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Having Faith vs. Demanding

July 18th, 2007 by Lou

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I had a friend yesterday question about the difference between having faith and being demanding. By no means am I an expert. This is only my interpretation on the matter.

This person gave the scenario of her preemie child maybe dying at birth or shortly after. She had so much faith that she told everyone that she would not die. Receiving much criticism, she started feeling like maybe she was demanding God that her child would not die.

To me having faith means that if something happens then you pull through the situation saying it is God’s will. You have a sense of closure. If you are demanding God to give you a certain outcome, then you have no closure whatsoever. You become angry at God.

My experience was with the death of my mother and father. With my Mom, I was so awful to God. I blamed him for everything. He gave my mom the horrible disease of cancer and was killing her. I actually told him that if he killed her than he has lost a child. How stupid is this? I actually felt this way. It took years (literally) before I could forgive God for killing my Mom. With my Dad, it was a totally different story. I had faith that God was doing what he needed when he gave cancer to my Dad. I never felt hatred toward God. I felt God with me through the whole situation. I had a sense of peace. Don’t get me wrong, I miss my Dad just as much as my Mom but I had closure. I picture him up there cracking jokes with Jesus.

By having faith does not mean that you are demanding God to do something.

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3 Responses

Jeff writes:
July 18th, 200710:20 amat

This is profoundly encouraging. Thanks for sharing this. It is an incredible post and reflects a perspective that I hope I can have in the midst of life’s struggles.

Thanks, Lou!
Misty writes:
July 18th, 200711:49 amat

The only way I can describe the faith vs. demanding is by saying it is peace with whatever the outcome is knowing that God is in control. The verse that this reminds me of is Phillipians 4:7, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It’s all about the attitude of your heart. I’m not saying it’s easy and that I have or will always do this, but it’s something I stive for daily!
Brandy writes:
July 18th, 20073:27 pmat

i think of daniel and his famous phrase before being thrown into the lion’s den. he believed god would save him. he had that deep faith in his god. but he said, “and if not….” i think you’re right. a lot of faith has to do with how you will view god when the “and if not” happens.

by the way, i know i haven’t commented in awhile, but that lopsided plant had me rolling! hilarious! and kaylee is growing way too fast.