“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
King James Version (KJV)
Rose's comment on 2020-05-08 18:45:48:
I hope you are doing ok Richard. God bless.
Rose's comment on 2020-05-08 18:43:04:
As someone who suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and for 5 years suffered from Agoraphobia, I want to say that anyone, like Richard who may suffer from these disorders, are NOT what Jesus was referring to in the parable of the 4 seeds.
Someone with anxiety disorder does not lack faith, but is entirely reliant on God even to do small things, that other people find insignificant, ie, answering the phone. Life becomes a cross to carry, that is unique, but is entirely centered on God, and is a sacrifice that is able to be offered to God.
Richard you did not choose your anxiety, but God will help you through it.
The anxiety Jesus was referring to, was anxiety about worldly things, ie what will I wear, eat, drink, how much money can I make, I need friends in high places, etc. These are necessities, and God promises to provide these things, so we do not need to worry about it.
Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that can be totally unrelated to things of this world. And just because someone is not healed or cured, doesnt show a lack of faith. Otherwise would be say all Christian's who died from cancer lacked faith? Or what about those with type 1 diabetes, should we tell them to stop taking insulin, and if they dont then they lack faith?
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
"Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong."
Ace's comment on 2014-11-24 11:43:50:
Richard I 'm sorry you feel this way. I 'd just like to send a word of encouragement your way. In Acts 10 34, Peter tells us that God is no respecter of persons. It means that He sees us as individuals, regardless of our family ties. You cannot be held accountable for the sins of your father, no matter how evil he is, nor could you be saved by him if he were the most righteous man on earth. In this scripture, the seed is the word of God, and the soil is your heart. Your seed cannot fall among thorns unless YOU place it there. If you humble yourself before God, he will bless your heart with understanding and heal you as mentioned in vs. 15. Psalm 37 25 says, "I have been young and now am old yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. " Be blessed, Brother.
Richard's comment on 2011-03-17 09:56:53:
I am the seed the fell among the thorns, thus eleminating my element of CHOICE ! No one benifits from my mental illness and emotional poverty unless God finds it entertaining. There is nothing I have not said to God to convey my hatred towards him after years of trying diligently to humble myself and follow him, lossing what was left of my sanity in the process. The stupid farmer dropped me among the thorns I did not put myself there and If I am held accountable for the sins of my Earthly father who happens to be a sex offender then it really does not matter what I do or dont do. I will never back down to God. But i will stand up to him in the name of the sick, the weak, the poor and those oppressed by his sick game. Amen !