war and suffering

[Lady Arianrod]

Recently, I've watched several movies that stressed the harshness of reality and the true suffering that some people must go through....

In particular, Grave of the Fireflies.

Even though I know that bad things must happen in the world, I often find that I have trouble dealing with tragedy. This movie is only an anime (and one that I love, actually), but it has a paradoxical effect on me.

Despite valuing my own life and trying to live in the moment, I sometimes feel myself slipping into this cycle of despair and sadness. Even though it's not common, I feel that I am too much of an idealist to deal with such strong portrayals of reality.

Simply avoiding this movie won't take away my deep-seated sadness over the condition of the world... I just need prayer for the healing of my mind so that I may enjoy life again and see the beauty of God's world.

Maybe my personality simply made me inherently sensitive to such a movie, but I really do want to be able to live and still accept reality at the same time. Pray that I am able to accept change and suffering as something that I can't always affect.

Thank you.

[agasfas]

I will pray for you. I remember watching "Grave of the Fireflies" for the first time. It was so sad, I had to actually hold back my tears (b/c I haven't cried since 4th grade). It makes you take in to consideration the value of human life. God will help you cope with change, just keep praying, I will too.

[Jaltus-bot]

I will pray that God would help you to have the strength to deal with those things and be encouraged by Him when it gets to you. Don't ever just try to be insensitive to the things that would break God's heart. We should not try to love less like He does or harden our hearts but live our lives motivated by the love that God puts in each of us.

I'll pray that inspite of this God will keep you from getting to down and that you will see the joys and the opportunities that there are. Where things are darkest, light shines most brightly. Whatever bad happens in the world, where people are willing to let God work God can make something good come of it.

I've always been something of an idealist myself. Maybe that is why I have always wanted to change the world, you know make the world a better place for people, take away some of the pain and suffering. It's not possible for one person to do that in everyway or in one way everywhere. Making a difference in something right where I am or where God would have me go is possible by really trying to follow His will for my life and to show love for others as He has shown for me.

Would it make you happy to do something to change the way things are? God puts in each of us a desire to do what he would have us do, not like a desire to go to the mall with friends one weekend, but something deeper and more satisying. Maybe the way you react to things like those movies is a clue about what God would have you do. If this is, I would suggest of praying abou that as well, but also at least right around you looking for what you can do where God can work through you. This might be activities like an information event, or even just living your life in a way where a lloving and Godly attitude is going to affect those around you. Spiritually we may not be of this world, but in a physical sense we are all part of it. We are all interconnected around the world and what we do affects others. Our lives are like ripples in water from a pebble dropped in it. The effects may seem to fade as they spread out, but because it is all the same world they still amplify or cancel out those of others. If we let God guide the ripples we make in our own spot of water, they may amplify those of others reaching farther and farther out, person by person to change even the farthest places.

[Lady Arianrod]

Thank you for your prayers and helpful support. I think that I'll take your advice and pray, seeking God's purpose for me. Recently, I've been focused far too much on the world.... I've been slowly falling away from God's true plan for me.

Maybe by trying to do small things, including showing love to people, I can change my own corner of the world.

Thanks again, everyone... Your words were inspiring and just what God needed me to hear.

=)

[Anna Mae]

I know how you feel, Lady Arianrod. I get very sad when I focus on the world too much also. You'll be in my prayers!

[Lady Arianrod]

I know how you feel, Lady Arianrod. I get very sad when I focus on the world too much also. You'll be in my prayers!

Thank you. I'll pray that you won't get the same feeling again about the world.

[termyt]

If you don't mind my saying so, you don't need healing. Bad things do happen in this world and I am very happy that that makes you sad. What I think you need to realize, if you'll indulge my psycho-analysis for a moment, is that sadness can be a positive experience. Let it fuel how you treat others and how you demand to be treated. Evil will continue to exist for some time here, but I've read the back of the book and it turns out that God really does win; sickness, war, and all of the depravity of man will melt away leaving only our joy in our Lord.

And I will hasten to add that there are plenty of great things in this world as well. Our Father would not desert us to some awful, depressing hole. There is beauty and goodness all around us. Make sure you spot it in the face of the next stranger who holds the door for you or smiles and says "hello" as you pass him on the street.

[Lady Arianrod]

[quote="termyt"]If you don't mind my saying so, you don't need healing. Bad things do happen in this world and I am very happy that that makes you sad. What I think you need to realize, if you'll indulge my psycho-analysis for a moment, is that sadness can be a positive experience. Let it fuel how you treat others and how you demand to be treated. Evil will continue to exist for some time here, but I've read the back of the book and it turns out that God really does win]


I agree. Thanks for your advice... I think that the reality of the world does help us (me included) to appreciate our lives and to act how God wants us to act.

I just have trouble dealing with reality at times... It's something that troubles me, but I often do get closer to God in sad/depressing times...

[Mave]

I agree with everyone's comments here so far. When I'm feeling down with the world around us, I remember the following:

1) Delayed judgment: God will come and deal with the wickedness of this world when it's the right time.

2) Need of a Savior: God can make good come out from allowing pain and suffering on earth. I personally think if the world wasn't messed up, we wouldn't understand how much we need a Savior.

Just my two cents. I'll be praying for you that you may find the peace and understanding that only comes from The Holy Spirit. *hugs*

[Anna Mae]

I know how you feel, Lady Arianrod. I get very sad when I focus on the world too much also. You'll be in my prayers!

Thank you. I'll pray that you won't get the same feeling again about the world.

Thanks !

[Anna Mae]

I know how you feel, Lady Arianrod. I get very sad when I focus on the world too much also. You'll be in my prayers!

Thank you. I'll pray that you won't get the same feeling again about the world.

Thanks !