Sonny I really don't have advice about denying yourself. These brothers and sisters have done such a good job sharing.But, when you talk about being hurt and withdrawing from socializing, I do understand that, and it was words from the Bible and from a friend who helped me. I had practically become a hermit. But a friend told me to get out of the house, go to church, go to ball games, just don't give your heart totally away, that is for God. Being a very giving person, that made no sense to me. Then I read this verse
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
The NIV reads like this
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Heartache and pain causes breaks in relationships. There is a passage which says that Jesus did not trust himself to certain people because he knew what was in their hearts.
Once you have put the proper guards on your heart, then venture back out among people. And be very careful about who you allow to get close enough to hurt you. Be selective, like Jesus. And, I think you will find that you are a little bit more friendly and a little bit less unfriendly with a little less tendency to be hurt, or to hurt others. My mother said to me once when I was a teenager and one of my close friends had hurt me. She said some people have to be fed with a long handled spoon. That means, love them, speak and say hello, smile and treat them nice, but do not let them close enough to hurt you again. Get out of the house, go to church Sonny, but be selective in close friendships. Guard your heart.
Thank you. And I will
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