Came accross this the other day but not sure where...
"All the water in all the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Likewise, all of the trouble in the world cannot bring us down unless it gets inside of us."
What do you do to prevent the troubles/darkness of the world around you getting in to bring you down? Honestly. Oh, I know all of the answers we give in "Christian" circles but really, isn't it time to revisit those and come up with something better. How helpful is it to say, "Give it to the Lord and everything will be okay".
Practically, what do you do on a daily basis to safequard yourself from spoiling? (you don't have to leave your name but I would be very interested in the responses).
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
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6 comments:
Honestly, I've racked my brain on this one, and I can think of no "better" sloution, actually, no "other" solution than to leave it to God. It's how I deal with everything. And believe me, that's not an easy thing to do. But as I talk to non-Christians, they have no answers and neither do I, apart from Him. We need to think "good thoughts" and insulate (or waterproof)ourselves with His Word. We have to realize that there are things in this world that we have no control over-only God does. It's the only thing that works for me! Sorry!
Yeah, I'm not sure that the popular Christian understanding of being happy happy happy all the time is the goal.
The psalms are filled with crys of pain, anger despair, violent images, pride - just raw honest life.
I don't think we just drop our problems off on God's door step and walk away with a big grin. We need to invite God into our life, our pain, our mess. Not just once, but each day.
For me the most powerful moments have been when I've been yelling at God, it's then that he'll slap me across the face and show me where I'm wrong, changing my perspective. That's when I gain hope.
- Peace
Thank you, I agree with both of you. I am not saying that there has to be any other way than to leave it with God, but what does that mean? What does that mean to someone who doesn't know God or who is very new in their faith. I think we need to come up with better, more descriptive, practical ways of 'how' we leave it to God...what does that look like?
Again I ask, what do you do on a regular basis to keep safe and to keep the darkness from creeping in?
I pray..asking for God's help, strength and wisdom. I read Scripture to make me wise and give me tools to fight with.
I rely on relationships through small group, and hopefully soon, an accountability partner and/or mentor.
I think walking with people and sharing the journey is such a powerful way to remain strong.
I agree with everything that has been said so far-I also think that it requires intentionality to not put oneself in situations individuals know will open the door to darkness. If you know that one area is a weakness-pray for strength to resist it.
I'm a cynic about formula's but I have one any way.
God Loves Me. No strings, no work required. Yeah I know that sounds trite but most of us (me) strugle to know/belive/remember/trust that.
God's unconditional love for me calls me to unconditional love for those God loves. If I accept God's love and mercy for me, I must accept God's love and mercy for everyone and I'm called to join in that love.
Join in that loves means taking action, cause love is a verb not a feeling. It means joining with others in community and loving our ennemies and our spouses. It means stuggle, pain and rejection. Love isn't easy, but it is life.
It's learning to live in love that casts out darkness.
OK so how do you learn to live in love? Pray, read scripture, practice love, Fail and try again. In no particular order, or all at the same time.
That's about the best I can do to describe what I think I need to do more of...
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