God and Faith?

Question

I used to be a very dedicated christian then 4 years ago my borther died a HORRIFIC death, and i had to sit back and watch him die like that for 10 monthes and I lost all faith. He died from Lou Gehrigs (ALS) and I can feel God pulling me back to him but im having a hard time with it. Any advice?

please and thank you.

Answer 1

God will find you no matter how far you have strayed.

Several years ago I had an unusual experience concerning an uncle, a distant relative who lived over a thousand miles away.

While driving my car I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of this relative that I hardly even knew. He was more like someone I had heard about than someone I knew. It was very strange; it felt as though I was momentarily lifted right out of my physical body. I seemed to be suspended somehow beyond space and time, bathed in a love so intense It felt like I could have just disappear into it at any moment if It would have let me. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it seemed to last forever at the same time. I realize how crazy this must sound. The experience was so strong that at first I was afraid I was loosing my grip on reality. I finally managed to chalk it up to an over active imagination.

Three days later I got a call from my aunt telling me that this uncle we are talking about had gone into a coma and died the day I had the experience. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back when she told me this. I had lost any real ideas of God or faith and had become somewhat of an atheist. Needless to say this experience caused me to rethink some of the conclusions I had come to.

I feel blessed to now understand that even in our darkest confusion something loves us so much that it went out of its way to assist me and bring me back to a state of absolute certainty about Gods love for us.
During the experience it seemed like there was a vast amount of information that I was somehow allowed access to. One thing that I came away from this experience understanding beyond any shadow of a doubt was that any Idea that God is unhappy with us or would judge or allow us to be punished for any reason is simply impossible.

I can’t explain the love I felt with words. They simply don’t make words big enough or complete enough to do this. The only way I can begin to convey this love to you is to say that there was simply nothing else there. Nothing but love. No hint of judgment, no displeasure of any sort. It is as though God sees us as being as perfect as we were the day we were created. It is only in our confused idea of ourselves that we seem to have changed.

I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck. Love and blessings.

Your brother don

Answer 2

The wise man walks with his head bowed, humble as the dust.

I'm not a religious man. I never was. That's the effect of growing up in an Irish househould with a Catholic father and Protestant mother. I don't believe God is the answer to everything, nor do I live my life according to the out dated words of the bible, torah, or Qur'an, and that's going to get me a few thumbs down from the religious types here. I also find it strange that the thre Abrahamic religions can never get along. Whatever...

What I can tell you is that you walk a path called life my friend, and only your heart will lead you in the right direction. You need to do what's in your heart and follow that. If your god is what's in your heart, then you should follow where your heart leads. I don't think God has all the answers, and maybe you need to take charge of your life and rather than turning to God, look inward for answers.

Answer 3

I once went away from the Lord many years ago now, after a period of bad things which happened to me. I was away from the Lord for five years, in which I was a very bitter person. The bitterness in my life made me so miserable and I fell out with people easily. I like you grappled with the decision to return to the Lord for some months, and I did not give in easily, but I came to realise that my life was empty and I even got on my own nerves whilst I was in this state. I was not happy, and I knew that it was only in a relationship with the Lord Jesus, could I be whole again.

Because I had been a Christian since a teenager, and God's Spirit was in me, God spoke to me through His Word, from passages and verses of the Bible which I had learnt, and thus I came back to the Lord, and sought to put things right with the people I had wronged.

Two weeks after this, my 12 year old son died in a very tragic accident. He was on a life support machine for three days before his brain stem died. In the days leading up to his accident my son gave his life to the Lord Jesus.

I have never become bitter again, because I had learned during the five years that I had been away from the Lord, that there is nothing worth living for outside of a relationship with God, and despite this happening to my son, I had the assurance that he was safe with the Lord Jesus. I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose. I know that God is infinite and He sees beyond what we see. He has the bigger picture. This world is only a passing through - it is temporary. I have learned that life is a test, and when we submit our whole lives to the Lord, we cannot lose.

I look back over my life and see the hand that has guided and planned. I see the faithfulness of God, I see how He has given me strength, hope and faith to overcome.

I now head up a detox unit with Teen Challenge, helping those who seek to get through the battle of addiction with a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - I am fulfilled and very happy. I have difficulties in my life, but I choose to trust God in it all, because I know that through Him - I am more than a conquerer.

Your willing to contact me direct if you wish by email, if you would like to correspond some more.

Answer 4

Look, the Word says you get salted by fire. I am sorry to hear about your brother. But you can ask any Christian that is seasoned in the Lord, meaning they have been through some things and it built character and they did not quit in their walk with God. You have to fight the good fight of faith and stay close to the Lord NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS...(I have been through some very bad losses that I don't want to mention here and was glad the Lord was there through it all).Come on back to the Lord and let him restore you with his love and goodness.

Answer 5

First sorry to hear that your brother suffered from this disease, it is a dreadful and horrible ordeal, we have a man in our church who is going throug the same thing. He has been such an inspiration to us all as know your brother was as well.

Second I am sorry that your faith in God has been put to the test, and a very severe trial it was. I know that you must have prayed every day for him, and no doubt prayed even more harder as you saw the full weight of that disease take hold of his body and mind and tear him away from you. That is a very hard test to endure. I will not tell you I do not know what you are exactly going through, but I have had several tests like this in my past, and I prayed for her healing, you see my grandmother 2 years ago died of cervical cancer. She was the hub of the family, and when she went home to be with the LORD, our family disentegrated. Yeah we talk but we are not as close as we used to be. However in your case, I trully believe that God is pulling you back, slowly, it is a process a walk, God wants His relationship with you renewed but it is up to you, how you want that re-established.

Remember, that yes there are things in this life God rescues us from, and there are things that we are made to go through, it is by His grace that we can and will endure them, so that when someone else goes through the same thing we can have compassion on them and suffer with them, hold them up, and perhaps bring them closer or even into a relationship with God. These things that you went through God knew that you could endure them, with His help you can overcome it, Let God work with you through so that in the trying of your faith the dross is removed and the refining process is continued so that God's glory will be seen in you, that Christ's empowerment will be revealed through you, that in your times of weakeness people saw how you trusted in Him, not in the things around you, not in people, but solely and completely in Him for all things - I hope this helps

Answer 6

Faith in God means more than just beliving when things are going the way we want. Jesus said that in this life, you will have troubles. This is largely caused by our ancestors, Adam & Eve who sinned. Prior to that, there was no such thing as disease and death. Death came into the world as a result of sin. But Jesus redeemed us, by His cross, and reopened the gates of heaven to us. We in turn , although redeemed, must still endure suffering in this life on earth, but Jesus promised that one day, ther will be no more death, neither crying nor sorrow. On that day, He will give us the fullness of salvation. Jesus is welcoming all who strayed like the prodigal son with open arms. All you have to do is to go to Him.

Answer 7

In 2004 I had to watch my father suffering from stomach cancer, I prayed over him and he was in soooomuch pain but at the end I knew he went home with Jesus to the Lord our God. Then in 12-2006 I had to watch my one and only sister suffering to Aids and at the last four days of her life I had to stop going because I knew that the Lord was coming to take her home. I feel your pain of watching our love ones go home. But this is what keeps me strong: I know that long suffering is a blessing and the longer a person takes to surrender to God and repent of their sins that is how long that they will suffer. You know Jesus, the Lord is married to the backslider. Talk to God ask Him for His help to get yourself back to where you really belong and don't blame Him or question Him about Why.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:7-8

Answer 8

Everything happens for a reason. Go back to church and seek counseling from your Pastor. Read the Bible. Don't let anyone persuade your thoughts and beliefs.

Answer 9

You will be able to see your brother again and renew the same relationship and sociality you had with him here on this earth. God has prepared the way for that. The Savior Jesus Christ has atoned for all of us, and you can see your brother again.

Answer 10

When your brother was sick, God was by his side every second of the way. And while you suffered watching your beloved brother die, God was at your side to comfort and hold you. And while you turned away from God, He never stopped loving you unconditionally.