No, this post is not about Halloween, or participating in the "festivities" associated with it. This post is about being real. Many of you know that I've gone through some really hard times lately, and much of it was of my own making. However, what you don't know, is how much better I'm doing, now that I've taken my mask completely off.
For the most part, I tried to be authentic and real, but when you get right down to the fact of the matter, I wasn't being nearly real enough. You see, I fell into that trap that so many Christians fall into. The one where we think we have to be somebody we aren't so that we can portray an image of "Christlikeness." The problem with that is, if we're portraying an image, then we are most definitely NOT being Christlike. I thank the Lord that He showed me the error of my ways.
I've become so much healthier in the last few months than I ever dreamed I could be. And I have alot farther to go. My marriage and my family have been under attack lately, and it is so reassuring to know that now that I am who I am, and not someone I think I should be, I'm able to withstand the many temptations he throws my way.
Some of the things I've been through in the last few months is rebuilding a damaged marriage (we're still working on that one, but we ARE getting there.) I've also learned that I was pregnant again, after almost a year of trying; and then learning that once again the pregnancy wasn't viable. I just had the D&C last Monday, to rid my body of the products of the pregnancy that would not leave on their own. (There was NO embryonic material...in other words, no baby. Only the gestational sac.) That was heart breaking, but I am still holding strong in the Lord.
I am learning to hold fast in the Lord, and to meditate on His Word daily. I'm learning what it truly means to have a relationship with Him. I mean REALLY and TRULY have a relationship with Him. Not some country club membership, like so many Christians have. I'm not trying to put anyone down, I just wanted to share the changes that have occurred in my own life.
It's been awhile since I posted anything here, and while I don't have any great insights to offer to anyone, other than to "check yourself" to see that the relationship you have with the Lord is real and true. It's amazing the changes that I have felt, and seen in my own life and that of my family. I just wanted to update everyone, and to let you all know that I'm still around. Just not online so much anymore. I'm learning (or re-learning) to sew, I've decided to go back to school to become a counselor, and I'm actively working my recovery. So much accomplished through the Good Lord's help. I pray you all are blessed, and I will continue to pray for all of you.
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Wow. I'm right there with you, Sister. =) I started a series on my blog called Real Life of a Christian. The explanation post is much like yours, and here it is.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for being real. I truly think it is the only way we're going to reach a lot of people!
By the way...found you via High Calling Blogs. =)
It has been a while since I visited your blog and I was proud of what I read today. When we wear a self righteous mask we rob God of the opportunity to show His power through us.
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me".
When a church is a country club whose members wear a mask it becomes what the verse below refers to.
2nd Timothy 3:5
5. having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
In conclusion grace and mercy are the glue that holds a marriage together. To many institutional churches are too focused on blaming either the husband or the wife for the marriage problems. Unfortunately many Christian live as if grace and mercy do not exist at all in todays weak church. It takes more strength to exercise grace and mercy then it does to exercise blame.
Your are far more powerful then you realize. Power that you hold without awareness is dangerous power. Once you grasp hold of the power that God grants you each day amazing things will start happening. Love conquers ALL. Now the question is what is love? 1st Corinthians 13. Once we define love then we are responsible only for our own self to become that definition. When our eyes are always focussed on the actions of other then they are never focussed on our own actions. The church is guilty of over-complicating everything. Jesus only gave us 2 commandments that actually fulfill the entire law.
Love, Joshua Guild
http://holytriage.info
It takes some courage to remove the mask. Too bad some church folk don't really want you to take it off because they will be too uncomfortable. They might have to minister to you or, they might look a lot like you--under their own mask. I'm glad God can do all the surgery needed to fix us so we will look like we should without the masks. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog on LWG blogroll and thought I'd say hi... off to read more...
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see you guys working through these difficulties and not falling apart like Satan would have you do. Also, I wanted to applaud you for your bravery and your honesty not only in this post, but many others. You examine yourself thoroughly and it is evident that the Lord has given you this keen sight because I can tell that these things are deep.
ReplyDeleteAs far as your bringing the troubles upon yourself, that's just evidence that you are human and have a sinful nature. But how you act AFTERWARDS shows your spiritual fruit and your new nature!!! Anyone can sin, but not everyone exhibits spiritual fruit. You may sin, but you also confess it to God, confess it to those affected, take steps to make it right, and you repent. So take courage that you are an obedient servant to the Lord. :)
Blessings,
Carol
Thank you to each and every one of you that have commented and offered words of encouragement. I covet them so very much right now. I am a much stronger Christ follower now, but the stronger I become, the more I notice the numerous daggers being leveled at me by the Enemy. It is wonderful to know though, that I have the full armor of God, and that so long as I use it to it's fullest, he is of no consequence to me. Obviously, I do not do this perfectly, but I'm getting better. I have learned to be a lover of God, and not just an observer. I love that I am on the inside now, and not feeling like I'm on the outside looking at in, at something I need so desperately. I thank the Lord that He deems me worthy of love, and calls me Beloved. As He does you. Be blessed each and every one of you. I do believe that the time is coming soon to start posting here again. I am waiting on the Lord, but He's given me so much to use to encourage others in their walk with Him, that I sense there will be a time soon that I will be here regularly again. Remember Jesus loves you and so do I!
ReplyDelete