is gone its gone for good

this is your training ground, don't pass up the lessons learned that will be with you for all eternity

God has laid out good works for you here, do them gladly and look forward to the promise

Answer 6

Every day on Earth is a blessing. It is a chance to learn, to grow, to be with loved ones and family. I don't have to go to heaven to reap it's rewards - God is with me right here, right now, and always. Yes, to be in heaven is infinitely better than being here on Earth, but while I still live, there is much left for me to do. If everyone followed your logic, they'd all want to die as soon as they were convinced of eternal salvation.

Answer 7

When a person suffers greatly in life, and this suffering ennobles their spirit, they are grateful to just still be alive. I hear that a lot in my community because we were reduced to third world conditions by Hurricane Katrina and are just glad to be alive, when so many others died in the storm. Your attitude tells me you are young and also, immature and have had little life experience or else you are bitter.

Answer 8

Wind under My Wings - Bette Midler thanks - Led Zeppelin All because of You - U2 All issues fantastic and captivating - Cecil Frances Alexander A Boy's Thanksgiving Day - Lydia Maria baby O God, under Thy Guiding Hand

Answer 9

I find it difficult to understand why christians cant wait to die. Its almost as if you're just constantly waiting for the day you're going to die and not interested in life whatsoever. I find that very sad.

Answer 10

gosh, I hate to say that I agree with you, but I do. I have been thinking the very same thing for months.
personally, I can't wait to just go home.