OraProMe Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 (edited) This sounds so unbelievably lame and my mind wants to put it down to coincidence and chance but it's just strange. I say it sounds so lame because it's two experiences that are so trivial and insignificant that it seems stupid to think God had anything to do with it. I feel like one of those people that see's the BVM in their bowl of cereal. BUT.. A week ago I was having a hard time. This guy I'd been with for a year wanted to start a relationship up again but I said no because I'm trying to remain in a state of grace. Naturally I was very upset by this and was sitting in the chapel at exposition of the blessed sacrament and asked God to send me a sign just so I could be sure I was doing the right thing and not passing up a chance at happiness. So that night I turn the radio on as I prepare to get in the shower and it's some strange song I've never heard and the first words I heard were [i]What does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his soul?[/i] I would have just put that down to a coincidence but a similar thing happened yesterday. After school I went to make a Holy Hour and I started meditating on the doctrine of hell and all of a sudden I felt very afraid of going to hell. I thought that if I truly understood what hell was like I wouldn't even entertain the thought of abandoning my decision to persue a chaste life. I looked at Our Lord on the altar and said [i]give me a taste of what eternity will be like without you[/i]. Then that very night I came down with a horrible fever and started throwing up, I laid in bed for five hours trying to get to sleep and had immense pain in my legs and back. Now I have a throat infection and I got some antibiotics from the doctor for it today. I mean, it seems so stupid and archaic. I'm probably just reading far too much into every day occurences. But I just thought I'd share that........ Edited June 12, 2009 by OraProMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lords sheep Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I can't tell you if it's a coincidence or not. Perhaps no one can. However, the biggest indicator of the action of any grace is that fruit is born of it. Take it to prayer and to your confessor/Spiritual director. And continue praying that the Lord will bring to completion the work in you which he has begun. May God bless you as you continue striving to live the Christian life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scardella Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I don't believe in coincidences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe it's not. The important part is what you take out of it. Even if it is a coincidence, but it still makes you live a better life, then it's from God as surely as a lightning bolt on the road to Damascus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lounge Daddy Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='OraProMe' post='1888925' date='Jun 12 2009, 05:48 AM']This sounds so unbelievably lame and my mind wants to put it down to coincidence and chance but it's just strange. ...[/quote] Personally, I don't think there is such thing as coincidence. But at any rate, things that some chalk up to mere "chance" are meaningful experiences subjectively. So if it means something to you, you should take notice. In a way, I envy you. Every time God tries to get my attention, it's usually something akin to getting hit on the back of the head with a 2x4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiyoung Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 God can use the occurrences in our daily lives to wake us up and make us pay attention. I don't know how much He orchestrates or whatever, but it can't all be coincidences. PS I think eternity without God would probably be worse than what you've described--and antibiotics can't make it go away. I'm sure you realize that, but...just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightofChrist Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 (edited) If the message you heard is directly or indirectly from God, or just chance, the scripture,[i] What does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his soul?[/i] remains true, to you in this case and to us all. I believe it is at least clear you understand what this scripture is saying in relation to your case. This scripture is indeed 'speaking to you' as well as us all. We could gain all the things we want in this life but they are only temporary and if counter to grace greatly risk the damnation of our souls. What is most important is that you know the truth, and that this understanding of truth comes from God. You know the true path which you must walk down, it will be hard and at times be very lonely. But to leave that path would mean the lost of your soul. Edited June 12, 2009 by KnightofChrist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I think when issues are weighing on our minds, we more often notice those kinds of messages popping up in our daily lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='OraProMe' post='1888925' date='Jun 12 2009, 06:48 AM']This sounds so unbelievably lame and my mind wants to put it down to coincidence and chance but it's just strange. I say it sounds so lame because it's two experiences that are so trivial and insignificant that it seems stupid to think God had anything to do with it. I feel like one of those people that see's the BVM in their bowl of cereal. BUT.. A week ago I was having a hard time. This guy I'd been with for a year wanted to start a relationship up again but I said no because I'm trying to remain in a state of grace. Naturally I was very upset by this and was sitting in the chapel at exposition of the blessed sacrament and asked God to send me a sign just so I could be sure I was doing the right thing and not passing up a chance at happiness. So that night I turn the radio on as I prepare to get in the shower and it's some strange song I've never heard and the first words I heard were [i]What does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his soul?[/i] I would have just put that down to a coincidence but a similar thing happened yesterday. After school I went to make a Holy Hour and I started meditating on the doctrine of hell and all of a sudden I felt very afraid of going to hell. I thought that if I truly understood what hell was like I wouldn't even entertain the thought of abandoning my decision to persue a chaste life. I looked at Our Lord on the altar and said [i]give me a taste of what eternity will be like without you[/i]. Then that very night I came down with a horrible fever and started throwing up, I laid in bed for five hours trying to get to sleep and had immense pain in my legs and back. Now I have a throat infection and I got some antibiotics from the doctor for it today. I mean, it seems so stupid and archaic. I'm probably just reading far too much into every day occurences. But I just thought I'd share that........[/quote] Question was, could you pray? I am in a similar situation, and came to the conclusion that this is what Purgatory must feel like, people praying for you, but you unable to pray (me, because I have been so inundated with meds that I can't think straight) Maybe you were experiencing something a little more intense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='OraProMe' post='1888925' date='Jun 12 2009, 05:48 AM']This sounds so unbelievably lame and my mind wants to put it down to coincidence and chance but it's just strange. I say it sounds so lame because it's two experiences that are so trivial and insignificant that it seems stupid to think God had anything to do with it.[/quote] To be honest that's my oppinion in a nut shell. I did want to mention that, while I don't agree with your decisions, I really do respect what you're doing and you in general (mostly in virtue of how you approach your religion). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OraProMe Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='Hassan' post='1889373' date='Jun 12 2009, 09:00 PM']To be honest that's my oppinion in a nut shell. I did want to mention that, while I don't agree with your decisions, I really do respect what you're doing and you in general (mostly in virtue of how you approach your religion).[/quote] Thankyou I didn't think I was approaching my religion any differently to most people here. But thankyou for the input and the compliment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='OraProMe' post='1889497' date='Jun 13 2009, 12:27 AM']Thankyou I didn't think I was approaching my religion any differently to most people here. But thankyou for the input and the compliment [/quote] I wouldn't assume so. However your sacrafice for your beliefs is more obvious, which I respect to a degree. It applies to anyone who does so though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotusTuusMaria Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I don't know, but ... stay chaste. What does it a profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Good question to ask in this situation. Many prayers for you to stay strong! It isn't worth your soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OraProMe Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='TotusTuusMaria' post='1889514' date='Jun 13 2009, 01:45 AM']I don't know, but ... stay chaste. What does it a profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Good question to ask in this situation. Many prayers for you to stay strong! It isn't worth your soul.[/quote] My problem isn't staying strong. My problem is knowing with certainty that the Church is right on the issue. I'm following the magisterium because I love God and want to take up my cross. But I'm not the type of person to just accept something without understanding it. I've been having trouble giving an intellectual assent to the catholic teaching on homosexuality, even though externally I've been following it. That's what I meant when I asked God to re-assure me that what I am doing is the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotusTuusMaria Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 The Church cannot lead us astray. The Bible itself tells us such physical relationships are wrong. Many prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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