Please share with everyone what scriptures or Christian thoughts/lifestyle that previously made you feel: guilty, Low self esteem, lack of confidence etc that you have now found and applied the Truth and found you or someone had mis-read/misrepresented them that originaly made you feel bad (or any of the above negatives)
We can share and learn from each other!
Thanks,
Rod
Misunderstanding Scriptures-guilt,Low self-esteem, Lack of Confidence
Geez, let's see, where to start?
Christian Thought: having a purpose that God has for me that only I can do
My reaction: I totally messed it up and can't get back to THE purpose (you know, what I was supposed to be doing if I wasn't such a schmuck)
TRUTH: God knew all along what decisions I would make - He can still use me right where I am, even now.
Christian Thought: If you really are a Christian, you live a "good" Christian life (you know, no divorces, no stupid decisions along the way, etc.)
My reaction: Once again, I totally messed it up with my history. I blew it and am "less" than other Christians who stayed on the path of a "good" Christian life.
TRUTH: God loves me and see me through the blood of Jesus. He doesn't look at me and sigh deeply while shaking His head. My sins are forgiven and He has *chosen* to forget them and not remember them.
Okay, that's two of them. I know there's much more. Actually, I think this is a good topic - I know a lot of my anxiety has come from "letting God down" and that no matter what I did, it wouldn't be good enough. I have even had panic attacks based on what I read in the Bible. I'm going to look back and add more to this.
Good idea.
Christian Thought: having a purpose that God has for me that only I can do
My reaction: I totally messed it up and can't get back to THE purpose (you know, what I was supposed to be doing if I wasn't such a schmuck)
TRUTH: God knew all along what decisions I would make - He can still use me right where I am, even now.
Christian Thought: If you really are a Christian, you live a "good" Christian life (you know, no divorces, no stupid decisions along the way, etc.)
My reaction: Once again, I totally messed it up with my history. I blew it and am "less" than other Christians who stayed on the path of a "good" Christian life.
TRUTH: God loves me and see me through the blood of Jesus. He doesn't look at me and sigh deeply while shaking His head. My sins are forgiven and He has *chosen* to forget them and not remember them.
Okay, that's two of them. I know there's much more. Actually, I think this is a good topic - I know a lot of my anxiety has come from "letting God down" and that no matter what I did, it wouldn't be good enough. I have even had panic attacks based on what I read in the Bible. I'm going to look back and add more to this.
Good idea.
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Guest
Hey Rod-
I have found that there is a great need for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (what we are learning here) in the Church...
There are so many mistruths or misrepresentations that I have discovered from my vantage point or from that of other Christians, that I would need to write a dissertation or doctoral thesis on to fully disclose...
.... So I will just start with three...
1.The understanding that God is a good God and a loving God atall times.... It is from this vantage point that we must observe or study the scriptures and discern God's voice... Love never fails... always start from the position of Agape love as outlined in I Cor 13 and you will come up with revelation of the truth... by first applying it to yourself... and then move to others....
2.He never guilt-trips anyone, he does not use manipulation or shaming to get you to do what he wants you to ... he merely asks.... Anyone in the Church or outside of the church who does this to you is not lead by the Holy Spirit {James 4} and is not familiar with the love of God... whoever that one is, however high there office is... guilt, shaming, manipulation etc. do not come from the Lord...
3. When things go wrong with our lives, we should not take the leisure of pointing the finger at God... one would say "I did everything I was supposed to do, God, and you did not come through" (i.e. you tithe, you pray, you fast, you give sacrificially and ...you loose a job ... but according to your theology if you "give it shall be given unto you," and God "set before you an open door in which no man could close"... so your theology says... "well , God you must be wrong because I have done everything that you have commanded me to do"... sort of like the Job complex... when God allowed the testing because he was happy about Job's heart towards him and for various other reasons that God defers to disclose... but just asks Job numerous questions about God's wisdom... (see Job 38-40)...
That's all for now...
I have found that there is a great need for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (what we are learning here) in the Church...
There are so many mistruths or misrepresentations that I have discovered from my vantage point or from that of other Christians, that I would need to write a dissertation or doctoral thesis on to fully disclose...
.... So I will just start with three... 1.The understanding that God is a good God and a loving God atall times.... It is from this vantage point that we must observe or study the scriptures and discern God's voice... Love never fails... always start from the position of Agape love as outlined in I Cor 13 and you will come up with revelation of the truth... by first applying it to yourself... and then move to others....
2.He never guilt-trips anyone, he does not use manipulation or shaming to get you to do what he wants you to ... he merely asks.... Anyone in the Church or outside of the church who does this to you is not lead by the Holy Spirit {James 4} and is not familiar with the love of God... whoever that one is, however high there office is... guilt, shaming, manipulation etc. do not come from the Lord...
3. When things go wrong with our lives, we should not take the leisure of pointing the finger at God... one would say "I did everything I was supposed to do, God, and you did not come through" (i.e. you tithe, you pray, you fast, you give sacrificially and ...you loose a job ... but according to your theology if you "give it shall be given unto you," and God "set before you an open door in which no man could close"... so your theology says... "well , God you must be wrong because I have done everything that you have commanded me to do"... sort of like the Job complex... when God allowed the testing because he was happy about Job's heart towards him and for various other reasons that God defers to disclose... but just asks Job numerous questions about God's wisdom... (see Job 38-40)...
That's all for now...
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Guest
hi,
A lot of my anxiety and depression seems to come from the fact that I am a Christian. Which is ironic since it should lead to more joy, peace and love in your life, not less. But I think that I can't seem to believe that God truly loves me, even though I seem to be able to believe He loves everyone else. Or that He forgives me. Part of this is because I see myself as unlovable.
I also struggle with the concept of God's Will.
I felt that I messed up my life when I was younger and was no longer in God's will for my life. That thought still bothers me. I have this thing of seeing a certain path that I was supposed to take, and each time I make a wrong choice, I feel like I am just that much further away from where I should be. That no matter how much I try I can't be good enough. As if I have to be perfect. For me, this has been a hard thing to unlearn.
I have a friend who pointed out to me once that I am much harder on myself than I would ever be on anyone else. Everyone messes up. And I am the first to forgive and forget everyone else, just not myself.
A lot of my anxiety and depression seems to come from the fact that I am a Christian. Which is ironic since it should lead to more joy, peace and love in your life, not less. But I think that I can't seem to believe that God truly loves me, even though I seem to be able to believe He loves everyone else. Or that He forgives me. Part of this is because I see myself as unlovable.
I also struggle with the concept of God's Will.
I felt that I messed up my life when I was younger and was no longer in God's will for my life. That thought still bothers me. I have this thing of seeing a certain path that I was supposed to take, and each time I make a wrong choice, I feel like I am just that much further away from where I should be. That no matter how much I try I can't be good enough. As if I have to be perfect. For me, this has been a hard thing to unlearn.
I have a friend who pointed out to me once that I am much harder on myself than I would ever be on anyone else. Everyone messes up. And I am the first to forgive and forget everyone else, just not myself.
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Guest
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Guest
I think one of the misconceptions given in church is that once you become a christian, your worries and trouble will be never more..
Im not sure that pastors mean to give that impresion but as new christians, they take it take way..
God NEVER said we would never have any more problems, pain, or hurt.. What he DID say was in so many scriptures,, was,,,,,he would give you what you needed to get through whatver the pain, hurt or trouble you need.. Like Strength, courage, Love, Compassion, Closeness, Understanding, and Guidance...
Paul if you remember,, had a "thorn" he prayed God to take "away" three times. Gods answer was NO! all three times.. But God gave Paul an every greater answer,, by telling him,, "I will enable our to do MY Will even with the Thorn..
This is An Awesome God.. Without , trouble, Pain, Hurt, we would cease to gain knowledge, compassion, love for others... To empatize with someone else going through a journey, and being there for them because you have suffered the same pain...
Im not sure that pastors mean to give that impresion but as new christians, they take it take way..
God NEVER said we would never have any more problems, pain, or hurt.. What he DID say was in so many scriptures,, was,,,,,he would give you what you needed to get through whatver the pain, hurt or trouble you need.. Like Strength, courage, Love, Compassion, Closeness, Understanding, and Guidance...
Paul if you remember,, had a "thorn" he prayed God to take "away" three times. Gods answer was NO! all three times.. But God gave Paul an every greater answer,, by telling him,, "I will enable our to do MY Will even with the Thorn..
This is An Awesome God.. Without , trouble, Pain, Hurt, we would cease to gain knowledge, compassion, love for others... To empatize with someone else going through a journey, and being there for them because you have suffered the same pain...
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Guest
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Guest
Hi All, I am currently reading a book by Henri Nouwen. He is a contemporary christian theologian. His ability to explain the love of God is profound. The particular book that I am reading is called turn My Mourning into Dancing. It has been such a comfort to me by helping me to understand and accept God's journey for my life and His love for me. My next Henri Nouwen read will be The Return of the Prodigal. I have heard that it is amazing.
Is. 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways than yours and My thoughts than yours."
Is. 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways than yours and My thoughts than yours."
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Guest
Hi I toam suffering with guilt ,,and christianity. I just feel that I'm not good enough for god to love me. I know thats not the truth . but Satan sure has a way of convincing one.i have skipped to different parts of the program so that hasn't helped matters. I lice by myself and its so difficult to keep upbeat. I do volunteer and any time the church is open I am there It helps me to be around people/.I think its true that God allows trials in our life, so that we will cling closer to Him. When everything is going great we do not cling to God as much or have a regular prayer life. We should thank God even for pain and trialsI pray wed. eve.between 7 and nine for all the people who reqMy weekends are the hardest on me I hope this gets on the forum as I'm not always sure I'm doing things right. Had no idea that there were so many people in the same boat I'm in. I just ask God to help us alluested that,.
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Guest