I am in deep despair. I feel God has abandoned my little girl. Nothing ever works out for her, or even for me. I feel God is a fraud, as am I as His minister. I am starting to think Christianity is a lie.

Dear the Humble,

I am sorry to hear that you and your daughter are feeling so bad, and I will pray for you both. But it is important to remember, especially when you’re in your darkest hours, that God does love you very much. I know it may seem otherwise to you now when you are so in need, as it does with all of us when we experience our own times of need. The frustration of having to tread water when we already feel exhausted and are looking for at least a small raft, just to rest a little. Feelings of abandonment or curse, when everything you think of or try fails, and rarely seeming to catch a break. All these things can make us feel distant or separated from our God, and this is a terribly painful experience. We feel alone, and on the outside looking in. Our minds work steady to search for the cause and we wonder what we could have possibly done to be so punished. We blame God for our ills, and we become angry with Him, and you are not the first or the last to do so. We grow angry with Him because we do not understand. But here is truth dear brother, and it is a bitter pill to swallow. God loves with a strong but gentle hand, and though it may not seem like it now, He is always with you.
I don’t know what has happened to you or your daughter for you to feel this way, but I tell you true, God is not punishing you. What He does or does not do is for the good of both of you, even if you are not able to see it now. It may be to stop you and give you time to see why what you choose is damaging for you, or it may be to help you learn something that you may be neglecting to see. There are many reasons why God does what He does, and they are all good, and completely out of pure love for us.
God does not just give a fish to the starving, but rather teaches them to fish so they will not be in need. I suspect such is the case with you dear brother, and now would be a very good time to pray and meditate on the answers you are looking for. Have patience and faith, and try not to despair. Bring your troubles, worries, concerns, and questions to Him, and He will not fail you.
The following is a prayer that has always brought me comfort and peace, and I hope it does the same for you as I pray it for your sake.

Dear God,
I struggle in my life and seek the blessing of your divine mercy and peace. I ask you with heavy heart and troubled mind, to return to me the joy of your presence in my life. Though I know you are always near, I am fearful and lament because I am unable to feel your love during the pain of my trials. Please teach my spirit the meaning of your word so I may find comfort and rest in their truth.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

The Serenity Prayer is explicit in the conditions we pray for; 1."Serenity to accept the things I cannot change." These are those things mankind has adopted as a mindset and have hardened their hearts to. We cannot make any person change, we are powerless to do that. What we can do, is radically accept these things as they are, keeping in mind that acceptance does not mean approval.Letting go of these things is where we will manage to find peace, serenity. Holding onto them causes nothing but stress, anxiety and pain or sorrow...2. Courage to change the things that I can", which only includes those things in your own life, not in anyone else's, that we have power over. It especially means the way that we think, to change our mindset from the way of the world and all its prejudices, judgements, warrings, vanities, and futilities. Everything outside our own way of thinking is beyond our ability to change, we are powerless over people, places and things, even situations.... and 3. "Wisdom to know the difference." This wisdom only comes from our Creator, from His spirit and from the mind of Christ. It is not only found in Christianity, but in every great faith on our planet. If one is of like mind unto the way Christ lived, unto the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, unto the Spirit God has given to dwell in every one of us, then one will be capable of discerning whether this is from God or from mankind. The mind of mankind is also found in all the great faiths and religions of this world, and they are fraught with the doctrines of men that are not true to the Spirit of God or the mind of Christ. We should be mindful that when we cry out for justice, justice is what we get and deserve, not necessarily what we want or, according to our personal perceptions, is righteous. We always get what we deserve. And, in that respect, it might be considered Karmic.
I suggest you read DW's most recent post in Meditations(Spiritual Corner) God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

Greetings to you my brother,

I fear that you have a very common misunderstanding of the nature of Christianity. Many have the view that once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, our lives will always be filled with joy and happiness. Few things could be further from the truth.

Look at the very example of Jesus. In his life, we see how he was misunderstood (even by members of his own family) rejected by many of those who he came to save, betrayed and denied by his closest followers, and ultimately put to death in the most humiliating way a person could experience under Roman law.

Paul the Apostle is another example we need to keep in mind. He too went through great hardships, betrayal and rejection, imprisonment and ultimately execution.

The way of Christianity is a hard way. To follow the road of Christ is to follow a path that puts us at odds with the many of the easy roads that the majority of the people of this world follow. To follow it causes us to put the needs of others over our own wants and desires. To follow it causes us to act in ethical ways that go against the unethical but easier ways many follow to enrich themselves at the expense of others.

Life is not easy. God created a world of joy and beauty, but also one that has many sorrows. This is the natural order of the world. For those of us who have accepted Christ though, we know that we do not go through these hardships alone. That is our comfort, that is our strength. Jesus knows what we go through. He knows, because he too has experienced it firsthand. And he gives us his promise that through all these things, he shares our burden, and walks with us. Like a friend, like a parent, he offers us a shoulder to cry on, an embrace of love to bring us comfort, a promise that we can endure and ultimately overcome every trial and hardship we face, and the sure knowledge that we never face them alone.

Creator God, Father and Mother to us all, source of life and love and all good things, I ask you to be with our brother and his daughter now in their time of trial and need. Comfort them with your presence Lord, and bring them healing of their souls and peace of mind. Help them to feel your presence, and to know that you are always with them, and will never desert them. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus, our risen Savior and redeemer. Amen

In Christ's service,
Padre

Acceptance has not been granted. I am in terrible turmoil. I cry constantly. I need help. I have seen medical doctors they gave me pills. The pills didn't work

How can I go on? I feel the quiet invitation of death on my soul.

Please help me

Dear Rev. Phil Dixon,


As you may already know, (as you must have read this thread before deciding to pick this one to write), you are not alone in your pain. Don’t be fooled into thinking that most are unlike you and can do better with coping just because there are few responses. There are MANY who are as sensitive a soul as you, but some choose to remain silent through their pain. The difference between you and they, is that you are blessed with the courage to speak, and therefore are also blessed to know you have the courage to seek change.
I don’t know what has gone on in your life that could cause you to welcome death, but I know, whatever it is, does not come from God. There is no goodness in the voice that tempts you to those thoughts. It is only the darkness that beacon us to a leap of such despair, as such darkness will seduce with promises of ending our misery. But this seduction is a lie and an illusion. It preys on the weak and the burdened. It pretends to befriend all the while, masks it’s hideous agenda to have you abandon hope, to abandon faith, indeed, to abandon God.
I have already prayed for you dear Brother, but I ask you please, speak with someone now. There are many ministers here who would be most honored to help, myself included. Until you find someone you feel you can trust, and/or comfortable to speak to, please, pray in meditation to our Father, who loves you more than you can ever know. Pray for strength, pray for guidance, bring all your worries and concerns to Him and I tell you true, He will not fail you.
I will keep you in my prayers beloved Brother till you have no need.

May God continue to bless you, keep you courageous, and bring you peace. Amen.

Rev. Campbell.

I would love to help in anyway I can...as many could tell you, I am no stranger to pain and turmoil...I have found my path out, I would love to help you find yours, which may be different. I will say a prayer that God's will be done for you...for His will is not for you to suffer. If you feel need for privacy, please pm me, and I will offer my personal e-mail.

May God hold you,
William