Tattoos, Self Harm and God( ***S.I Trigger warning******)

[chaoticfirefly]

I'm sure I already know your guys' answers on this, but it might not hurt to ask.

I dunno if its much of a secret that I self harm, and lately, I've been serious about finally be done with relying on that but I've been struggling with it; constantly tempted whenever I do/say something wrong or I mess up.

Well, for the past year, I've been wanting a tattoo (usually of words) and the past two/three weeks, I decided on a cross with a white lily on my shoulder blade and then, I got this idea that I've been stuck on, is getting it in the place I self harm (upper left arm) so whenever I go to hurt myself, I see the cross with my favorite flower and Bible verse (Pslams 23:4) to remind myself that God wouldn't want me marking up my arm and that God is with me, and loves me, no matter what.

I never get a negative feeling about it and I'm not having second thoughts about it, but I'm wondering if God would be upset and angry if I slip up and end up harming myself there. I admit, I'm a little bit scared that I'm doing something bad by using something physical to stop self harming and that God'll hate me for it but the feeling is fleeting and I've asked God multiple times abouts about it and haven't had anything telling me otherwise.

But would He be mad that I'm not relying on prayer and would He hate me if I end up slipping up? I don't want to and like I said, I'm getting the tattoo as a reason/a reminder not to hurt myself and I don't wanna be eternally damned if I relapse...

 

[CounselorForChrist]

This is one of those issues thats up there with smoking, watching R rated movies...etc. Some say you shouldn't get tattoos because you are messing up your temple. Others see them as ok. I wanted a tattoo at first because it would have boosted my happiness at the time.

As for self harm. I went through that phase. Mind you what I am about to say it just an opinion and I am sure others might disagree. But putting that tattoo on your arm where you hurt yourself might be a good thing. If your faith is strong enough you will look at that tattoo and not hurt yourself. But if you still harm yourself anyways you might need help on a deeper level.

Remember God wants us to rely on him but at the same time there are some things we need to do to in order ot help ourselves. And by that I mean if your legs get caught off you don't sit there praying for them to reattach. You call 911. I can't say whether or not getting that tattoo is something God would say to do. But I say its ok since you are trying to help yourself. Just as long as you realize each situation is diffrent. Not everything we do to help ourselves is a good thing really.

Have you talked to a chrsitian couneslour or pastor about this? I'm a bit tired so I can't think clearly right now. You will be in my prayers though! Stay strong. Even if you don't hear an answer, God is always with you, always loves you and will always forgive you! Nothing is impossible through him!

 

[PaladinValer]

If you are already having issues with self-harm, then I would recommend you not get a tattoo until you can discern that your desire for one is not to feel pain (it is painful to get one).

I suggest you talk to a psychologist about this.

 

[BFine]

I'm sure I already know your guys' answers on this, but it might not hurt to ask.

I dunno if its much of a secret that I self harm, and lately, I've been serious about finally be done with relying on that but I've been struggling with it; constantly tempted whenever I do/say something wrong or I mess up.

*Are you currently seeing a psychologist about your self harming?

Well, for the past year, I've been wanting a tattoo (usually of words) and the past two/three weeks, I decided on a cross with a white lily on my shoulder blade and then, I got this idea that I've been stuck on, is getting it in the place I self harm (upper left arm) so whenever I go to hurt myself, I see the cross with my favorite flower and Bible verse (Pslams 23:4) to remind myself that God wouldn't want me marking up my arm and that God is with me, and loves me, no matter what.

*God doesn't want you to harm yourself...God wants you to arm yourself with his Word...to put on the full armor so to speak...check out this link:
Acts 17:11 Bible Study: The Full Armor of God



​

I never get a negative feeling about it and I'm not having second thoughts about it, but I'm wondering if God would be upset and angry if I slip up and end up harming myself there. I admit, I'm a little bit scared that I'm doing something bad by using something physical to stop self harming and that God'll hate me for it but the feeling is fleeting and I've asked God multiple times abouts about it and haven't had anything telling me otherwise.

*God wants you to fully rely upon Him and uphold His Word in your life.
Why seek a tattoo when you have the Bible(His Word) to renew your mind upon?
Why not memorize some scripture...for examples:
Psalm 139:14
Psalm 56:8
Jeremiah 31:3
Ephesians 2:10
2 Timothy 1: 8-9
​

But would He be mad that I'm not relying on prayer and would He hate me if I end up slipping up? I don't want to and like I said, I'm getting the tattoo as a reason/a reminder not to hurt myself and I don't wanna be eternally damned if I relapse...

*What sends a person to hell is continually rejecting Christ as Savior.

You don't need to get a tattoo...what I recommend here is for you to get grounded in the Word of God and grow spiritually...don't lean upon your own understanding/reasoning.

You are putting a lot of reliance upon this religious type tattoo to do the job...but then you go on to say, IF you slip up and self harm...would God be mad etc.

There's a definite conflict going on here...and I urge you to seek
counseling about the self harming issue and any other issue(s) you have...somehow I get the feeling there's something else you haven't
confronted in your personal life...

Real change starts on the inside of you not on the outside...that's why we find so often in scripture directions to renew our mind, Pray, guard our hearts, follow Christ, uphold biblical standards etc...

Making a flub or mistake doesn't make you a lesser Christian(none of us are super saints) nor
does it mean you are unworthy to receive forgiveness when you seek it.
The only righteousness (holiness) we have is what Christ imparts to us.

http://youtu.be/eVE_cFpYqSQ

 

[Sketcher]

Tattoos are fine as long as you're not Jewish. Think about it in terms of "Do I want this on my body for the rest of my life, for my eventual kids and grandkids to see?" I would pray, "Lord, if you want me to get a tattoo, what would honor you?"

I have not heard of tattoos curing self-harm in any way, though. You need to see a counselor for that.

 

[chaoticfirefly]

I'm a college student who can barely afford school, let alone counciling and medication and the schools councilor is never there and is incredibly useless anyways. I have social anxiety so I can hardlyy get to church without panicking (and I work until early mornings), praying just makes me hate myself more and I can barely focus on the Bible...

 

[Life2Christ]

I just saw an article on this. Demi Lovato from Disney tried attempted suicide and she got tatooed over her wrists as a reminder to "stay strong". Honestly, these tactics are only a band-aid. They will not give your a source of strength from which to pull yourself up. You need God's holy strength and you can start by seeing a good family therapist to sort through issues, church and prayer. You are battling something and you need real armor not a paper sword. Wish I could give ya a hug. Keep posting if you want to talk things over. There is usually someone on these boards.

 

[chaoticfirefly]

I missed BFines question:
I used to see a psychologist about depression and the bjllying I was enduring when I was ten until thirteen-fourteen and then a therapist from sixteen until seventeen for social anxiety. I never talked about my SI because they both sucked. Yeah, I had a family psychiatrist as well but my parents would be, "Our child doesn't do that! Why would you do that, you have no reason." Aside from going to a school where teachers tell a student who is being bullied that they're not going anywhere and to endure the bullying, yeah, no reason to self harm.

And I can't afford to see anyone now.

As for Jonathan19, kind of already too late with making markings upon the flesh. Kind of been doing that since I was nine-ten years old.

And yeah, I know its being used as a crutch but I'm more using it as a form of the "Butterfly project" and as a reminder that God wouldn't want me to hurt myself.

 

[fuji]

I'm sure I already know your guys' answers on this, but it might not hurt to ask.

I dunno if its much of a secret that I self harm, and lately, I've been serious about finally be done with relying on that but I've been struggling with it; constantly tempted whenever I do/say something wrong or I mess up.

Well, for the past year, I've been wanting a tattoo (usually of words) and the past two/three weeks, I decided on a cross with a white lily on my shoulder blade and then, I got this idea that I've been stuck on, is getting it in the place I self harm (upper left arm) so whenever I go to hurt myself, I see the cross with my favorite flower and Bible verse (Pslams 23:4) to remind myself that God wouldn't want me marking up my arm and that God is with me, and loves me, no matter what.

I never get a negative feeling about it and I'm not having second thoughts about it, but I'm wondering if God would be upset and angry if I slip up and end up harming myself there. I admit, I'm a little bit scared that I'm doing something bad by using something physical to stop self harming and that God'll hate me for it but the feeling is fleeting and I've asked God multiple times abouts about it and haven't had anything telling me otherwise.

But would He be mad that I'm not relying on prayer and would He hate me if I end up slipping up? I don't want to and like I said, I'm getting the tattoo as a reason/a reminder not to hurt myself and I don't wanna be eternally damned if I relapse...

I met an obese woman that told me that I shouldnt get a tattoo because it was "destroying the temple of God". I had to restrain myself from the irony, how she weighed(no pun intended) the risk to health factors of a tattoo and compared them to living a obese and unhealthy lifestyle boggled my mind.

Some people love to take the specks out of their brothers eye, when they can hardly see through their own lumber yard.

 

[Philothei]

Mod hat on

Thread closed for review
​

 

[Jere209]

MOD HAT ON

This thread has been reopened. God bless

MOD HAT OFF
​

 

[Phoenix92885]

I'm sure I already know your guys' answers on this, but it might not hurt to ask.

I dunno if its much of a secret that I self harm, and lately, I've been serious about finally be done with relying on that but I've been struggling with it; constantly tempted whenever I do/say something wrong or I mess up.

Well, for the past year, I've been wanting a tattoo (usually of words) and the past two/three weeks, I decided on a cross with a white lily on my shoulder blade and then, I got this idea that I've been stuck on, is getting it in the place I self harm (upper left arm) so whenever I go to hurt myself, I see the cross with my favorite flower and Bible verse (Pslams 23:4) to remind myself that God wouldn't want me marking up my arm and that God is with me, and loves me, no matter what.

I never get a negative feeling about it and I'm not having second thoughts about it, but I'm wondering if God would be upset and angry if I slip up and end up harming myself there. I admit, I'm a little bit scared that I'm doing something bad by using something physical to stop self harming and that God'll hate me for it but the feeling is fleeting and I've asked God multiple times abouts about it and haven't had anything telling me otherwise.

But would He be mad that I'm not relying on prayer and would He hate me if I end up slipping up? I don't want to and like I said, I'm getting the tattoo as a reason/a reminder not to hurt myself and I don't wanna be eternally damned if I relapse...

One day when my scars are able to be tattooed over I'd like to get tattoos as well. Ones representing strength. Not because I believe it will heal but because I want there to be some form of beauty from my pain. I wish I could tell you that a simple bandaid could fix the addiction we have but sadly, it cannot. However, we can change our mindset and how we look at things. To be honest, I personally am disgusted every time I look at my scars. Due to their severity, I have to wait for them to recede and let time change them before I can tattoo over them and it look right. I look at my scars and think of myself as weak. I want to look at them and think of myself as a strong. I think thats kind of where you're coming from. You want to remind yourself how far you've come and who you are now, am I wrong? If that is your thought process then go for it. Show those around you that through God you are defeating this every day battle with the addiction. If you see this tattoo as a praise to God and a daily reminder then I see nothing wrong with doing it.

One other quick thing. Nothing you do now has you damned to hell. As long as you've accepted Christ we'll meet each other one day in heaven. I look forward to it. I'm praying for you and your battle. Keep fighting and feel free to PM me anytime!

Phoenix