Can't See God Correctly

Well this is humiliating but I've had to give up homosexuality. I was gay for fifteen years. Also had to give up my career dreams BC I felt God saying no on them. Its really quite embarrassing about the gay thing BC no one is going to understand how much it hurts to let go after you've been through it.

There is an old song we use to sing.One line went "He gave me beauty for ashes". Its hard to let go of old ways,old things.We're like children,we think what we have in our hand is best.But God sees into the future. Yes,its hard to let go but in the end God has our ultimate best in mind.When we pine for the past we're not understanding what God is trying to work in us. The Jews learned this the hard way.They wanted to go back to Egypt,where they were slaves.To them that was better than being in the desert eating manna. They were willing to go back into bondage and lose their freedom because it was safe,it was comfortable and familiar in Egypt. Thats the way we are,we were comfortable in our old life,we're not sure we can trust God to take us in a new direction. We all face issues in trusting God. But if you push forward,if hold on you will be able to say "He gave me beauty for ashes".

[video=youtube;EsWaFBq8cm0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWaFBq8cm0[/video] I hope this song melts your heart like it did mine.

He gave me beauty for ashes ....I hope that happens!

The thing is,He's doing it now,you just can't see it yet. Don't let the devil fool you into thinking things were better in slavery. Stick around,there are people here that have faced what you have.They are a testimony that God can deliver and heal us from our past.

You DO know that Jesus was harsh sometimes, right? He yelled, got mad, called people names, and brandished a whip in front of the money changers in the temple..

And who did he do that to? Religious leaders abusing their lower and people defining the temple.
When he met the woman at the well did he yell and act harsh?
When they brought an adulterous woman to him ready to stone her was it not Jesus that gave her mercy?
There's a difference between using righteous anger on those that deserve it and trashing people seeking help. Don't twist scripture to justify your mistreatment of others.
Most people Jesus came in contact with he was not harsh with.

Thank you, glad someone said something.

Truthfully, many have told her, but she keeps at it, so we usually ignore anymore.

Can't See God Correctly

And who did he do that to? Religious leaders abusing their lower and people defining the temple.
When he met the woman at the well did he yell and act harsh?
When they brought an adulterous woman to him ready to stone her was it not Jesus that gave her mercy?
There's a difference between using righteous anger on those that deserve it and trashing people seeking help. Don't twist scripture to justify your mistreatment of others.
Most people Jesus came in contact with he was not harsh with.

Truthfully, many have told her, but she keeps at it, so we usually ignore anymore.

J,
Been thinking about you and I remember something now. I remember being you.

Think about it. We spent X number of years of our life thinking we were who we were. And then poof -- we're born again. No longer that person, but someone new. First birth has to be easier, because we had nothing to compare it with. Or, at the very least, we weren't that baby in the womb all that long, so it wasn't ingrained in us.

We were used to who we were. Maybe not all that happy with ourselves, but at least we knew who we were. And then this big change. Birth -- about the biggest change there is in life.

And we can no longer rely on who we were. And who we were is an affront to who we are now. So, yeah, lots of things get tossed out the window. But, what replaces all that? We have a vague idea, but nothing concrete yet, and we know we're no longer the interior decorator. (The Lord is.) All in all, life gets messy during the sweep out. We're discombobulated because we now know we're no longer in charge, but we're still new with the one who is in charge.

Picture spring cleaning to the messiest of rooms. Along with the mess, the furniture gets moved about too. We're swimming in the mess as it's being tossed to the side, but ultimately, the room will look so much better.

Yes! When you first come to the Lord, life gets messier. You lose friends, you lose your old purpose, you lose all your old comforts. You might even lose family. (Or, they just look at you funny for a while.) You have to readjust to the fact you aren't merely in control of your life, but you never were. This is what you're going through.

It gets better than this. I'm not saying nothing bad will ever happen again, because looking back at my life, a whole lot of bad happened again. BUT, you get to know the Interior Decorator better, and he becomes a friend, family, mentor, teacher, comfort, and comfort giver. He already is that, but you're just going through the befuddlement stage, when you see your old life melting away.

We felt secure in our old life. At least we thought we were, only to find out we never were. But it was familiar, so it really is a loss. And then we face our true security and the one who really will make it all better -- not merely in heaven, but as we live on earth too.

I remember being you. I remember confused and befuddled. I more remember it got far better than I could imagine. And it was worth the trip, because the Lord is worth everything. No. Seriously not easy. Worth it though.

I really don't know how to say it, but I'll try. I've been born again for two years, its been the hardest two years ever. I've read a lot of my Bible, pray, I even tell God my frustrations, even though I'm embarrassed by them. truth is, I'm not feeling it. after reading tons of stuff, I'm so weary of hearing that dying to self is a good thing, we can't have our dreams come true, etc. God has made me give up a large number of things, how can I not be upset? when I think about leaving this faith behind, I think to myself: I can't. He would punish me, even take my life if he had to, I'm stuck. so that's how I feel lately, and a lot..stuck with Him, not feeling good about it. I'm tired of christian cliches, and guilt trips,cookie cutter nonsense, phrases like..its not about you, your a horrible sinner, etc. these things don't help people feel better about themselves. I try to notice everything he does, I'm thankful for little things. I just feel helpless. I'm trying to write out my feelings more, but this will take time. I've prayed often for Him to give me a better perception of him, for months now, and he never has. I don't know why I'm putting myself out to be beaten up, but I'll try anyway. What can you do if you feel flatline? if when you read his promises, there's nothing there? you live a miserable existence, a trial that's extended an entire year, and no breaks in between? its hard to look at God and not be upset.
If my views can't get better I'll be in a bad place.