With everything I have going wrong in my life right now, I keep thinking that I am being punished by God. I have been questioning my spirituality right now. Not closing off God, but adding a more feminine being-----a natural "Goddess" in a sense---to my soul as well. I've been doing a lot of reading, and thinking, and meditating on the subject.
And then all these bad things happen: late paychecks so mortgage is late, mortgage goes up by $300 making it almost unaffordable to live here, the endometrial hyperplasia and impending biopsy this Friday, my loss of patience and desire to be with the children, and my general unhappiness about life.
Am I being punished by God for even questioning or researching the Goddess? Is the Goddess punishing me for still having God?
How can I turn around all this negativity?
__________________ Missy
Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it.
From my viewpoint, no. I don't believe God punishes, not in that sense. If that were the case, really horrible things would happen to really horrible people, *every* time they did something wrong kwim?
I read a good explanation about God and 9-11 but I can't find the email. However, I remember it saying that God allows us choices. We are allowed to choose between right and wrong. And while we choose right, others don't always do so. Therefore we suffer from their actions. Will they ever be punished? In the *end* yes, but only if they do not repent from their sins. Clear as mud?
Being a Christian is *supposed* to be a humble religion. We as humans are not perfect, ever.. and it's wrong to even think we come close. We should strive to live right, but that is because we love and obey our God and want to please him, not want to BE him kwim? This goes for asking for forgiveness for our sins, asking for help during trying times and praising him for all He has done for us, because we could not do it without him.
So in short, no.. I really don't think you're being punished. =O)
__________________
Soul Mate to Rod, Mama To- Ashtyn, Alliyah, Anna, Amanda and Lil Lexi and baby boo due March 23
The best exercise man can get is stooping to help another rise.
As a Christian, I serve a God of love. I used to be almost fearful of God, until I slowly came to realize that he is NOT "up there" waiting to zap me....but it was a long, slow realization.
I don't feel completely comfortable with "goddess" terminology, but the Bible say that God created us in "his" image--male and female. So if men and women are both is "his" image, than "he" must include both the male and female. Madeleine L'engle uses the hebrew (I think) term "el" because it's a pronoun that is gender neutral. I wish we had one in english other than IT. the word "el", if I am correct, is more than just neutral, but inclusive of both genders.
OK...I am aware that I probably went above and beyond the answer you were seeking...
I think ktashes was right in what she said.
We make choices and others make bad choices and sometimes we have to deal with really weighty consequences, but it's not a "punishment".
I hope that things get better and that you find a way to deal with the increase in your mortgage.
Please please correct me if I am totally off-base here (which would not be the first considering my memory! *lol*)...but aren't you LDS?
If so, I don't think in any way shape or form would your Heavenly Father punish you for honoring your Heavenly Mother alongside him.
If you are not LDS....the above paragraph will probably not make sense and I apologize.
I don't believe in a God who punishes. I know some religions do, but I personally don't. It sure does seem like when "it rains, it pours".....huh?
The Order I am studying under (Order of the White Moon) is focused on the Feminine Divine, so I do feel a connection with the feminine Divine in my own personal path. But I do also see a masculine aspect in the divine too.
If you are searching....keep up with it and you will find your place. I can promise that from my own searchings. If I can do anything for you at all, don't hesitate to ask.
Oh Missy, I'm sorry things suck for you right now.
No, I don't believe God punishes. The closest thing I think He does is allow us to experience consequences of our own choices and actions, but that's not to say that's what's happening to you now. Lots of times we are just the recipient of a lot of crud that's dropped in our laps and we can use those experiences to grow, or to distance ourselves from God.
I know there are plenty of Christians who DO believe that God gives us challenges to deal with so that we can learn and grow from them, and honestly I don't know yet if I believe that or not (it's something I'm still "researching" I guess).
I do know, without a doubt in my heart, that he does not punish us for questioning or doubting. Many of the greatest figures of Christian history (and many highly respected Christian figures still living) have said that their greatest revelations and growth have come out of periods of great doubt, questioning, and/or anger towards God.
Just pray and make sure that whatever happens you are talking about it with God. That way you can be sure that the right answers will come to you--they may not come as quickly as you'd like, but they will come.
I've given this subject a lot of thought and had a number of conversations with my Dad about this after 9-11. I absolutely don't believe that God punishes people in the sense that he makes bad things happen. But I do tend to think that maybe if something is lacking in a relationship with God that He might not intervene to help you when He could. I read this really cool poem/pray that talked about rushing into the day without praying and how things go wrong and when we turn to God to ask why things are going wrong, He says basically "you didn't ask for help." Does this make any sense at all?
__________________
Maryalene
Proud Mama to Madeline, Donny and Max
I have some thoughts, but would rather do it via pm's...No worries if you're not interested, but I didn't want to post my POV publically....if you are interested, JLMK.
I've been thinking about this thread all day--my thoughts on the issue and your situation. Rather than trying to explain how I think, I wanted to simply cut and paste part of Hebrews that kept coming into my mind today. I'm sorry things are not going well for you and I do hope & pray that your biopsy comes out negative. You are in my prayers.
Hebrews 12:4-13 (New American Standard Bible)
A Father's Discipline
4 (10) You have not yet resisted (11) to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
"(12) MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR (13) FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
6
(14) FOR THOSE (15) WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
7 It is for discipline that you endure; (16) God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, (17) of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we (18) respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to (19) the Father of spirits, and (20) live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, (21) so that we may share His holiness.
11 All discipline (22) for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the (23) peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, (24) strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
13 and (25) make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather (26) be healed.
Oh Missy
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