In Reply to: Re: my skeptical opinion posted by susie on August 17, 2004 at 22:38:01:
What I actually believe is this: If life has meaning, it is because I choose to give it meaning. Whatever purpose I have for living, it is a purpose I have chosen for myself out of a desire for self preservation. I do not believe God has a purpose for my life and that it's my job as a believer to seek out and be obedient to whatever that divine purpose might be. I also don't believe everything happens for a reason. I think most (if not all) events are completely random and meaningless until I give them meaning and order them toward a purpose I have chosen.
As long as my life remains relatively enjoyable, the less I feel the need to construct its meaning meaning & purpose around considerations like faith in a higher power. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and that is enough. However, the more physical & emotional pain I experience, the more I look for a reason to keep hanging on. If the medications don't work and the mental and physical pain becomes too intense, I run the risk of being overwhelmed by hopelessness & despair.
In order to hang onto hope, I don't need to decide that my life has any meaning or purpose beyond enduring the immediacy of unwanted pain and ill health. Nevertheless, choosing to believe there is meaning in loving and being loved helps me find hope hang onto life when the utter meaninglessness of suffering slaps me in the face.