Hi, I know that asking a religous question is a little strange (because it's basically just what I believe) but I need some help from someone who is much more strict about religion than I am.
I'm Catholic, but I'm not really religious; I haven't been to church in a long time, but I do pray frequently.
Here's the thing, when praying, I made a vow to the "heavens" that I would never do this certain thing if God would give me the strength to do a certain thing. Turns out, that I was given the strength, but maybe two days later, I did the thing I promised I wouldn't. I am very afraid that God is going to harm me in some way as punishment. I am afraid of flying and I have a big vacation coming up to Europe, I am afraid that God will let the plane crash or something bad will happen. I feel really bad, and really scared, and sort of embarassed. Thanks
2007-06-04 18:57:25 · 12 answers · asked by raspyvoice22 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God's wrath is reserved for unrepentant sinners! He doesn't act in an arbitrary fashion as you suggest. If He did we would all be in Hell long ago because we deserve to go there.
My wife was Catholic for 21 years before she got saved.
Catholicism has no saving power, praying to the Heavens is of little value, and God doesn't answer prayer just because you made a promise you didn't have the power to keep.
You can only begin to understand God when you know in your heart you are a sinner and are truly sorry for your sin. Then you ask God personally ( not through a priest ) to forgive you and believe He will. Then pray and ask Christ to cleanse you of all your sin and to rule and reign in your life. If you mean it God will know and you will know He forgave you because He reveals it to you spiritually. The peace that comes with this experience is wonderful, and the knowledge that you are free to love and serve Him forever and need not fear His awful judgments is powerful.
2007-06-04 19:31:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The God I know is not vengeful but your spirit is uncomfortable because you broke your promise to Him. Call it guilt or whatever, but the end result is the same. You may think twice about trying to make deals with Him in the future or if you do make a promise, you are more likely to keep it. This is all part of maturing in your relationship with God.
Go on your trip in confidence. If your plane crashes....so be it. God isn't going to cause it to happen. He doesn't work that way.
2007-06-04 19:10:11 · answer #2 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If God were that impatient, unforgiving, unloving, and exacting in lethal punishment for every sin...I would have been crashed and burned ages ago.
What you have, thankfully, is a convicting heart, which makes you know that you did wrong and does not let it slide or allow you to shrug it off.
My mother used to say I wore a sign across my face that flashed, "Guilty Guilty Guilty" when I was growing up. And I would feel so awful and agonize so over every mistep, that my mother told me years later, "Your father & I really did not like to discipline you for your screw-ups because you beat yourself up!"
God loves you kiddo. Just tell Him what you did, tell Him you are sorry, ask for His forgiveness, and if possible repair/correct the damage if you can, but know that the instant you honestly and earnestly ask Jesus to forgive you, He does, and your sin is cast as far as the east from the west, to be remembered by God no more...EVER. So just try to not make the same mistake again....Learn from your mistakes.
2007-06-04 19:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by faith 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you Christians happy, look what your beliefs did, the poor guy wont even get on a plain for a vacation because he fears your God so much, lol, im happy im atheist,
Seriously though, dont worry about things like that, im atheist, and believe me according to the bible, i already have done the most evil Sin ever, and some how im still walking, talking, and other stuff, and god hasnt done nothing, so relax go on our vacation you paranoid freak (just Joking)
2007-06-04 19:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If your question and resulting conundrum are serious, it's a fine example of what can happen to an otherwise sane person after being indoctrinated & brainwashed with nonsense...the Catholic church being particularly adept in this regard.
Fly without fear, friend...but I'd suggest avoiding seeing the film 'Final Destination' prior to boarding.
2007-06-04 19:25:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can understand your embarrassment. To think that God would crash a plane with other people on it because your "Bargain" with her didn't work out. How bout not bargaining with god and having the sense not to do whatever it is you thought you could negotiate with. I don't believe in god, but with such a goofy question i can understand the embarrassment.
2007-06-04 19:03:56 · answer #6 · answered by Edko 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First of all, you can't bargain with God. You're sure you were "given" the strength and that you didn't already possess it? dIf God held everyone that made such promises to their word, the world would be far less populated.
2007-06-04 19:05:43 · answer #7 · answered by Always Curious 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pray again and believe that you have received. All things are done according to our faith and belief.
2007-06-04 19:16:19 · answer #8 · answered by PabloSolutin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
who knows who God wll have mercy upon
when you make a vow doesn't that mean anything to you. keep it.
2007-06-04 19:10:24 · answer #9 · answered by Styme the Brave 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whoa, Just calm down. God isn't out to get you.
2007-06-04 19:02:18 · answer #10 · answered by Jayclark 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋