Is it just me, or does this seem to be a hallmark within the Christian community? I get told to get closer to God; but I'm not allowed to say certain things. I'm told I need to pray more, but there are only certain things I can pray about. I'm told to live out my faith, but only if it's done in a certain way.
Do you feel that there are areas of your life that are "off limits" to God? (You don't have to tell us what they are--I know that's pretty personal territory.) Just tell us if you feel like you have "some" areas of your life that are "God-accessible" and other parts that you feel you're keeping in the closet. If so, why do you feel that way? Do you even want to talk to God about them, or are you content with having some things in your life, thoughts, or actions that seem to be too personal, embarrassing, or off limits to talk to God about?
The inspiration for this thread is an old Meatloaf (the singer, not the entree) song, "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That.)'" I often feel this way within Christian circles--I Can Discuss Anything With God. But I Can't Discuss That.
For instance, I feel as if people tell me I can't tell God how angry I am over certain racist comments I've encountered in my own life or have seen others encounter, and basically, if they suffered horribly right in front of me, I'd probably smile. YES, I know I am supposed to forgive and all of that... But forgiveness is a PROCESS, and the first step is anger. I don't know about others, but I go to God for EVERY step of the process, including the initial anger. The more I talk to God about it, the more He helps me move on from phase to phase. (I know I'll probably get a lot of passages about forgiveness as replies, but that's missing the point of this thread.) In other words, when people tell me, "You can't talk to God about that," I have learned to ignore them and I talk to Him about it anyway.
Listen to what David, "the man after God's own heart", said to the Lord regarding his enemies: Ps. 5:10--"PUNISH THEM, GOD." 55:15--"Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive." 58:6--"God, knock the teeth out of their mouths." 59:18--"By your Power, make them homeless wanderers." David also asks that his enemies would be so completely annihilated that their wives would be widows and their children would become orphans. There are many other examples of prophets and important Biblical figures pouring out their true hearts out to God, not just giving all the "righteous" answers.
David was working through his anger with God, and he knew it was a PROCESS, not an immediate arrival.
To anyone out there who is going through something, PLEASE DON'T BE AFRAID TO GO TO GOD ABOUT IT, no matter what stage you're in and no matter what you feel you have to say. I know some people may be afraid to talk to God because they have problems finding even another person to talk to. But please know, God INVITES us to talk to Him: "Submit your case", says the Lord,"Present your arguments (tell me your side of it.") Isaiah 41:21. "Cast ALL your cares on Him, because He cares for you affectionately." I Peter 5:6,7. When I realized that God is saying, "Kim, I don't care how big or bad or horrible you think it is, JUST COME HERE, SNUGGLE UP NEXT TO ME AND TALK TO ME ABOUT IT," that changed my world.
God doesn't expect you to be at a place of peaceful forgiveness or healing first in order to come to Him--in fact, choosing to go to Him first, no matter what your condition, is the only way TO be healed.
Yup, I'm going through some things. I go to God about them every single day. And I'm hoping, by sheer willpower if nothing else, I can drag a few of you along with me.
Have you gone to God about the Thing You Were Told Not To Speak About today?
(The poll is completely anonymous and multiple choice, so feel free to bear your true feelings.)
Do you feel that there are areas of your life that are "off limits" to God? (You don't have to tell us what they are--I know that's pretty personal territory.) Just tell us if you feel like you have "some" areas of your life that are "God-accessible" and other parts that you feel you're keeping in the closet. If so, why do you feel that way? Do you even want to talk to God about them, or are you content with having some things in your life, thoughts, or actions that seem to be too personal, embarrassing, or off limits to talk to God about?
The inspiration for this thread is an old Meatloaf (the singer, not the entree) song, "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That.)'" I often feel this way within Christian circles--I Can Discuss Anything With God. But I Can't Discuss That.
For instance, I feel as if people tell me I can't tell God how angry I am over certain racist comments I've encountered in my own life or have seen others encounter, and basically, if they suffered horribly right in front of me, I'd probably smile. YES, I know I am supposed to forgive and all of that... But forgiveness is a PROCESS, and the first step is anger. I don't know about others, but I go to God for EVERY step of the process, including the initial anger. The more I talk to God about it, the more He helps me move on from phase to phase. (I know I'll probably get a lot of passages about forgiveness as replies, but that's missing the point of this thread.) In other words, when people tell me, "You can't talk to God about that," I have learned to ignore them and I talk to Him about it anyway.
Listen to what David, "the man after God's own heart", said to the Lord regarding his enemies: Ps. 5:10--"PUNISH THEM, GOD." 55:15--"Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive." 58:6--"God, knock the teeth out of their mouths." 59:18--"By your Power, make them homeless wanderers." David also asks that his enemies would be so completely annihilated that their wives would be widows and their children would become orphans. There are many other examples of prophets and important Biblical figures pouring out their true hearts out to God, not just giving all the "righteous" answers.
David was working through his anger with God, and he knew it was a PROCESS, not an immediate arrival.
To anyone out there who is going through something, PLEASE DON'T BE AFRAID TO GO TO GOD ABOUT IT, no matter what stage you're in and no matter what you feel you have to say. I know some people may be afraid to talk to God because they have problems finding even another person to talk to. But please know, God INVITES us to talk to Him: "Submit your case", says the Lord,"Present your arguments (tell me your side of it.") Isaiah 41:21. "Cast ALL your cares on Him, because He cares for you affectionately." I Peter 5:6,7. When I realized that God is saying, "Kim, I don't care how big or bad or horrible you think it is, JUST COME HERE, SNUGGLE UP NEXT TO ME AND TALK TO ME ABOUT IT," that changed my world.
God doesn't expect you to be at a place of peaceful forgiveness or healing first in order to come to Him--in fact, choosing to go to Him first, no matter what your condition, is the only way TO be healed.
Yup, I'm going through some things. I go to God about them every single day. And I'm hoping, by sheer willpower if nothing else, I can drag a few of you along with me.
Have you gone to God about the Thing You Were Told Not To Speak About today?
(The poll is completely anonymous and multiple choice, so feel free to bear your true feelings.)
