Do you...

[shep]

Praise God for the good times???

It seems when bad things happen, there is always a 'Where is God?' message...But when everything is going great does everyone say 'Thank You' for my stocks doing well or 'Thank You' for the roof over my head or for the job I have...

It seems like people only question God for disasters...
God is around all the time, he likes to be praised & prayed to....

We have a issue right now with my MIL & cancer, I still praise him for the time we have left. My MIL has smoked most of her life and now it has finally caught up with her, she started her chemo treatments yesterday and although the outlook doesn't look good, I don't blame God, sometimes things happen because of choices that people make..

 

[dizneenut]

Yes, I do. Probably not as much as I should, but I do praise & thank God for the blessings I have.

 

[Saffron]

Yes, I praise him all the time! A beautiful sunset, a newborn puppy, a near miss in an automoblie accident, the roof over my head, the time I have with my mother, the love of a good man etc.

With that being said, I can understand why people question and feel hurt when they see others hurting and suffering, especially those close to them. I can also understand questioning and feeling hurt about unspeakable crimes against children, violence in the world, starvation, etc.

Along with praising God, questioning and wondering about things make us all human.

 

[damom2daboyz]

Most definitely because without him I am nothing. Not a thing I have here on this earth is of my doing.

If I don't listen to him and try to do things my way...I seem to get in big trouble. But even when I screw up I still thank him for all.


Debbie

 

[LemonDietCoke]

Yes, I thank the Lord for the good times.

 

[aahmom1]

With that being said, I can understand why people question and feel hurt when they see others hurting and suffering, especially those close to them. I can also understand questioning and feeling hurt about unspeakable crimes against children, violence in the world, starvation, etc.

I believe this is the biggest reason people question God. It's a little different for your MIL to have cancer and a child to be hurt. Of course you can blame your MIL because she smoked her whole life, what did an innocent child do to deserve some of the things I've seen/heard? I can completely see why people choose to question rather than follow blindly along, it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[nkjzmom]

I just taught a lesson on gratitude to the children at church Sunday. I encouraged them to have a least one prayer a week to include only things that they were grateful for, both in their lives and in others lives around them.

Try it....you'll be surprised. It sometimes starts out slow but it works and I've noticed that I start feeling more positive about things in my life (good and bad) after I've done this often.

 

[olena]

I do.....constantly. I'm always thanking God for my blessings.....

 

[Steve H.]

I say...

"Thank God!"
"Oh God!!"
"Oh my God!!!"

and lots of other variations -- whether they're for good times or bad, I guess that's kind of between me and God, eh?

 

[JC2]

Great post and an encouraging reminder to me, Shep! Thank you!

 

[Buckalew]

nkjzmom,
I remember a few years back, watching Oprah and she suggested that one keep a "grateful journal". I started doing that, writing down (I believe it was 5) things each day I was thankful for. It always made me stop at the end of the day and reflect upon the day and who I had talked to, seen or what I had experienced. It was very easy to do and I learned a lot from a very simple easy to do activity. Then, I'd incorporate those 5 things into my pray time because I knew who to thank.

This makes me think of the question I often ask myself. When life is at a tough spot on the journey, I have no trouble going to God and seeking Him. When life is good, I sometimes have to remember to say thank you to Him. But the hardest for me is to praise Him during those difficult times. During the passed 2 years while DH was trying to figure out his career choices and was out of work for about 6 months, I had to remind myself that we are to praise Him during those types of times. I did that though and looked for the lessons along the way. I wouldn't want to go through it again, but I learned a lot about myself , my DH, our marriage and about the faith that I have in this great God that I serve. I wouldn't trade that life lesson for anything.

Having a sick child or losing a child would be a whole other ballgame for me. I know where I'd find my strength but that would have to be the worst thing I can imagine ever facing. It is easy to talk about praising God through good and bad but actually applying it in some cases would be very difficult.

 

[EROS]

Shep, I've posted on this topic a number of times and will defer my usual commentary for now .

About your MIL............sorry to hear that she isn't doing well.

However, I go BALLISTIC when the sick and dying are somehow "blamed" by the righteous amongst us for having "caused" their illnesses. Sure, smoking is a big risk factor in lung cancer, but SO WHAT?????????? Your MIL is sick and merits love and support REGARDLESS of her past smoking.

I feel the same way in addressing the illnesses of alcoholics, diabetics, the obese, etc.

TRUE HUMANITY would dictate that these poor folks don't need to be further hurt by the fact we hold them responsible for their illnesses. I'm NEVER judgmental in the care of the sick. They deserve MUCH BETTER than righteous indignation from the healthy ................

 

[binny]

YES!

We do here. I think its human nature to cry out when they are in trouble. Then we forget that we need to be thankful for the help we receive. What is it Oprah says " an attitude of Gratitude" ?

Thats what we strive for here!

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

OH YES!!! Grateful for every day that comes, grateful that I have a man who loves me, a job, food on my table, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. There are far too many of God's children who can't say that. I am also grateful to know that when ever something happens that I am tempted to question WHY, or WHY ME? God will provide the answer. Nothing happens without a reason and I am a better person for all the trials and tribulations that have occurred in my life thus far.

Thanks, Shep. We all need reminding now and then.
Beth

 

[Beauty]

Yes I do, I am grateful for everyday that God grants me to spend with my family. I am grateful for everything in my life. God is my best friend and I often find myself thanking him and often apologizing to him.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes

 

[Lynn CC]

Yes, I thank God all the time for the good things in my life. This includes many things but I have become more grateful for Health of my family over the years.

I have to agree with Shep on this one. My heart goes out more to people who are Stricken with a terminal illness, or get killed in an accident.....than it does for someone who has lived a lifetime abusing themselves, whether it be through drugs, smoking, seriously overeating etc. That's not to say they are less of a great person, but my heart truly aches for those who have lived as best they can all to die way too young.

I remind my CCD kids each year to be greatful for the good things in their lives and thank God for them. I also remind them about that in today's society it is easy to stray.

 

[tedsmom]

My prayers are with you and your family as you begin this difficult journey.

I often wonder if people would make different life choices if they knew in advance what the end result would be.

 

[EROS]

Originally posted by Lynn CC

I have to agree with Shep on this one. My heart goes out more to people who are Stricken with a terminal illness, or get killed in an accident.....than it does for someone who has lived a lifetime abusing themselves,

Lynn, you're entitled to your opinion, but I would STRONGLY disagree. I've been practicing medicine for 20 years. The VAST MAJORITY of people whom I treat for terrible illnesses did NOTHING in their lifetimes to deserve such suffering. However, they are no more "deserving" of my dedication or effort than those who have abused their bodies and families for years. I would NEVER tolerate your type of value judgments in my students.............

 

[caitycaity]

a serious question:

"My heart goes out more to people who are Stricken with a terminal illness, or get killed in an accident.....than it does for someone who has lived a lifetime abusing themselves, whether it be through drugs, smoking, seriously overeating etc. That's not to say they are less of a great person, but my heart truly aches for those who have lived as best they can all to die way too young."

assuming that people who live good, moral lives go to heaven, why would your heart ache more for the person who died and was good and moral? shouldn't people be happy b/c they are in heaven?