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A friend from my childhood is having lots of struggles with one of their children and his wife is having a very difficult time with testimony and activity, etc. It's a long complicated story, but apparently the wife is having a very difficult time and is not currently a "faithful" member of the church. i take that to mean that she is denying the truthfulness of the church and questioning what she believes. She has also had a severe falling out with one of their children who he told me she says is "a complete disappointment" among other things, and she is refusing to acknowledge that the child is hers (the child is a middle school aged boy). the child has alot of emotional issues, but apparently isn't doing drugs or anything, and from what i can tell is just rebellious and alot temperamental.
I was talking with the husband about the situation, and he told me that "god is punishing" his wife. I asked him how and he said to me that she is being punished by a lack of any blessings, including the spirit.
I have always operated under the belief that God is there for us during difficult times, even times of spiritual crisis, and while he may not be blessing us, he isn't punishing us - that's why we believe that the Savior suffered and died for us, so we can gain forgiveness.
This discussion raised several questions in my mind... Is this man right, could God be punishing his wife in the flesh for sinful behavior? Does God do that? When I sin and I feel completely horrible for several days and I suffer, am I at that point in time being punished and therefore paying for my own sins?
Can a man or priesthood leader really be able to determine that God is actually punishing someone else - even if he is actually a righteous man, could he receive that kind of inspiration or revelation that shows him the intent of God and what God is doing to his wife?
Any thoughts or insight?
I was talking with the husband about the situation, and he told me that "god is punishing" his wife. I asked him how and he said to me that she is being punished by a lack of any blessings, including the spirit.
I have always operated under the belief that God is there for us during difficult times, even times of spiritual crisis, and while he may not be blessing us, he isn't punishing us - that's why we believe that the Savior suffered and died for us, so we can gain forgiveness.
This discussion raised several questions in my mind... Is this man right, could God be punishing his wife in the flesh for sinful behavior? Does God do that? When I sin and I feel completely horrible for several days and I suffer, am I at that point in time being punished and therefore paying for my own sins?
Can a man or priesthood leader really be able to determine that God is actually punishing someone else - even if he is actually a righteous man, could he receive that kind of inspiration or revelation that shows him the intent of God and what God is doing to his wife?
Any thoughts or insight?
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