Christian Cynicism?

azdancer8

So I know as a Christian I am supposed to be full of hope, and trusting God that things will work for the best. And I am, and I do. But I struggle a little with it when I look around at the state of our nation.

I work for a small medical practice. The doctors make so little overhead that they don't take paychecks home half the time. Their malpractice insurance still goes up every year, and rising expenses still have to be paid. But with Obamacare, I've read that Medicare won't be paying out as much. Most of our patients are on Medicare. So we will bring in less income and have higher bills to pay. How is a small business supposed to survive?

My brother won't even talk to me because we disagree politically. Seriously?!? I haven't spoken to him in a year and a half - and his reasoning is that he would rather ignore me than engage in a debate. It hurts. Is it just the entitlement of the younger generation? Or are people really that close-minded these days.

People on welfare make more than DH and I do combined. But we feel it is our responsibility to work for our living and to cherish the things that we have and that God has provided. But it still sucks knowing that I can't have a cool new phone or that awesome toy I want whenever I feel like it because we are trying to make ends meet on our own. I guess I shouldn't complain because God has been so generous, and provided us the means to be building a house, but there are days I just wish finances were easier.

I don't know, I feel like I've become more cynical lately, and I don't like it. It just seems like society and our country and world are headed the wrong direction. Sure, I have things here that I love and look forward to, but I long for the day when Jesus comes to take us back home.

Aaaand that turned totally into a ramble. I have no idea if any of it made sense, but I wanted to get it out there. Anyone else feel this internal struggle when you look around?

joe&cassie

It makes perfect sense to me.  FI and I talk about this all the time.  We add child support and custody issues to that list though.  My FI is a wonderful father and a great person and the system royally screwed him.  It seems to us that at least the state we live in favors the mother whether she is a great person or terrible mother and human being.  His ex is the second one.  I totally get where you are coming from.  It's a huge struggle for me.  I am an eduation major and I'll be making the same amount of money when I graduate that some people make with out degrees.  While there is nothing wrong with not having a degree it really irks me that I spend 4 years working my butt off to get a piece of paper that says I can teach and yet someone out there can just graduate high school and make the same amount.  And don't get me started on professional sports players.  hmph.

mattycam

I totally understand. Where I have the most cynicism is when it comes on to children. People who can have kids and treat them so badly and then you have those who cannot and would give that child all the love it deserves. People who want to adopt but can't, unsuccessful fertility treatments, miscarriages, stillbirths, SIDS, sickness etc.

I don't know why this happens. Why parents have to outlive their kids due to all the violence going on in the communities. I understand that this is all from the fall of Adam and Eve and these are the sign of the times before our Lord returns but my heart feels heavy for these issues.

GJones27

I think everyone feels the same about our country's future, no matter whether you are a Dem or Republican. However, I think it is easy to lose faith until you travel abroad and see truly hopeless scenarios. My husband as a foreigner really believes in the US for that reason and he reminds me of that. But I also want to say there is nothing morally or religiously wrong with accepting welfare. I did for nearly a year as I looked for work. Keep up your hard work and professional development.The economy will get better one day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

ochemjenn

My FIL is a doctor.  His practice doesn't accept any new Medicare patients.  Their Medicare patients had all had other insurance when they first came to the practice.  The ObamaCare requirement for electronic medical records is going to cost EACH doctor in the practice $15,000 AFTER tax deductions just to get it set up.  Plus there are yearly licensing fees.  FIL is probably going to retire early because of it.  DH thinks that a decade from now there won't be any private practices left - everyone will work for hospitals. 

sessionswedding

I work for a company that makes, sells, sets up, and supports EMRs.  That $15,000 per doctor?  Paying my salary.

And still I hate ObamaCare.

AZ, I could hug you right now.  We are on the same page politically.

ETA:  By way of elaboration, I work for the "outsourcing" department of the EMR company.  Meaning that, while they sign my paychecks, I technically work for a hospital in the IT department.

azdancer8

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-cynicism?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:09f397e0-74f2-42f8-9aa1-ad23af14774aPost:ac4cbf72-a9c8-4111-9d4e-1e6fa1260d8a">Re: Christian Cynicism?</a>:
[QUOTE]My FIL is a doctor.  His practice doesn't accept any new Medicare patients.  Their Medicare patients had all had other insurance when they first came to the practice.  The ObamaCare requirement for electronic medical records is going to cost EACH doctor in the practice $15,000 AFTER tax deductions just to get it set up.  Plus there are yearly licensing fees.  FIL is probably going to retire early because of it.  <strong>DH thinks that a decade from now there won't be any private practices left - everyone will work for hospitals. </strong>
Posted by ochemjenn[/QUOTE]

Agreed. And I predict there will be a massive shortage in doctors anyways. Some survey I saw said something like 82% of practicing physicians would retire once the new healthcare comes into effect rather than face all the additional financial burden and restrictions.

sessionswedding

I've personally spoken to a few physicians that said they'll just retire.  My mom (a nurse) knows one who already has.

GunzNRoses213

 This is why I dont wacth the news .... . I know whats going on ... but as soon as I know the new story I usually change the chanel ... I cant tolerate the state of the nation / media and all that jazz....

It's in God's hands really ... and we are followers of his kingdom first... Americans second...

iamjoesgurl

I struggle with these things too. I personally know people who have lost their jobs and struggled to find new ones. But I also know people who lost their job and are milking the system for everything its worth, not bothering to even look for a new job. My company offers entry level positions with decent entry level pay and great benefits, but some out of work people I've talked to don't want to apply because they won't enjoy the job. I feel like if I was without work, I'd be willing to sacrifice my ideal job for one that allows me to support my family.

I have a cousin who has made poor choices (I won't elaborate for fear of being pegged as "judgmental") and she has been on welfare her whole adult life. Meanwhile she can afford cigarettes, cable TV, internet, smart phone, etc. Some of these are things I used to think were luxuries but now are viewed as necessities.

 

It's hard to imagine what will happen in our country when there are as many people on disability, Social Security and welfare as there are working. I try to just take things one day at a time and trust God to take care of me. 

Regarding our government, I wish that politicians refused to be wooed by special interest groups and worked for the best interest of the people. For example, if they would work on legislation to create reforms that would allow health care providers to provide affordable healthcare, we wouldn't need Obamacare. 

jenningz

I have an issue with the fact my future IL's have TWO houses, drink and smoke themselves to death and recently just got 2,000 off the government because my MIL is 'mentally ill' - they have money to run a car, two houses, pay for 20 people to go out for dinner, drink, smoke and all sorts and it's all off the government. I pay tax, for her to sit around and do nothing. So I totally understand your struggle, it's frustrating that it seems that doing nothing is more beneficial than going out, working hard and paying your taxes.