trusting a new direction…
I’ve had several conversations with people lately about changing the way they think, and respond, and act in certain situations. The idea of changing the way we do things is scary. Especially if we’ve been doing them “our way” for as long as we can remember. Things we decided a long time ago, unintentionally, that now we are starting to discover aren’t good for us. Things we decided in fear. Things we decided in anger, or in hurt.
Flaring up when someone challenges us. Retreating when a situation gets difficult. Attacking when feeling attacked. Hiding when feeling afraid. None of us intentionally decided to start these trends. And there are a ton of reasons to ignore them. Except for the fact that they don’t work, they don’t build relationships. They destroy them.
And it is the easiest thing in the world, to blame someone else. But real men and women own their stuff. No excuses.
Several of you out there are thinking and considering the ardous task of taking on your stuff. Of challenging your lifelong reasoning. I applaud your courage, and I stand right beside you. It will feel like the deepest and most painful death, but it actually leads to life, for those with the courage to press though.
I know what’s it like to let go. It hurts. You think you won’t make it. You think you are going to die. You feel like you are falling to your death. But if you hang on just a bit you begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel. And you wonder if it could all make some sense some day. One day. I promise you, it does. It will. I do promise.
Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
June 14, 2011 at 8:11 pm
On my way home from work tonight I was thinking about various conversations I heard in and outside of Sunday School. They were about feeling/knowing God’s love and presence, going to the Bible in difficult times, getting into His word for quiet times, opening the Bible and hearing from God, etc. It made me start thinking I’m not much of a good Christian if I can’t even open the Bible and try and have a quiet time with it much less believe some of it. Even the young adults know how to use their Bible. I began thinking, “What’s wrong with me?” Then I remembered the Summer project mentioned at last week’s class. Maybe that’s what I need….to try and challenge myself to a Summer project. A project that will help me get passed my mental road block. I need something to help me change….so I will stop feeling so different then everybody else.
June 14, 2011 at 8:29 pm
I think the summer project might be a great idea… but just between you and me, you’re not different from everyone else… that’s a part of the lie as far as I am concerned. Good luck (God bless you) with your summer project idea!
June 15, 2011 at 7:39 am
You mean there’s more people like me who feel they’re living a lie even a double life so to speak. If I don’t know God’s there, if I don’t read the Bible, if I don’t know the Bible as truth, then why do I even go to church? Why do I serve on any ministries and go to any life groups? I feel like I’m being such a hypocrite looking the part but I can’t talk the talk or even walk the walk. It’s almost as if I’m not even sure I know what I do believe in any more the more I thought about it last night. This might be too much of a challenge to find a Summer project to help me….
June 15, 2011 at 11:59 am
I go back to one of my favorite sayings… “If you’re not completely confused, then you don’t truly understand the situation.”
June 15, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I know my Bible pretty well, and guess what? I still feel those feelings sometimes. It’s really uncommon not to, but people just don’t have the courage to admit it. Sometimes you just can’t trust in how you feel. You have to trust that what you know and maybe only believe in your head for the moment is true. Good luck with…No, make that may God bless your summer project whatever you choose.
June 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
So “grateful to God” to see you are in such a great dialog about all of your questions and thoughts. Keep it up and know you are in the exact place you should be…neither too early nor too late for God’s revelations for you. God’s perfect timing and nothing else!
June 4, 2011 at 10:15 pm
My life has taken a drastic change these past few months. Because of this change, I’m not as self confident and comfortable in social settings. I tend to withdraw and hide out of fear. That’s safe for me. No chance of getting hurt. Roger’s right….you hide, you withdraw, you don’t take a chance…….you also don’t build relationships. A couple days ago a good friend told me some of these truths about myself that were hard to hear and really hurt. Sometimes you need a good friend to walk beside you and lift you up when you have fallen. We all need friends. We all need those relationships in order to get through the mucky muck of every day life. I’m going to work on it. These last few days have been good days…lots of smiles and laughter. I sure have missed smiling!
June 5, 2011 at 6:10 am
…so good to be going through these things together. Thanks for being brave and for sharing…
June 3, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Amen!
June 3, 2011 at 2:56 pm
So grateful for the ability to begin this journey of change and the grace, mercy and love that is necessary in this process. I understand without the help of other intentional friends I would still be in hiding. In my own strength I can do nothing. My best of intentions are fruitless. But with the focus of others by my side and God’s best for me there is progress. In this case I do not mind being under the watchful eye of those who really do love me. I welcome their feedback. They challenge me to find my best and reach out for it.
And God is being faithful to show me a bit more of my sin. That really does breath life into my bones. His plans for us are amazing. So will we prioritize and can we make that connection? With our heavenly Father and those He has put into our lives? What does REAL life look like? Do you have a glimpse yet? I believe Roger does. And I believe I am seeing a glimpse for myself. God is good. May I never forget it.