Does The Truth

[BlindSeeker]

Why do you suppose you feel the way you do?

What do you believe is the cause of your "illness"?

because my entire life has been filled with discouragement and heartache and verbal abuse and loneliness and broken promises and . . . .

I have several issues I need to overcome, and it just isn't happening. Maybe I need more perseverance, but I can't pull myself up to do so. I've been searching for any Scripture verses or passages that I can apply to the situations and hold on to them . . . but doing so is like lifting a 50 pound weight. (Note: I can't lift 50 pounds.)

Is it a bad relationship? I don't mean to pry, but that is what it sounds like.

If so, there are remedies for that other than enduring abuse.

No amount of faith can change another person.

Again, sister Nebula. I do not mean to pry, but you have been on my heart many times. I know that you are truly indeed a woman of God who delights both in Him and His creation, but obviously you are in a situation that perhaps needs to be changed . . . rather than changing yourself.

Praying . . .

[paul1149]

LH4E,

I think truth presented but not accepted actually makes life harder. Now the person has either confusion about not knowing what's the right way forward, or he has a moral weight on him for denying the right path. It's not a comfortable place to be.

How to deal with it, I can't say. Sometimes the truth needs to be affirmed repeatedly, but other times the person needs time alone for the truth to work on him. That's why we need to bathe all these things in prayer first.

A comment on getting out of a rut (from a guy who has had his share of them and is fighting a very difficult situation currently). I believe the victory must be won in the faith realm first, according to Mk. 11. And the way to do that often is to send the praisers into battle first. Regardless of what it looks like, regardless of what it feels like, praise God with what you've got. Affirm His faithfulness and sovereignty. Exalt Him above yourself and your problem. As you do the problem begins to gain perspective. It may be an ongoing battle until manifest victory is assured. One very helpful book in this regard is Rees Howells, by Norman Grubb.

bb,

p.

[nebula]

Thanks, William -

But I'm talking about my entire life. I grew up in what Mom has termed "a non-functional home." Verbal and emotional abuse came from family members not able to cope with their problems (i.e. defending oneself by blame-shifting and the like) and from my classmates (I was the outsider on the bottom of the totem pole at school).

I walked through years of chronic depression and "major depressive episode". The "spirit of death" aspect has been healed, but I can't get over the rest of the chronic depression - and yeah, a negative attitude is a part of that . . . but when one keeps getting dragged down, it's tough. My chronic illnesses pull down on my emotions, too (I refuse to take depression pills, though - I'm more afraid of the "cure" than the disease).

I'm trying to overcome the incorrect thinking, the slothfulness, the hopelessness, the lack of productivity, lack of financial stability - the works. Going back to the OP, about the truth setting one free . . . it's easy to "advise" on, but walking it out, I'm stumbling on time and time again.

[BlindSeeker]

I'm trying to overcome the incorrect thinking, the slothfulness, the hopelessness, the lack of productivity, lack of financial stability - the works.

This part sounds like my present battle. As a contractor reaping the benefits of the current economy, I've had no real work over 10 months, depleted resources with kids in college, over qualified for every thing I apply for, lot's to do with nothing to do it with, more time than resources, waiting for direction from Father for a while . . . and trying not to fall into despair . . .

But I believed these things were destined to happen, I taught it for years. I do not see where as a believer I should be excluded from the hard times, just the wrath that comes as a witness of the condemnation of the wicked. Still, I have food and raiment and more than many in the world . . . but not being a head of a household of breatharians it is easy to feel the weight of these things.

Still, I do what I can and continue to wait of the Lord . . .

Again my friend, I know you are in the prayers of many here . . . as well also loved and respected. You have caused many a smile to come to my face over the years with your "Lookie here at what our Father did!" posts and threads.

You do not stand or fight alone . . . even though you may feel alone.

Edited July 18, 2009 by BlindSeeker

[CJAM457]

I think we as Christians, tend to get a little jumpy when things go awry in the world. I have to keep reminding myself that GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!!! Regardless of how things look (and I feel they are gonna get worse) I look at it as the devil is messing with things, wants me to get worried, wants me to feel abandoned. But I don't and won't give the devil a foothold. I maintain what I know to be sound, TRUE doctorine, that GOD is still in control and that it's ALL gonna be alright! We can't fix anything, we can't change anything BUT we can PRAY and we can lean on each other, giving each other support and sound scriptures letting each other know that GOD is for us, who can be against us and that we have to help each other make this race to the finish line!

So seeker, Nebula, remember "Were in this race together" and don't forget the GOD we love and serve IS with us. It's gonna be ok. So let's pray and patiently wait for our FATHER GOD to answer us and to heal our situation!

Edited July 18, 2009 by CJAM457

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

LH4E,

I think truth presented but not accepted actually makes life harder. Now the person has either confusion about not knowing what's the right way forward, or he has a moral weight on him for denying the right path. It's not a comfortable place to be.

How to deal with it, I can't say. Sometimes the truth needs to be affirmed repeatedly, but other times the person needs time alone for the truth to work on him. That's why we need to bathe all these things in prayer first.

A comment on getting out of a rut (from a guy who has had his share of them and is fighting a very difficult situation currently). I believe the victory must be won in the faith realm first, according to Mk. 11. And the way to do that often is to send the praisers into battle first. Regardless of what it looks like, regardless of what it feels like, praise God with what you've got. Affirm His faithfulness and sovereignty. Exalt Him above yourself and your problem. As you do the problem begins to gain perspective. It may be an ongoing battle until manifest victory is assured. One very helpful book in this regard is Rees Howells, by Norman Grubb.

bb,

p.

Thanks Paul. I was wondering if anyone was going to get back to my original question.

[Guest man]

Thanks, William -

But I'm talking about my entire life. I grew up in what Mom has termed "a non-functional home." Verbal and emotional abuse came from family members not able to cope with their problems (i.e. defending oneself by blame-shifting and the like) and from my classmates (I was the outsider on the bottom of the totem pole at school).

I walked through years of chronic depression and "major depressive episode". The "spirit of death" aspect has been healed, but I can't get over the rest of the chronic depression - and yeah, a negative attitude is a part of that . . . but when one keeps getting dragged down, it's tough. My chronic illnesses pull down on my emotions, too (I refuse to take depression pills, though - I'm more afraid of the "cure" than the disease).

I'm trying to overcome the incorrect thinking, the slothfulness, the hopelessness, the lack of productivity, lack of financial stability - the works. Going back to the OP, about the truth setting one free . . . it's easy to "advise" on, but walking it out, I'm stumbling on time and time again.

Matthew 9

12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them,

[nebula]

Thanks Blindseeker and CJAM!

Man - I appreciate your concern. But what scares me about depression meds is that they can screw up one's spiritual sensitivity, make a person "not feel", and/or increase the risk for suicide. I don't want to risk that.

lovinghimforever - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I really did just want to ask for some testimonies . . . after all, the Bible is full of "testimonies" (stories) of how people dealt with struggles. Often times stories have more meaning than a list of dos and don'ts. That's all.

[Guest man]

Man - I appreciate your concern. But what scares me about depression meds is that they can screw up one's spiritual sensitivity, make a person "not feel", and/or increase the risk for suicide. I don't want to risk that.

I had those fears too, but not all meds are like that. They don't all have the same side effects. I'm living proof of that. There are many here who can tell you the same thing.

But I'm not here to push pills. You stated that your faith is wavering, you can't hold on to it. That's a dangerous place to be. Because if your faith is weak and unstable, all you're really doing is giving lip service.

You stated that you're afraid that depression meds will screw up your "spiritual sensitivity". Isn't that what your depression is doing to you? Aren't those " uncontrollable bad situations" a result of your depression?

If you can't get a grasp on your faith, you may wake up someday and find that you have no faith at all.................it happens.

[nebula]

Man - it's not my belief in God that's wavering.

It's putting faith into action into circumstances that's my problem. And it's not "wavering" because I was never strong in it to begin with. I want to live out the "faith that moves mountain" type of life, but I've never been able to make the connection I need to get there. Yes, there have been times in my life, a few times, when mountains got moved - but the "connect" was something that came upon me rather than something I "did". This is why my discouragements outweigh my successes and thus my struggle.