Hi I am in my early 40's and thought by now I would be married with kids and have a great career but I am single and have a job that is going no where. I have done things in the past to change my situation. I graduated from college in 2015 and have been looking for a job with one of the local oil refineries but have had no luck getting job yet. Years ago I started using online dating web sites but I am still single. Do you think God is punishing me or could there be some other reason my situation has not turned out better ?
Is God punishing me
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No, I don't think that God is punishing you. Let's see, you have a job and you have recently graduated from college and without the tremendous responsibility of having to provide for a wife and kids. Things are not all that bad really. As for online dating sites, well this is not a dating site but several members have met their spouse here including myself. You just never know who you're going to meet. Glad to have you join us. Welcome to CC.
B
What is better in your mind, a better job, a better house, a better relationship? But in the end there is no end to better and better.
Better is an illusion, because what can't be better "Perfection" and you'll never reach that while here on this earth. It is better to just enjoy the simple things you have, rather than fight day in and day out for the better things.
Better is an illusion, because what can't be better "Perfection" and you'll never reach that while here on this earth. It is better to just enjoy the simple things you have, rather than fight day in and day out for the better things.
I do not believe God is punishing you,and things happen,which some are not abiding in the truth,so trouble can happen there,hypocrisy,so trouble can happen there,and even people that do abide in the truth might have trouble,and God said having food,and clothing,be content.
Some people have the wrong picture of how they think their life should be when they live for God,thinking that everything is going to be great,but God said,Paul must suffer many things for the Gospel,and the Son through suffering learned obedience.
Having food,and clothing,be content,and God only blesses with our needs in moderation,and said some people pray amiss,for they pray for the wants,for a lot of people believe that they are supposed to have so much,and their life is supposed to be a certain way,and then say it is because God is punishing me.
But God is not punishing anybody.
Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
The Jews thought,what up with this,for here we are following God,but our lives are not so great,for we have trouble financially,and people go against us,but the wicked are set up,they prosper,they have no trouble,so why is our life troublesome when we follow God,and God said,hold on there,your words are stout against Me,sure you may have trouble,but do you not know what is going to happen in the future,when I gather my people,for then you will know who was truly blessed.
Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Psa 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
Psa 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Some people that live for God think in this world that it will be like a rose garden,prosperous,no problemo,no financial crisis,the finest of homes,a woman like no other,children well behaved,and everything is good,but it may not always be the case,and it is not God that is punishing,or hindering,or thwarting,someone,but things happen.
God is not punishing you or anybody else,for why would God be punishing you,but then you have a wicked person that heaps money to himself in a ludicrous fashion,cares nothing about the needy and poor,is a boozehound,and playboy,dealing in financial shadiness,and cocaine use,and does not believe in God,or Christ,having a good wive,children that are not half bad,but he is prospering like the dickens,and appears there is no punishment towards him.Would not God be punishing him if God punishes those He deems not doing right before Him,but God rains on the just and the unjust,and the wicked have their reward,whatever they can get from this world,for they will proceed no farther.
Does not make sense that people may think God is punishing me when simple things do not work out in their life,for no wife is no big deal,not having children is no big deal,not having the 50th anniversary of monopoly is no big deal,not having the idea job is no big deal,not being able to get a hit in that baseball game is no big deal,having food,and clothing,be content.
We are not in the garden of Eden,and it is a wicked person's world,with all the fixings,and they prosper and whoop it up,while the saints may appear to suffer and lack,and they say why is it so,but the Bible says the saints appear poor to the world.
God is not punishing anybody,for why would think God would be punishing them for the little things they want,when without those things they are still alright.
Having food,and clothing,be content.
Some people have the wrong picture of how they think their life should be when they live for God,thinking that everything is going to be great,but God said,Paul must suffer many things for the Gospel,and the Son through suffering learned obedience.
Having food,and clothing,be content,and God only blesses with our needs in moderation,and said some people pray amiss,for they pray for the wants,for a lot of people believe that they are supposed to have so much,and their life is supposed to be a certain way,and then say it is because God is punishing me.
But God is not punishing anybody.
Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
The Jews thought,what up with this,for here we are following God,but our lives are not so great,for we have trouble financially,and people go against us,but the wicked are set up,they prosper,they have no trouble,so why is our life troublesome when we follow God,and God said,hold on there,your words are stout against Me,sure you may have trouble,but do you not know what is going to happen in the future,when I gather my people,for then you will know who was truly blessed.
Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Psa 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
Psa 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Some people that live for God think in this world that it will be like a rose garden,prosperous,no problemo,no financial crisis,the finest of homes,a woman like no other,children well behaved,and everything is good,but it may not always be the case,and it is not God that is punishing,or hindering,or thwarting,someone,but things happen.
God is not punishing you or anybody else,for why would God be punishing you,but then you have a wicked person that heaps money to himself in a ludicrous fashion,cares nothing about the needy and poor,is a boozehound,and playboy,dealing in financial shadiness,and cocaine use,and does not believe in God,or Christ,having a good wive,children that are not half bad,but he is prospering like the dickens,and appears there is no punishment towards him.Would not God be punishing him if God punishes those He deems not doing right before Him,but God rains on the just and the unjust,and the wicked have their reward,whatever they can get from this world,for they will proceed no farther.
Does not make sense that people may think God is punishing me when simple things do not work out in their life,for no wife is no big deal,not having children is no big deal,not having the 50th anniversary of monopoly is no big deal,not having the idea job is no big deal,not being able to get a hit in that baseball game is no big deal,having food,and clothing,be content.
We are not in the garden of Eden,and it is a wicked person's world,with all the fixings,and they prosper and whoop it up,while the saints may appear to suffer and lack,and they say why is it so,but the Bible says the saints appear poor to the world.
God is not punishing anybody,for why would think God would be punishing them for the little things they want,when without those things they are still alright.
Having food,and clothing,be content.
S
First, welcome! Second, this problem has become common in this day and age. So, it is not a burden that you alone are carrying, especially within the Church.
Now, what we see is not what God sees in his redemptive plan on our lives. He employs hardships to work out holiness and conformity to Christ in us, and a lot of the time it is in ways that are not fun. The equity of his words in Isaiah 55:8 speak to us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."
"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). So, your trouble is his goodness working through you spiritually that you may not completely grasp while being pulled by the flood.
Now, what we see is not what God sees in his redemptive plan on our lives. He employs hardships to work out holiness and conformity to Christ in us, and a lot of the time it is in ways that are not fun. The equity of his words in Isaiah 55:8 speak to us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."
"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). So, your trouble is his goodness working through you spiritually that you may not completely grasp while being pulled by the flood.
S
Hello! Maxmac97 
Welcome to CC
I agree with the above comments, I guess enough to give u answers regarding your question Let me add a little bit
I learnt at a very young age to take care for my family. Providing everything for my siblings needs(Education,food,clothes ) In other words I put my own dreams to one side...They graduated and here I am...
I am 39,I am still working but without a penny of savings no kids and facing the possibility that I may never have any You know,women's fertility is different from men and different when we were in our 20's. It declines
So,God is punishing me? I am sure He is not punishing me! My experiences mold me in the person God wants me to be... I don't really understand don't truly understand HIS ways but HIS love is my guiding light.
What is next? I don't know... But I haven't lost my hopes yet. I am here breathing that's enough I will simply live and enjoy every experience...There are still great days and very very bad days that will come my way but you know what?that is life... Single or not.
God bless you!
Welcome to CC I agree with the above comments, I guess enough to give u answers regarding your question
Let me add a little bit I learnt at a very young age to take care for my family. Providing everything for my siblings needs(Education,food,clothes ) In other words I put my own dreams to one side...They graduated and here I am...
I am 39,I am still working but without a penny of savings
no kids and facing the possibility that I may never have any You know,women's fertility is different from men and different when we were in our 20's. It declines So,God is punishing me? I am sure He is not punishing me! My experiences mold me in the person God wants me to be...
I don't really understand don't truly understand HIS ways but HIS love is my guiding light. What is next? I don't know... But I haven't lost my hopes yet. I am here breathing that's enough
I will simply live and enjoy every experience...There are still great days and very very bad days that will come my way but you know what?that is life... Single or not.God bless you!
I do not want to become rich I would just like to leave my low paying retail job and find a job that will allow me to make a decent living. My friends and family are all married with kids and have the jobs they wanted. I put a lot of time and effort into improving my life and I feel like my hard work doesn't pay off. Doesn't the bible say God helps those who help themselves?
As I have grown older there have been days that I feel that I have missed the boat too but it's the things that happen in our past and how we handle them, hopefully with God's help that define us who we are today. God does indeed help those that help themselves. Don't give up yet as there is still a lot of game left to play.
I know many people who have those very same questions, and the Biblical answer is no, God is not punishing you. God took the punishment for our sin, remember? So He has something else in store for your life right now, and it is not to make you miserable.
The Bible is full of examples of what He wants us to be doing with the time we have here on earth. Pray unceasingly, love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would have them do to you, love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your being, lean not on our own understanding but in all things acknowlegee Him, trust in His unfailing love, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, witness to the lost, use your gifts and talents and do not bury them, obey God, trust God, without faith it's impossible to please Him, walk humbly, be honest, be trustworthy, put God first, use your spiritual gifts to reach others, and the list could go on and on and on and on.
The only way I can respond to your situation is to ask if you are doing these things to the best of your ability. God's ways are above our ways. Now we know know in part but later we will know in full.
God is a jealous God and wants all of you. When we put God first, and become completely consumed with being in His presence, all these other worries of this world seem to fade, because we find we are so in love with God.
Maybe you can begin a new jurney that does not cause you to be consumed with what you don't have, and work with what you do have. He has given you everthing you need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. We just need to get our focus on the right things.
God is paying attention to you way more than you are able to comprehend right now. Cast all your cares on Him because he cares for you. Go to Him in prayer everyday, perhaps on your knees in a posture of surrender, and listen to what he speaks into your heart. He said His sheep know His voice. God will keep in peace him whose mind is steadfast on Him.
The Bible is full of examples of what He wants us to be doing with the time we have here on earth. Pray unceasingly, love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would have them do to you, love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your being, lean not on our own understanding but in all things acknowlegee Him, trust in His unfailing love, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, witness to the lost, use your gifts and talents and do not bury them, obey God, trust God, without faith it's impossible to please Him, walk humbly, be honest, be trustworthy, put God first, use your spiritual gifts to reach others, and the list could go on and on and on and on.
The only way I can respond to your situation is to ask if you are doing these things to the best of your ability. God's ways are above our ways. Now we know know in part but later we will know in full.
God is a jealous God and wants all of you. When we put God first, and become completely consumed with being in His presence, all these other worries of this world seem to fade, because we find we are so in love with God.
Maybe you can begin a new jurney that does not cause you to be consumed with what you don't have, and work with what you do have. He has given you everthing you need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. We just need to get our focus on the right things.
God is paying attention to you way more than you are able to comprehend right now. Cast all your cares on Him because he cares for you. Go to Him in prayer everyday, perhaps on your knees in a posture of surrender, and listen to what he speaks into your heart. He said His sheep know His voice. God will keep in peace him whose mind is steadfast on Him.
G
Hi! Wow. Not at all. He never will. He might however chastise us, if he feels we are going too close to the "edge". But He is not like us humans where we feel the need to punish or "get back" at someone.
I am slightly younger than you, also single too. When I was younger, of course I thought I would have it all figured out by now and have a "normal" life according to society's standards.
But always remember, God has something better/different in store. He does things in HIS way, in HIS time, NOT ours
Be patient. With your job situation, don't give up. You will knock on a hundred doors, and only at number 99, will it open. Until then, don't give up. At number 50 you may feel down or disappointed, but persevere. At that point in time, you need to rise up the most - at your weakest and most difficult! He will give you strength and courage!
As for love, it will happen when your not looking. In the meantime, take care of your body and mind, so when it does happen you're ready.
You have been helping yourself by getting an education and you have been trying. He knows and can see this. He will give you what you need/want as long as you keep trying.
God has a plan for everyone. And everyone's path is not the same. Have faith.
I am slightly younger than you, also single too. When I was younger, of course I thought I would have it all figured out by now and have a "normal" life according to society's standards.
But always remember, God has something better/different in store. He does things in HIS way, in HIS time, NOT ours
Be patient. With your job situation, don't give up. You will knock on a hundred doors, and only at number 99, will it open. Until then, don't give up. At number 50 you may feel down or disappointed, but persevere. At that point in time, you need to rise up the most - at your weakest and most difficult! He will give you strength and courage!
As for love, it will happen when your not looking. In the meantime, take care of your body and mind, so when it does happen you're ready.
You have been helping yourself by getting an education and you have been trying. He knows and can see this. He will give you what you need/want as long as you keep trying.
God has a plan for everyone. And everyone's path is not the same.
Have faith.
W
Are you serious?!
Are you expecting God to just hand you everything on a platter?
You say your job is going nowhere ... OK, but is it a bad job? Are you harassed at work? Paid less than others doing the same thing you do? Are you risking your life and health in your job? If no, stop whining.
There are thousands (actually, probably millions) of people out there in smilar situations, and it's not God's fault
Are you expecting God to just hand you everything on a platter?
You say your job is going nowhere ... OK, but is it a bad job? Are you harassed at work? Paid less than others doing the same thing you do? Are you risking your life and health in your job? If no, stop whining.
There are thousands (actually, probably millions) of people out there in smilar situations, and it's not God's fault
I read the op and couldn't help thinking if he lived the life i have would he be asking this question? even now i have it way harder than this yet all i know to do is praise God and thank him. I hope i'm not being arrogant or anything it's just when i see people complaining about little stuff like that and ask if God is punishing them compared to others who are like me.....
No God is not punishing you and just working in his wisdom and time.
Abraham waited 15 years for a son and then God reiterated his promise, but then Abraham had to wait an additional 10 years before it all came to pass. He even tried to take things into his own hands by having a child through his wife's servant Hagar, which ended in having to send the servant and his son away.
Furthermore, that instead of focusing on why this is happening -- it is better to focus on preparing yourself for what God has for you. Because if you are not prepared chances are it will just get destroyed and broken anyways. It all comes down to trust and faith in God's promises.
Abraham waited 15 years for a son and then God reiterated his promise, but then Abraham had to wait an additional 10 years before it all came to pass. He even tried to take things into his own hands by having a child through his wife's servant Hagar, which ended in having to send the servant and his son away.
Furthermore, that instead of focusing on why this is happening -- it is better to focus on preparing yourself for what God has for you. Because if you are not prepared chances are it will just get destroyed and broken anyways. It all comes down to trust and faith in God's promises.