Why The Who Matters

[Heart_Melody]

We r two peas in an overly sensitive pod. We need Him to keep our hearts soft and also help us to toughen our skins so we can guard our softened hearts He has so beautifully given.

Ok, i am off to listen to satisfy.

Cya around sis.

SOOOO TRUE.
I have been so hard all my life - I think it's time to get hurt.

In a book by Lisa Bevere I remember reading "That you cannot receive love and not get hurt sometimes. The question is: Do you rather stay "unbroken" and "unloved" (of course God loves us but people will on accident or on purpose sometimes... Hurt us) or "broken - then restored" and "loved".

It's a daunting question - but it is also true. We need to be like soft boiled eggs - Golden and liquid on the inside and Squishy but firm on the outside YEAH WE BE EGG SISTAHS

 

[Heart_Melody]

Anyways dont be so hard on yourself and enjoy the journey not just the destination.

I just want to thank you so much for taking such time to respond to me - I am still contemplating my answer. I just wanted to let you know how much it is helping me to roll around things in my head and not always going in the same circle. Thanks a lot a lot! You really have a gift for writing. And I will want to read your revelation story before I respond too...

God bless brother!

 

[Heart_Melody]

Tha

That is sad because it shouldn't be rare. It is very normal. I began studying very deeply all things apologetics all because I has questions that shook my faith. Ravi Zacharias just being one of those people I loved listening to. There are answers. Some are easily found while others may be like a puzzle and your only holding one peice. It may take years to fully come to a good picture of what a great answer should be. This is the part that takes faith. You know enough to love and trust God so even while you wait you have faith in what God has already provided but also understanding in the future.



This is a normal psychological defense. It is hard to sometimes face reality. After my car accident, it took years to accept understand the new me. During that time I kept returning to what I knew because it was more comfortable mentally but physically I no longer fit in. So it would only be in a continuous mental struggle until I accepted the new me and everything that meant.

I am confused but I know ultimately this whole experience is going to lead me to who I "TRULY" am. Not the broken, unsaved human version - but God's best version of me. It is a process and letting go of the right things and accepting his best will take time and practice... And work. But I think the process will be really worth it...

I read your testimony. Thanks for sharing your story. Yes - fully in or out. It is incredible how patient and loving God is and how long He waits. He did and does with me too - wooing me over and over and trying to help me. It is just that as soon as things hurt - I close off. Hide and distract myself of the process - "loving God and quoting scripture and throwing myself into church work and stuff - rather then letting him do his thing... But hopefully with the counselors help that will change now.

Dont worry. You are learning a new identity and seeing the beauty will be changing. Many artists in spiritual matters use the beauty of the world or universe to parallel the ideas or beauty of God. That is all we have in comparison until we reach the other side. A artist can capture an image that really connects a verse in scripture or ignites the mind of others to see spiritual truths.

I think you said something about enjoying the process and not worrying so much about the destination. I will try that! I am always so consumed with wanting to be "Finished" to be at the finish line... But I used to believe that life was a path and a journey and I enjoyed life then better - even though my life was much much harder and I was not saved. Thanks for sharing so much wisdom with me today!

View attachment 213755

I saw something spiritual in the image and wrote a paper on what it meant to me. Pain is part of life. Pain is Biblical. Pain can often be part of the refining process. Mine was the consequences of my choices but God worked in it to refine me. Maybe you are called to something else. I once use to draw a lot and was big into art all throughout school until one day I lost my inspiration to keep going. I found my inspiration in writing and helping others. People change and so do hobbies. It is exciting to explore new inspirations. Lately I have gotten back into guitar and now find a intrest in music theory between math, color, and sound.

Hm- I wonder if I could use this image to write a paper too... I am a writer too usually except that lately I've been so... Much like a hamster in a wheel. I felt unable to write until I feel like myself again. And maybe the reason I am not inspired is because I am not being inspired by others much - I just work and then bury myself with numbing distractions.

Anyways dont be so hard on yourself and enjoy the journey not just the destination.

I will try. A miracle happened today again. A Christian counselor who is in partnership with a church i used to attend agreed to start sessions with me over the phone. A year ago I asked my sunday school teacher if he would do that for me because I was moving to Wisconsin and she said "No - that isn't how they work." But when I sent the email today he immediately sent me paper work and made an appointment with me at 10 in the morning. I have been crying all evening - I feel so relieved to have real help. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a long time...

thanks so so much

 

[Nehemiah6]

I struggle with knowing who I really am.

If you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a child of God, an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. You can rest in that fact (1 John 1:12,13)

Sadly knowing and quoting the scriptures that are my "new identity" never seem to really help me.

Your new identity is hidden with Christ and God in Heaven. Believe it. You do not need to quote Scriptures, but in order to know this, study the first epistle of John carefully.

I am still deeply confused - because I am forever trying to please my family - and forever not enough.

It will all depend on whether the rest of your family are believers or not. If they are not believers, you should do your duty to them, but your primary goal should be to please God and Christ.

It confuses me because then I don't know where I should draw inspiration for my creativity from. It's pretty much died with the day I was saved. Everything changed over night and Even though I know I am saved - I love God and Jesus and Holy Spirit and I feel his Presence often - I am still very confused.

If God has given you the gift of creativity, use it for His glory. Whether in drawing, painting, writing, or anything else. God does not want you to abandon creativity, but use it properly for spiritual reasons. Study the building of Solomon's temple which was according to the will of God and involved creativity.

Who am I supposed to be - where do I belong or fit - what is my Purpose for being here. Why now? Why ever?

Your primary goals should be (1) to be a worshiper of God in Spirit and in truth and (2) a faithful witness for Christ (by sharing the Gospel), regardless of what others think. You should find a sound Bible church and fit into it, as well as contribute to its wellbeing by using your spiritual gifts within the church.

But I have to say it is a struggle daily not to want to stop trying.

God does not want His children to be *struggling daily*. The Bible says that we walk by faith, not by sight, which means that by faith you must believe that struggling is not for Christians, since they have the Holy Spirit. But unless you crucify the flesh (the old sin nature) you will keep on struggling.

 

[Heart_Melody]

If you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a child of God, an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. You can rest in that fact (1 John 1:12,13)

Your new identity is hidden with Christ and God in Heaven. Believe it. You do not need to quote Scriptures, but in order to know this, study the first epistle of John carefully.

It will all depend on whether the rest of your family are believers or not. If they are not believers, you should do your duty to them, but your primary goal should be to please God and Christ.

If God has given you the gift of creativity, use it for His glory. Whether in drawing, painting, writing, or anything else. God does not want you to abandon creativity, but use it properly for spiritual reasons. Study the building of Solomon's temple which was according to the will of God and involved creativity.

Your primary goals should be (1) to be a worshiper of God in Spirit and in truth and (2) a faithful witness for Christ (by sharing the Gospel), regardless of what others think. You should find a sound Bible church and fit into it, as well as contribute to its wellbeing by using your spiritual gifts within the church.

God does not want His children to be *struggling daily*. The Bible says that we walk by faith, not by sight, which means that by faith you must believe that struggling is not for Christians, since they have the Holy Spirit. But unless you crucify the flesh (the old sin nature) you will keep on struggling.

Thanks - but like I said - it's those kind of "quicky fixes" like you are suggesting that got me in this mess in the first place. It's this kind of behavior that makes the public despise Christians. Because it is insincere, very shallow and arrogant.

Thanks. Again. Yep my family are mostly all believers. Thanks for checking if I am performing my duties. And yet still that doesn't help does it.

Thank God I am already a believer. Because if you'd try to tell me of Gods love this way brother - I would definitely run from you.
God bless

I wish people who don't have helpful things to say would just keep scrolling to be honest.

 

[Brandnewday]

View attachment 213571

Knowing who we are and why we are here are some of the basic questions mankind has wrestled with since the beginnings of civilization.

To know who we are isnt just a psychological question but more in my opinion a teleological one.

By mere morality alone and the evidence for it we automatically know we are set apart in the animal kingdom. By design we are many things including designers, warriors, nurturers, sociological, learners, thinkers, survivors. But why all these things in less something was bigger than life itself. As Solomon would say, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

Concepts are always the same. The same human heart conditions is always the reason for human intervention. Good vs evil is why we do anything. Why do we invent? To have better technology can be used for defense or offense, to heal, to repair, to produce a more productive society. The disasters in the world of weather, disease, and complications of older age sparks us to survive and rise against it. Seekers of justice clash against the causes of injustice. Always looking for answers to solve the problems in the world. The same heart problems from the beginning. Pride, Anger, jealousy, lust, gluttony, greed, etc.

But ultimately we wasn't designed this way but sin left us in perpetual Earthly battle between good and evil. Our inner most being mimics the creator. How we design, how we love, how we want justice, how we worship, how we are designed to be knowledgeable, our sense of something more than this life, our very soul mimics the image of God.

Everyone is created in this spiritual image.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

In knowing who you are, starts with knowing what you are. What we are is deeply connected to the soul. The soul is how we become eternally connected or disconnected to God. This automatically tells us we are infinite beings in a finite creation.

Now comes the difficult question. Who you are matters to whom you belong to.

1 John 3:10
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

Are you a child of God or a child of the devil? Who do you spend the most time with? Who do you listen to more often? Do you love the world more than God? The creation more than the Creator? The devil is the ruler of the world.

1 John 5:19 (NIV)
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Two Kingdoms at battle. Two Spiritual forces that have affect on your spiritual soul.

But wait. Who was we in the beginning before sin, before the fall? We was created in His spiritual image. We are naturally drawn to God. In nature we cant help but feel amazed at concepts we still do not understand, we see universal laws at affect by seeing the effects of these laws. Self evident in the world around us and within us. Giving us the logical conclusion in order to have laws we need a lawmaker. We answer to these laws physically, mentally and spiritually. Throughout history we are equally creating laws in pursuit of what is just.

In many ways God's creation points back to Him. Without God, the question to who we are is meaningless as life is just a vapor. Let us be who God has designed us to be. His children, in His likeness we strive to become until we are eternally home, no longer bound by sin, decay, or death. Biologically God's fingerprints within the genome is obvious in our DNA. If we are honest we know who truly we belong to.

Great bit of writing there brother.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Tha


I am confused but I know ultimately this whole experience is going to lead me to who I "TRULY" am. Not the broken, unsaved human version - but God's best version of me. It is a process and letting go of the right things and accepting his best will take time and practice... And work. But I think the process will be really worth it...

I read your testimony. Thanks for sharing your story. Yes - fully in or out. It is incredible how patient and loving God is and how long He waits. He did and does with me too - wooing me over and over and trying to help me. It is just that as soon as things hurt - I close off. Hide and distract myself of the process - "loving God and quoting scripture and throwing myself into church work and stuff - rather then letting him do his thing... But hopefully with the counselors help that will change now.



I think you said something about enjoying the process and not worrying so much about the destination. I will try that! I am always so consumed with wanting to be "Finished" to be at the finish line... But I used to believe that life was a path and a journey and I enjoyed life then better - even though my life was much much harder and I was not saved. Thanks for sharing so much wisdom with me today!






Hm- I wonder if I could use this image to write a paper too... I am a writer too usually except that lately I've been so... Much like a hamster in a wheel. I felt unable to write until I feel like myself again. And maybe the reason I am not inspired is because I am not being inspired by others much - I just work and then bury myself with numbing distractions.




I will try. A miracle happened today again. A Christian counselor who is in partnership with a church i used to attend agreed to start sessions with me over the phone. A year ago I asked my sunday school teacher if he would do that for me because I was moving to Wisconsin and she said "No - that isn't how they work." But when I sent the email today he immediately sent me paper work and made an appointment with me at 10 in the morning. I have been crying all evening - I feel so relieved to have real help. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a long time...

thanks so so much

It is a process and letting go of the right things and accepting his best will take time and practice... And work. But I think the process will be really worth it...

It is definitely a journey.

Mountains are both journey and destination. They summon us to climb their slopes, explore their canyons, and attempt their summits. The summit, despite months of preparation and toil, is never guaranteed though tastes of sweet nectar when reached. If my only goal as a teacher and mountaineer is the summit, I risk cruel failure if I do not reach the highest apex. Instead, if I accept the mountain’s invitation to journey and create meaning in each step, success is manifest in every moment.​

TA Loeffler- is a celebrated educator, adventurer, nature advocate, author, and professional keynote speaker.

Finding the meaning in each step allows you to enjoy each and every moment along the way. Of course the destination will be grand but loving the moments makes life wonderful. Constant guilt and shame is something within the tactics of Satan. He wants to keep you there and restrict or distract you from progress.

It is just that as soon as things hurt - I close off. Hide and distract myself of the process - "loving God and quoting scripture and throwing myself into church work and stuff - rather then letting him do his thing... But hopefully with the counselors help that will change now.

Hurt and pain is tricky. We often times do are overwhelmed and in these moments you do need people around you to uplift you, encourage you, love you, and guide you gently back to the right path.

Hm- I wonder if I could use this image to write a paper too... I am a writer too usually except that lately I've been so... Much like a hamster in a wheel. I felt unable to write until I feel like myself again. And maybe the reason I am not inspired is because I am not being inspired by others much - I just work and then bury myself with numbing distractions.

That is usually how I get inspired. I look at the world and think deeply about the places, pictures, objects, people, or beliefs in the world. I find the amazing stories of the past to inspire me, the poets of times when the world was devastatingly different, the art of of those who silently had a world changing belief to share throughout the brush strokes of their brush. Or how the concept of music directly affects our soul. But ultimately the more I learn of God, the more inspiring things become as the parallels between the creation glorifies the creator.

Write the paper and describe in your mind what the image is telling you. It will probably be completely different than what I saw but equally just as good.

I feel so relieved to have real help. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a long time...

thanks so so much

God works in mysterious ways. Thank you God. I hope they can prepare you enough to know who you are in Christ and encourage you enough to be yourself and the many blessings that God can bring through the uniqueness of your character.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Great bit of writing there brother.

Not much when your inspired to write it.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Thanks - but like I said - it's those kind of "quicky fixes" like you are suggesting that got me in this mess in the first place. It's this kind of behavior that makes the public despise Christians. Because it is insincere, very shallow and arrogant.

Thanks. Again. Yep my family are mostly all believers. Thanks for checking if I am performing my duties. And yet still that doesn't help does it.

Thank God I am already a believer. Because if you'd try to tell me of Gods love this way brother - I would definitely run from you.
God bless

I wish people who don't have helpful things to say would just keep scrolling to be honest.

Frankly I am rather shocked at this negative and derogatory response from you. Which also tells me how sincere you are about addressing your issues. "Insincere", "shallow", "arrogant" are attacks against someone who tried to help you. So you won't be getting any more help from me.

 

[Heart_Melody]

Frankly I am rather shocked at this negative and derogatory response from you. Which also tells me how sincere you are about addressing your issues. "Insincere", "shallow", "arrogant" are attacks against someone who tried to help you. So you won't be getting any more help from me.

That was not my proudest moment. I am very sorry about what I said.
I have no idea how I miss-read the message. All I can say is that it sounded to me like my aunt. Perhaps because I was just through writing something about our relationship on this paperwork.
For some reason (And after carefully re-reading it shouldn't have) it sounded like "You just need to read the scriptures. And do this and do that." Any time I was sorrowful or in pain my aunt's response is "You should not have these feelings if you are a Christian."
The day I stepped away from ministry because of some terrible family things were just taking it's toll too much - all she said was "If you aren't in ministry start paying rent, now." then stopped talking to me for an entire month.

I am sorry. And I can't say it any other way. After re-reading your email, and being in such a better frame of mind - I saw the kindness in it. And I appreciate your response and I can't really accurately put in words how stupid my response was.
There was a lot of grace in your words.

I just hope you haven't placed me on "ignore" and will get this. Blessings

 

[Brandnewday]

Not much when your inspired to write it.

I do know what that means. Thanks.

 

[Brandnewday]

Thanks - but like I said - it's those kind of "quicky fixes" like you are suggesting that got me in this mess in the first place. It's this kind of behavior that makes the public despise Christians. Because it is insincere, very shallow and arrogant.

Thanks. Again. Yep my family are mostly all believers. Thanks for checking if I am performing my duties. And yet still that doesn't help does it.

Thank God I am already a believer. Because if you'd try to tell me of Gods love this way brother - I would definitely run from you.
God bless

I wish people who don't have helpful things to say would just keep scrolling to be honest.

I think you'd have quite a few running right beside you. Myself for one.

You encountered one who is arrogant as you observed. They claim they have the right to interpret God's word as they see fit. This is not in the bible. Just the opposite in fact.
The trouble comes when someone does what God says they must not do. And sooner or later God will put them aright by letting their hubris trip them up.
Their chastising you by saying, You do not need to quote Scriptures, but in order to know this, study the first epistle of John carefully, is for me God proving this.
You do not need to quote scriptures...but he in turn quotes a scripture book and chapter.

Some people imagine they're lay biblical scholars when they are no such thing. Knowledge gleaned through true education is far removed from excising parts of books, web resources, and scripture out of context, so as to put forth the falsehood of biblically learned. And sooner or later the wheat will be identifiable because the chaff is carried away on the winds.

 

[17Bees]

I struggle with knowing who I really am.
Sadly knowing and quoting the scriptures that are my "new identity" never seem to really help me.
I am still deeply confused - because I am forever trying to please my family - and forever not enough.

It confuses me because then I don't know where I should draw inspiration for my creativity from. It's pretty much died with the day I was saved. Everything changed over night and Even though I know I am saved - I love God and Jesus and Holy Spirit and I feel his Presence often - I am still very confused.

Who am I supposed to be - where do I belong or fit - what is my Purpose for being here.
Why now? Why ever?


I think my personality type (if we want to go there) seems to point out that I am one of those that are prone "to always beat myself up for not being enough - for wanting to be an individual, unique person - but also finding that a burden and curse because I wish I could just be content to fit in." I can honestly say those descriptions do fit me to a t.

I really try to feel comforted that God rejoices over me - that He has a purpose for me and all that. But I have to say it is a struggle daily not to want to stop trying.

Sounds to me like you know yourself pretty well. I mean, self reflection can be a pretty healthy thing, but let's face it Heart - you're turning yourself on and off like a switch. That can't be healthy. Believe me, I know. I've done the same thing. There were days when I was surprised to see the sun rose and set just like always and right on schedule. Thing is, reflection of any sort is directional. Alot of folks direct their woes towards rich people or a parent or bosses or even an entire race, so imagine the ferocity when little ole you is the only target.

It kills me because you're one of these people that others think the world of. Kind, generous, giving of yourself to others. A person you could confidently confide in; a person trustworthy. Then you get a hold of yourself and bang, you're a fake. You're a monster.

Here's the thing.... how are you going to fit in when you're so unique? I mean, I'm really badly introverted. Truly am. I joke that this coronavirus thing and social distancing is something I've trained for my entire life. But I own me. I just am who I am. So, maybe own you. We all keep saying God loves us for who we are so... what? You're not going to believe that? Purposes in life are often hidden from view for some and are clanging bells in others, but believe this - you are one of us now. Part of the Bride of Christ. Part of the Brotherhood and the Almighty Healer, the One who is and was from the beginning, and who will be forever has your back. And He uses us even when we don't know. Even when we don't think. Even when we hate us. You're just plain not alone and just plain have dynamic purpose.

So.... if you know yourself then know your triggers. What turns it on and what turns it off. Identify them. Understand them as part of your uniqueness. Turn them into glory.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

But ultimately we wasn't designed this way but sin left us in perpetual Earthly battle between good and evil. Our inner most being mimics the creator. How we design, how we love, how we want justice, how we worship, how we are designed to be knowledgeable, our sense of something more than this life, our very soul mimics the image of God.

Everyone is created in this spiritual image.

There are two natures the spiritual one in Christ and the fleshly one in Adam. Even believers will struggle with fleshly desires until we are made new in Christ, but getting to know Christ is a great start for anyone.