My husband is fed up with God. I don’t know how to help him. He’s gone through a lot of hard times and feels like God hasn’t blessed him. He’s still faithful to the covenants that he made in the temple, but he sometimes insults God privately here at home. It hurts me to see him so discouraged and frustrated. I want to help him, but I don’t know how.
Hi sister. I'm sorry to learn your husband is struggling with this. Perhaps you could share this story with him:
Before we began this mortal life, our spirits lived with Heavenly Father. On one occasion, He sat down with us and told us what earth life would be like. "It will be remarkably easy," He said. "It doesn't really matter what choices you make, or what choices those dear to you make, or what circumstances you find yourself in. You'll always be comfortable no matter what. It will be like an 80-year vacation."
Does that story sound true to you, sister? Of course not. That's not what God said at all.
The truth is, God told us that our life here on earth would be very difficult and very uncomfortable. We agreed to come here anyway because we knew that hard times would help us grow spiritually.
If we believe we are "entitled" to happiness, we'll feel cheated when hard things happen to us. On the other hand, if we recognize that God told us--promised us--that we would face challenges in this life, we'll be less prone to blame Him for those challenges. Difficulties help us grow, and God is only keeping His promise when He allows them to happen.
I hope this message helps you and your husband. Let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm happy to help.
Pamela Bonta
2014-04-14 09:37:16
For members of the church, Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer through whom salvation is made possible. (Reflections of Christ)
Unfortunately, Sister, you cannot help him beyond just loving him. He needs to feel the Savior's atonement, and that is not something that you can give him. I would strongly encourage him to speak with your Bishop and arrange for some help through LDS Family Services or other professional help. God bless.
Before we began this mortal life, our spirits lived with Heavenly Father. On one occasion, He sat down with us and told us what earth life would be like. "It will be remarkably easy," He said. "It doesn't really matter what choices you make, or what choices those dear to you make, or what circumstances you find yourself in. You'll always be comfortable no matter what. It will be like an 80-year vacation."
Does that story sound true to you, sister? Of course not. That's not what God said at all.
The truth is, God told us that our life here on earth would be very difficult and very uncomfortable. We agreed to come here anyway because we knew that hard times would help us grow spiritually.
If we believe we are "entitled" to happiness, we'll feel cheated when hard things happen to us. On the other hand, if we recognize that God told us--promised us--that we would face challenges in this life, we'll be less prone to blame Him for those challenges. Difficulties help us grow, and God is only keeping His promise when He allows them to happen.
I hope this message helps you and your husband. Let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm happy to help.