Hi All,
It's been awhile since I've been in this forum. As I periodically read some of these posts, so many things go on through my mind. Often times, I don't have the time to write all the things I'm thinking about. But, I do feel particularly burdened for so many people in this forum as well as many of the forums here on CF. I also recognize that not everyone who posts in CF are Christians, and I try to be mindful of that.
One of the things that I've tried to be aware of are people's feelings. Being a fairly analytical person, sometimes, even as a woman, I lack sensitivity towards others. Please forgive me if anything I might write may sound insensitive. Lots of things have been on my mind about ya'll. It is not my intention to be hurtful.
A general theme that I see often in CF is a lot of hurt, despair, hopelessness, defeat, and victim mentality. The expression, "Misery loves company" seems to be so true. I'm not trying to be critical, but it may sound like it. Some of the same people want to get better, but rather than do something different and focusing strictly on who God is, being victorious in Him, claiming your strength in Jesus Christ, you continually focus on the problem, situation, circumstance you have. Over and over again you play your defeat or failure in your head. Sure, it may have been a big terrible thing that happened, but it continues to grow bigger as you constantly dwell on it. It works almost like an avalanche...and sooner than you know it, you're so consumed by whatever it is that ails you, that you find no way out. You look for people who feel similar as you to validate or to share similar experiences to yours. Maybe it's a way of relating. I've been there, done that for far too long. That's not right.
However, that leads to a lot of destruction if not dealt with properly. Most will not deal with any of this properly and begin a downward, deadly spiral. Is it ok to not feel good about a bad situation? Sure, but learn from it...see what God is trying to tell you, teach you, show you. Let it go. Move on. I'm thinking of this song sung by Lesley Glassford called, "Let It Go".
You attract whatever it is you focus on whether you believe it or not. Look around you. What kind of people do you attract? What situations do you attract? Believe me, I've been on both sides. It takes a lot of work to focus on positive things, especially the things of God. Satan works hard to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY your marriages, your testimony, your families, your relationships. He knows that once you are saved, that he can't take away your salvation, but he'll do his darndest to get you to NOT draw other Christians closer to Christ or to lead the unsaved to Christ. He's so cunning.
Every day we must get up and claim the power of Jesus in our lives, delve into His Word, immerse ourselves in prayer & protection from the forces of evil that work against us. I want each of you to be empowered in the name of Jesus Christ. Stop being victims. Take responsibility, be accountable. Step out in faith and trust God. Don't be fearful. That's not of God. It doesn't matter what your education is, your socio-economic status, whatever.
This is sad for me to say, but I have avoided coming to CF too often because I don't really find that many people on here truly claiming the power of Jesus in their lives. The victim, hopeless, defeated attitudes bring me down and I have to remove myself to keep from getting sucked into all this. Many live as defeated Christians and that is an oximoron. That's NOT how God intends for us to live. Yes, I know we all have down periods, but REFUSE to wallow in misery. Pick yourself back up. In order for me to be effective in my daily walk with Christ, be there for my husband, children, co-workers, other people, I need to focus on the power of Jesus and gain strength through Him. So many things work daily to tear me down. Yes, there are some people at CF that are encouraging. I'm thankful for them. I want to be encouraging, too.
I try to focus on what I can do and what God can do through me, through others, etc. I know the battle is already won and that I have power over Satan through Jesus Christ. Each of you who are Christians also can tap into that same power.
There are a couple groups I'm in that are predominantly non-Christian in exercise. There is not a real focus on God, but no one objects to me sharing about God. Those 2 forums contain many people who are not Christians, but that have wonderful attitudes. They do not have a victim mentality, but one that believes they can do all things. Imagine if they became Christians what they could do. They also have problems just like you or me, but they refuse to be defeated by them. As Christians who have the power of Christ, shouldn't we be so much more optimistic? Yet, why aren't many? If we looked at our lives, can we say that others would be attracted to Jesus because of our testimony? I'm not saying we have to be fake and everything is all hunky dory. But, what really sets us apart from the world?
Another one of my friends said that he hates most Christians because they are defeatists, crooks, hypocrites and users of people. He said he never wanted to be like that and that I was the exception. Even my good testimony is destroyed by other people who call themselves "Christians" who screw people over. Many of my siblings & parents feel the same way. How do people see us? Are they drawn or repelled by our testimonies? People watch. It's very convicting for me.
In Phil 4:13 it says, "I CAN do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me." That has been a life verse for me. If that is your life verse, does your life really reflect it? If not, why not? If so, how does it?
Food for Thought,
Doris
It's been awhile since I've been in this forum. As I periodically read some of these posts, so many things go on through my mind. Often times, I don't have the time to write all the things I'm thinking about. But, I do feel particularly burdened for so many people in this forum as well as many of the forums here on CF. I also recognize that not everyone who posts in CF are Christians, and I try to be mindful of that.
One of the things that I've tried to be aware of are people's feelings. Being a fairly analytical person, sometimes, even as a woman, I lack sensitivity towards others. Please forgive me if anything I might write may sound insensitive. Lots of things have been on my mind about ya'll. It is not my intention to be hurtful.
A general theme that I see often in CF is a lot of hurt, despair, hopelessness, defeat, and victim mentality. The expression, "Misery loves company" seems to be so true. I'm not trying to be critical, but it may sound like it. Some of the same people want to get better, but rather than do something different and focusing strictly on who God is, being victorious in Him, claiming your strength in Jesus Christ, you continually focus on the problem, situation, circumstance you have. Over and over again you play your defeat or failure in your head. Sure, it may have been a big terrible thing that happened, but it continues to grow bigger as you constantly dwell on it. It works almost like an avalanche...and sooner than you know it, you're so consumed by whatever it is that ails you, that you find no way out. You look for people who feel similar as you to validate or to share similar experiences to yours. Maybe it's a way of relating. I've been there, done that for far too long. That's not right.
However, that leads to a lot of destruction if not dealt with properly. Most will not deal with any of this properly and begin a downward, deadly spiral. Is it ok to not feel good about a bad situation? Sure, but learn from it...see what God is trying to tell you, teach you, show you. Let it go. Move on. I'm thinking of this song sung by Lesley Glassford called, "Let It Go".
You attract whatever it is you focus on whether you believe it or not. Look around you. What kind of people do you attract? What situations do you attract? Believe me, I've been on both sides. It takes a lot of work to focus on positive things, especially the things of God. Satan works hard to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY your marriages, your testimony, your families, your relationships. He knows that once you are saved, that he can't take away your salvation, but he'll do his darndest to get you to NOT draw other Christians closer to Christ or to lead the unsaved to Christ. He's so cunning.
Every day we must get up and claim the power of Jesus in our lives, delve into His Word, immerse ourselves in prayer & protection from the forces of evil that work against us. I want each of you to be empowered in the name of Jesus Christ. Stop being victims. Take responsibility, be accountable. Step out in faith and trust God. Don't be fearful. That's not of God. It doesn't matter what your education is, your socio-economic status, whatever.
This is sad for me to say, but I have avoided coming to CF too often because I don't really find that many people on here truly claiming the power of Jesus in their lives. The victim, hopeless, defeated attitudes bring me down and I have to remove myself to keep from getting sucked into all this. Many live as defeated Christians and that is an oximoron. That's NOT how God intends for us to live. Yes, I know we all have down periods, but REFUSE to wallow in misery. Pick yourself back up. In order for me to be effective in my daily walk with Christ, be there for my husband, children, co-workers, other people, I need to focus on the power of Jesus and gain strength through Him. So many things work daily to tear me down. Yes, there are some people at CF that are encouraging. I'm thankful for them. I want to be encouraging, too.
I try to focus on what I can do and what God can do through me, through others, etc. I know the battle is already won and that I have power over Satan through Jesus Christ. Each of you who are Christians also can tap into that same power.
There are a couple groups I'm in that are predominantly non-Christian in exercise. There is not a real focus on God, but no one objects to me sharing about God. Those 2 forums contain many people who are not Christians, but that have wonderful attitudes. They do not have a victim mentality, but one that believes they can do all things. Imagine if they became Christians what they could do. They also have problems just like you or me, but they refuse to be defeated by them. As Christians who have the power of Christ, shouldn't we be so much more optimistic? Yet, why aren't many? If we looked at our lives, can we say that others would be attracted to Jesus because of our testimony? I'm not saying we have to be fake and everything is all hunky dory. But, what really sets us apart from the world?
Another one of my friends said that he hates most Christians because they are defeatists, crooks, hypocrites and users of people. He said he never wanted to be like that and that I was the exception. Even my good testimony is destroyed by other people who call themselves "Christians" who screw people over. Many of my siblings & parents feel the same way. How do people see us? Are they drawn or repelled by our testimonies? People watch. It's very convicting for me.
In Phil 4:13 it says, "I CAN do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me." That has been a life verse for me. If that is your life verse, does your life really reflect it? If not, why not? If so, how does it?
Food for Thought,
Doris

but yeah. There have been times where I just wanted to "vent" and whine and complain about what's going on my life. But personally, I think it's just best to take it to the Lord in prayer and leave it there. Now asking for advice from fellow Christians or non-Christians is good. Gives us different views on certain situations. Variety. That's nice to be able to do that here.