In socials 11 I learned about something called “survivors guilt.” It’s a type of depression/can become a psychological disorder in soldiers who survived a war or traumatic event, but who saw their comerades dying at the hands of the enemy. They often feel terribly guilty about surviving when someone else died or was horribly wounded or mutilated. Although I didn't know anything about this disorder as a child, I did feel it. I always felt kind of guilty that I had brothers and sisters to play with, while my friends down the street were essentially shoved in the corner by their siblings, or simply had none. I also remember feeling really sorry for my girlfriend down the street who's mom would rather paint her nails than cook dinner, or my friend down the other way who had hardly any idea that the term, "healthy food" even existed. I remember the little boy a few houses down who's father constantly drank, watched wrestling and got really angry about nothing....and I remember looking at my own living conditions after observing all of this, and thinking, "what the...?"
Several months ago I was chatting with a friend of mine about this topic. We were dicussing the confusion and guilt that so often befell us as children watching others grow up with less - less materially, emotionally, family-wise, etc, and wondering, "how does that happen? Why do I get to have all this, and they don't get to have anything?" And then the still further upset we experienced at being able to seemingly do nothing about it. I still have no answer to the "God, why do some people have lots and some people have little?" question... and I've honestly given up searching for an answer to it...because I think it's just something I'll have to ask God when I get to heaven. I think it's just one of those hard trust things where we have to kind-of go, "alright, Lord, I'm going to just hope you know what you're doing on this one, because I sure have no idea!"
I think the only thing I've managed to conclude is this: If you are blessed with much, you have an automatic responsibility to those who are in need. It's the classic Robin Hood thing... except this time the rich give willingly to the poor. I know someone in Spider Man says, "with great power comes great responsibility.." (it's probably been said before then but I didn't hear those guys so I'm not quoting them ;P ). Well, that's absolutely right. If you have the power to help someone, you have the responsibility to.
Also: If you count yourself as a "have-not" as opposed to a "have," just know that God can look after you, as well as many helpful Church bodies out there, all you have to do is ask. I'm not sure why your growing up - or maybe even your current situation - was/is so upsetting and/or terrible, but God does, and he would love to talk to you about it. Well actually, so would I. Let's have coffee or something. :D
Any thoughts on this one? Please find me on FB or Twitter at the addys in the above right collumn or leave a comment below.
Until next time (aka: until my exams and Christmas play are over)
April J
Several months ago I was chatting with a friend of mine about this topic. We were dicussing the confusion and guilt that so often befell us as children watching others grow up with less - less materially, emotionally, family-wise, etc, and wondering, "how does that happen? Why do I get to have all this, and they don't get to have anything?" And then the still further upset we experienced at being able to seemingly do nothing about it. I still have no answer to the "God, why do some people have lots and some people have little?" question... and I've honestly given up searching for an answer to it...because I think it's just something I'll have to ask God when I get to heaven. I think it's just one of those hard trust things where we have to kind-of go, "alright, Lord, I'm going to just hope you know what you're doing on this one, because I sure have no idea!"
I think the only thing I've managed to conclude is this: If you are blessed with much, you have an automatic responsibility to those who are in need. It's the classic Robin Hood thing... except this time the rich give willingly to the poor. I know someone in Spider Man says, "with great power comes great responsibility.." (it's probably been said before then but I didn't hear those guys so I'm not quoting them ;P ). Well, that's absolutely right. If you have the power to help someone, you have the responsibility to.
Also: If you count yourself as a "have-not" as opposed to a "have," just know that God can look after you, as well as many helpful Church bodies out there, all you have to do is ask. I'm not sure why your growing up - or maybe even your current situation - was/is so upsetting and/or terrible, but God does, and he would love to talk to you about it. Well actually, so would I. Let's have coffee or something. :D
Any thoughts on this one? Please find me on FB or Twitter at the addys in the above right collumn or leave a comment below.
Until next time (aka: until my exams and Christmas play are over)
April J
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