Why Does.....

[Gabriel]

Jehovah wait to answer our cry for help before he acts? Many times...(I speak only for myself) I've noticed that when I cry out to father for help, Im usually left unaided and I end up falling or backstepping which is really an emotional bomb shell. I try really hard to keep possitive and to pick up the pieces, But the next time im faced with other issues or....perhaps even the same issue. My faith isnt really strengthend because of what i precieved to be "A NO Show" by father.


I know that there has to be something that im over looking within me which is the reason why he keeps destance or keeps quite. Not trying to turn this thing into a cofession session, but you guys are the only spiritual family that i have and my only well of support. So What im asking is.....can you guys offer any encouragement with keeping possitive dispite failings and short commings? When things go wrong....It just takes the breath right out of ya. I feel Like I've ran into a brick wall going 100mph! Feel totaly poverized. However i do have resentment and frustration toward God because in the back of my mind im thinking......"Why did you leave me hangin man!" Then im alawys reminded that there is no injustice with Jehovah. So the finger goes right back to me (No surprise there) Anyway.....I just feel really down. If it doesnt bother your conscience I would really appreciate some pick me up. Thanks guys

[watchman]

I think it has to do with baby steps, Bob.

You know, Jesus frequently referred to his disciples as "young children," even though he may well have been younger then some of them, physically, , ... because that's what we are...all of us -- children.

From Father's point of view we are, each and everyone of us, diaper-waddling infants. And as such, Father does not rush to grab us every time we totter and fall. But... but... he does pick us up after we go splat! -- provided we take his extended hand.

That's how it works. Faith my brother...faith!

Jehovah is real. He is the kindest, most tender-hearted person in existence.

Watchman[/i]

[Jeshurun]

Hi Gabriel

The first thing that comes to my mind is that you recognize your shortcomings and are feeling guilty about them. That's a very good thing.

It's important to keep in mind that Jehovah does not always answer our prayers in ways that we would prefer, or even expect of him. Jehovah is a wise parent, and he knows that whatever we endure strengthens us. So the answer may be coming for you down the road, in ways that you might not expect. Rest assured though, that if you are doing your utmost to do his will, he will answer you eventually, usually in a most profound way.

From my own experience I can tell you that sometimes you can toil for years and years in complete despair and confusion, not realizing the grand purpose in what is happening to you. You will only see this once you come full circle, and then the amazing wisdom of God becomes abundantly apparent. At Ecclesiastes 11:6 we read:

6 In the morning sow your seed and until the evening do not let your hand rest; for you are not knowing where this will have success, either here or there, or whether both of them will alike be good.

Even Jesus experienced moments of doubt and despair as you are presently feeling, even at one point, right before death, crying out to his father: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" On an earlier occasion, distraught at the idea of dying as an apparent blasphemer, asked Jehovah: "Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me." Did Jehovah do that? No! He allowed his Son to be strengthened by sending an angel to his aid! (Luke 22:42,43)

Consider 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, which says:

7 However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not that out of ourselves. 8 We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; 9 we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed.

Jesus taught us that by endurance on our parts we would acquire our souls. Jehovah knows best when to allow us to "seemingly" go it alone, although we are never alone with Jehovah as our Father. He has every hair on our heads numbered and truly loves us. At James 5:11 we read:

11 Look! We pronounce happy those who have endured. YOU have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.

You have so much to be thankful for, Gabriel. Jehovah has allowed you to have rare insight in this world of darkness. And the reason for this is that you searched for it.

Love to you brother, hope this helps a little.

Lou

[Nambo]

I know and experience exactly what you do Gabriel, but have also experienced Jehovah answering prayer instantly such as when I asked where my fleshly father was, whom I hadnt seen since I was 18 months old, and I got his current adress the very next morning.

So I think of the experience of Job.

THink about how your experience with Jehovah would be if he answered all your prayers?
Only yesterday in my frustration, I was asking Jehovah to please stop the leak I was getting from what turned out to be a split O-ring when I was installing my shower and waters gushing everywhere, I apologised afterwards but still think he put in my mind to turn off the water, look at the new fittings carefully, and see the fault for myself.

But imagine if he had just cured the leak?, in the end you might consider Jehovah as some sort of Genie in a bottle that can answer your every request and whim, how then would you view your heavenly Father?, as your servant?, how would Jehovah view you?, how would Satan view your reasons for being a Christian?

And maybe even this Satanic world is blocking how Jehovah can help us?, look at how Gabriel was heald back for two weeks when trying to reach, was it Daniel?

If you knew Jehovah wouldnt answer a single prayer of yours and didnt even really like you much, would you still want Jehovahs kingdom to come?, for all suffering of innocent people and animals and things to end?, for everybody to learn Love?, Iam sure you still would be on Jehovahs side so you would have proved your Christianity for unselfish motives and then Jehovah will shower you with Love, blessings and an answer to all your prayers.

[James]

Hi Gabriel,

Just to add to the excellent comments already given, we ALL have times of despair and lonliness and it weighs heavier when it seems we are reaching out to Jehovah and get no answer. In these times we have to live in, especially now, where the attitude is "I want it and I want it now", patience to 'wait on Jehohvah' is hard to do.

Having been both a child and now a parent with a daughter, let's try to look from the Parent(Jehovah) viewpoint. He knows we will always be children, no matter how long we live or how much knowledge we gain. We will always 'look up' to Him for answers and as a parent He knows when to answer. The article below is from the watchtower 12/15 2002
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Access to the “Hearer of Prayer”

14 Have you ever noticed that as humans gain power and authority, they often become less accessible to those under them? What, though, about Jehovah God? Is he too far removed to be interested in the expressions made to him by mere humans? On the contrary! The gift of prayer is yet another blessing that Jehovah bestows upon those who are close to him. Being granted free access to the “Hearer of prayer” is a truly remarkable privilege. (Psalm 65:2) Why?

15 To illustrate: The chief executive of a large corporation has many responsibilities. He decides which matters he will handle personally and which he will delegate to others. Similarly, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe has the option to determine which matters he will involve himself in and which he will delegate. Consider all that Jehovah has delegated to his beloved Son, Jesus. The Son has been given “authority to do judging.” (John 5:27) The angels have been “made subject to him.” (1 Peter 3:22) Jehovah’s powerful holy spirit has been put at Jesus’ disposal to help him to lead his disciples on earth. (John 15:26; 16:7) Jesus could therefore say: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Yet, when it comes to our prayers, Jehovah has chosen to involve himself personally. That is why the Bible directs us to address our prayers only to Jehovah, doing so in the name of Jesus.—Psalm 69:13; John 14:6, 13.

16 Does Jehovah really listen to our prayers? If he were indifferent or unconcerned, he would never urge us to “persevere in prayer” or to throw our burdens and anxieties on him. (Romans 12:12; Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7) Faithful servants in Bible times had complete confidence that Jehovah listens to prayer. (1 John 5:14) Thus, the psalmist David stated: “[Jehovah] hears my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) We too have every reason to be confident that Jehovah is close, ready to hear our every thought and care.


Hope this helps,
James
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[Gabriel]

Thank all of you for your words of incouragement and reminders regarding our loving father Jehovah. All we can do when we reach these low points is to shake the dust off and keep on going. I do care about my failers and how it effects my relationship with him. Thats why it bothers me so much when I feel as though he&#39;s not helping but merely being a by stander. Sometimes I just wonder if he would&#39;ve only giving me just "a little" help it would&#39;ve gone a long way. I want to live a holy life. But thats impossable without the holy spirit. and I just wonder how much longer, how many more times am I gonna have to set beside my bed on bended knees begging for a clean heart, "A new spirit"?? I cant give up because we&#39;re so close to finnishing this thing. But man, sometimes I could really use a good dose of holy spirit just to give me a the break that I need. Like i said thank all of you for your love and support. Right now we only have each other hu? and I charish that so much because days are comming that we will no longer have this site. I value all of you more than what you know. We really are a family here.

[billy]

Hi Gabriel

I have felt the same way many times

where i thought i was going to get help and support - it never came

but i realize now that my expectations were programed by the wts literature

the darkest period of my life came with the support of my fleshly community and not my spiritual community - this dissappointment depressed me even further - now i look back at the situation with different perspective and see that Jehovah supported me in a way i didnt expect

i am gratfull and am more open to see that Jehovah supports us from places we dont expect - sometimes we dont realize it at the time

the other thing i have learned - when i dont seem to get what i need - it turns out to be a blessing later on

i used to think i had to be in a relationship with a man to feel i could survive - for years i pursued this course in and out of the serving Jehovah - when i decided to return to Jehovah and give it one more shot - to do it His way - i realized that my craving for what i perceived as "love" - was something I already had inside of me and am learning i dont need to look outside of myself to be a whole person

the help i received in overcoming this was mainly from books on psychology - and adjusting the information within Jehovah&#39;s boundries

sometimes i go to the library and a certain book will stand out to me - when i start to read it - i am amazed how the information is fitting in with something that i needed to learn at that time - i feel Jehovah&#39;s spirit has guided me in ways i didnt expect