Christians: Do you ever feel really sad because of the bad things in this world?

Question

I myself feel horrible about all the bad things in this world. I feel like crying sometimes just thinking of people who have abortions, or those who cheat on husbands/wives, people that are murdered for various reasons,etc. It just saddens me all the terrible things in the world. I wish I could do even more to make it stop. I know all I can do is pray and stand up for what I believe and be a light by living my life as close to what God would want me to live like as possible.

What are your thoughts on this?

*just so others know, I'm not perfect and do not claim to be and I am not saying I'm any better than anyone else, I just feel horrible that bad things happen. I feel bad that people starve, have to walk barefoot on the street, etc.*

Also wanted to add, that it saddens me when I do things that I would consider wrong too. I just wait for the return of Jesus.

I do more than just pray, but yeah I don't want to get into the details of what I do. I just feel bad about the state of the world. I can't change the entire world. I just meant that I can only do a small part and feel bad that I can't change the entire world since I am not God.

I know you don't have to be a Christian to feel bad, I am happy that there are many people out there who care. I just like the Christian perspective and encourage their answers.

To one of the answers-ers: sorry, but abortion is one of the worst instances of murder, since it was an innocent unborn child that never had a chance to live life, but I am talking about all the bad things in general not just that. And I have been crying my eyes out for the murdered unborn lately because I have my own little baby that is such a blessing, I can't imagine if I had done that to him.

Also on abortion...I am stuck in my house most the time to take care of my son. The most I can do is go on the computer to questions and answers sites and give my input so I do. It's hard to see someone who will knowingly kill a child who's heart is beating and who's genetic make-up is already decided from conception.

Georgem...your answer is inspiring, thank you.

Gemini...thank you also. It's so horrible to think their are little children being abused like that. That definitely is so sad. The saddest things that happen are those horrible things that some children have to go through.

That will be something else I keep in my prayers. Come soon Jesus...end this pain forever, bring peace to all.

Summer breeze...thanks for you answer, I really appreciated the verses.

Answer 1

Yes, Dani, Sometimes I feel horribly sad about things I read that happen. I now limit how much of that type of information I take in. I've struggled with depression in the aftermath of much childhood abuse. If I hear too many depraved stories of things people do I get really far down, so down that it gets hard to even pray for the people involved.

It is one thing I don't like about the "shrinking" of the world. For most of time people only heard about the news in their own location. In just about one century we have come to the place where we hear about many things from far far away. It can feel so heavy when I hear about a natural disaster, several horrible murders, genocidal civil wars, political corruption and financial maleficence all in one day!!!

For now, I just try to pray for what comes my way without seeking out further sad, bad details. I personally, can only pray for so much, so I just do what I can and trust God to find someone to pray about other things that I can't.

Dani, It says good things about you that you have compassion on suffering people, even ones you will never meet. You don't even need to defend yourself - it is wrong of anyone to attack you for your statements in your question.

When I am overwhelmed by what I hear, I remind myself of God's mercy, strength, kindness, goodness, all-knowing, all-powerful ways. I just trust Him instead of sinking beneath the load of cruelty/tragedy out there. I also think satan tries to get a flood of evil reported all the time so people will just give up and think things are hopeless. They are not hopeless, ever!

Answer 2

In Ancient Israel God (Habakkuk 1:1-4) heard the outcry of his prophets (Micah 6:6-8). In both cases they were told what God wanted, and it was recorded for an example for us. Being hurt in the heart is a good thing when you are sorrounded by badness, but then to do something to change the world (which is under the rule of Satan) is futile, which is why Christ emphasized preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom, because it is by the Kingdom arrangement that one can be saved. Not individual action, but action within the arrangement created by God through his Christ is the only road to salvation. One of the reasons why Christ said the path leading off into Salvation would be cramped and narrow.

So not all of the so called "Christian" paths are the same. One thing you have to look foris the universal love that unites the Congregation (WORLDWIDE, not just within one building), and a simillar education program because we are far from perfection, but obviously since God has been the same from the beginning he educated Adam daily, and his people regullarly throughout the Bible, and they were always tought in a unified manner (so it should be today in his true following), and as it says in Malachi 3:16-18 the book of rememberance will be written about those calling/speaking upon his name. So it comes to what is God's name? Well depending if you are translating the name into Ancient Hebrew (Yahweh) or German/English (Jehovah) you will often find the information in your Bible's preface or translation notes under the term Tetragrammaton, since this is converted most often to a title such as Lord.

Answer 3

Peace.....While there is a lot of groups and organizations to get involved in (either at a distance or nearby) to combat the unjust happenings in our world, don't think that prayer is "least important" as some may suggest. You are home with your child (thank God) and praying for others can move mountains. You can offer up little daily sacrifices for the conversion of others to improve the condition of sin in the world. As for feeling sad about everything - God knows and sees all that is happening and He also knows you feel sorrow for these things. Your sorrow would please Him and the Blessed Mother very much and they will use your prayers and sufferings to help the state of the world. It may seem there is not much help coming, but there is, and there is a lot more coming sooner than we think! You can also be involved via computer as you are, letters, and telephone - by listening, sharing and praying.....perhaps you could send out or hand out prayer cards for specific causes. Bless you! "orthros"

Answer 4

For me the thing that makes me extremely, extremely sad is the lack of caring about pedophilia. There are children being sexually abused right this very minute, and we're all worried about getting to the mall for our holiday shopping.

Yet the justice system allows these pedophiles so much slack. They get out of jail and just keep abusing, and most people don't seem to care.

There is child pornography that shows...well, I erased what I wrote that it shows because I don't want to upset you even more than you already are. We should all be marching in the streets to protest this!!!

But instead we just go on with our lives, not wanting to think about such things. Myself included.

By the way, people who possess this violent child pornography get very miminal prison sentences. They should be getting at least 25 years, because if it weren't for people like them wanting to buy this stuff, it would not exist!

GRRR.

And you're right, prayer is very important. Keep doing what you're doing. As for people suffering, the only thing that helps me not go completely insane thinking about it all, is knowing that this world is temporary, and one day those people who are being abused, who are starving, etc. will be safe in God's loving arms. This life is like a millisecond compared to what eternity is like.

Answer 5

You're not alone in feeling that way. I just watched "48 Hours" about the young girl who was found murdered in Castro Valley, California, and cried my eyes out for all the innocents of this world.

There will come a day when God will wipe away all tears, and pain and sorrow will be no more. Until that time, anyone with any degree of empathy for others will sometimes feel the way that you do.

God bless you, sweetie. I'm sure He takes note of those who love others as He loves them.

Answer 6

Well, actions speak louder than words in my book. If you could stop being such an emotional basket case and do something to help in whatever way you can maybe you would see the light at the end of the tunnel.

You can be a light by living your life as close to what God would want you to live but faith alone doesn't feed the hungry or put shoes on those who walk barefoot. God works through people. So get busy!

Answer 7

Yes.

It is only natural for humans to have fellow feeling for other humans (or animals) who are suffering. We feel like reaching out to them, just to give them a hug.

Remember, though, that we are made in God's image. The kindness and love we reflect is a TINY percent of how God feels.

Also, you feel so bad about the things you see on the news or in your neighbourhood. There's tons that does not make the headlines. Jehovah sees EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE. He hears every scream, yelp and groan. He feels every tear drop.

And like you, he wants to do something about it too. The good news is that he CAN and WILL!!!

Learn more:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20010515/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/dg/article_02.htm

Answer 8

You don't have to be a Christian to feel bad about the bad things happening on this earth. Everyone who has enough morality and sense of values would feel sad, if not upset at how bad things are getting for the people of this earth. If you want to make a difference and help - you start with one person at a time and in thanks, you tell that person to thank you - he/she has to do something good for another human being. Pay it forward (and backwards) so to speak. There's hope for humanity. Just believe in the goodness of people.

Answer 9

Anyone who cares does! Didnt Christ say to keep your eye on the prize, that there would be wars and rumors of wars that they would have a form of spitituality, they would be lovers of themselves. We cant change the world it is going away. Christ will return we can do what we can now,greatest commandment love one another,second go out and make disciples throughout the world. As for me I say come Jesus,come.

Answer 10

what can you say to a father and his child standing over the grave of his wife? what can you say to all of the lives lost in vain? what can you say to all the misery, poverty, violence, heartbreak, bitterness and hatred that flows from this troubled sea of people?

this is NOT God's final plan!
it isn't over yet, hold fast to what is good, the kingdom of God is at hand. death is not annihilation for all... and there is still time to do good works. and we should do them until the day we look up and see the return of the Master.