You Are Loved... We Are Loved Blog #1

You are Loved..We are Loved BLOG #1
Written July 8th 2008

Often times our connection with our heavenly father is based in part on our relationship and or past relationship with our earthly father because The dynamics of our relationship with our earthly father, at some level create a perception of what our Heavenly fathers Love for us is, or isn't. As we recognize this we have to make a disassociation with this. People are fallible, and though you may or may not have children, you to will fail and probably at times fail miserably where your children are concerned. People are fallible and all of the relationships we have with earthly beings can and or will let us down.
There are answers to these issues, and a way to fix your connection with God if its broken as mine was. Our peace comes from knowing God and understanding the promises he has given us. Those promises come in the form of a book. The Bible. I needed to forgive my parents for any and all of the things that had hurt me. (More on this later). We are given promises by our heavenly father that are available to each and everyone of us.
God does not intend for us to live a life of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. We have been given a choice. Once we reach a point where we realize that we are resenting, or have been hurt by those that we love, we are to begin a process of forgiveness. You just truly cannot have the peace that is promised in the Bible if you're holding resentment in your heart. The resentment will hurt and even possibly destroy the resenter not the resentee. Resentment and anger lead to bitterness, which later can lead to depression, anxiousness, and other mental issues. Resentment and anger are habit forming. They became a way of life for me. I resented most everything, my parents, my job, my nation, our society, and even more so my own self. Self-loathing became a way of life. For months and even years the pain in me was a pain that felt like death. It was a pain that I misunderstood as a desire to Die. The truth is we have been given a will to live. God gave us that. He wants us to live and not just live but live a life abundantly that is filled with a peace that transcends all understanding.
God loves us enough to have sent his son to hang there on the Cross and pay the Ultimate price to save each and every one of us. He died for you, that you may have access to the heavenly father. Peace is yours if you accept it. It is there for the taking. You can be free of the bitterness hurt and anger. The alternative is to allow the anger and resentment to destroy you from the inside out. Leading to spiritual, mental and eventually physical death. Sin is death. Sin is death in, mind body and spirit. It kills slowly from the inside.
For me I learned only recently that I must forgive, not only once but also at times I have to forgive over and over again. Even when the person whom has hurt me no longer exudes the behaviors that had hurt me. I still end up needing to forgive over and over. Forgiveness brings a freedom in you and in those that you have forgiven. It gives the opportunity for both parties to move on and be free. This is what God wants from me. It may be something that he wants from you too. A great friend once said forgive everyone of everything everyday. That is valid, and beautiful in its simplicity.
God Loves us and has given us the opportunity to have peace, and to be Forgiven for our own transgressions. We only have to accept it by accepting his Son as our personal savior. It is just that simple. We have been given a wonderful book in the Bible... The Bible is a book of Gods promises to us. We just need accept the promises deep in our hearts.
I have noticed that my feelings follow somewhere behind my actions oft times at some distance. I have to do what I know God has led me to do. I have to do what's right and at some point my feelings catch up to my actions. It is a leap of faith for me as the feelings continue for a time, even as I forgive, I must do what's right and dive into the word. Feelings will follow your actions and thoughts. It is just simply that way. It's unavoidable and requires faith.
I reached a point as my connection with God began to heal where I submitted everything in my life to God. All my issues all the things I have no control over. I gave him everything my mind body and spirit. I spoke these things to him. I saw that connection heal in my own heart. It led me to a point of rejoice, happiness, and a High better than any Drug I had ever used.
God and those he surrounds me with began to teach me how to make these things sustainable. To make the happiness, rejoice, and thankfulness stick to me every day. To sustain those Positive feelings, I have to read the word. I have to read Gods promises to me (promises that are for all of us) I have to read the bible on a regular basis. I am learning that I should surround myself with people whom also follow Jesus. I need to be in fellowship (to use a churchy word). I had to continue to do these things even when those ugly feelings come flooding back. Forgive, pray, fellowship with other believers, and read the greatest book ever, the Bible. That is how we can make it new and real everyday. It is a reprogramming of the way that I think. I understand that I am not in control of things, or at least alot of things. I can't control the decisions others make. I can't change those around me. I can't make or manifest myself wealth, health, or telegraph self manifest some crazy dream world that doesn't exist. I only have control over myself. I can choose how to respond to the circumstances of life. I choose to serve Jesus. I choose to Love God with all my heart mind body and spirit.
The truth is that there is pain, and as a Christian I am no different than the non-Christian in this sense. We all have the pains of life. Just because I believe what I believe does not make me free of the pains and sufferings this world has. It is a part of life. I have been given a choice on how to handle pain, suffering and depression. Through prayer and petition make all your needs known to God. I simply talk to God. I have no prayer secrets; I have no manual on how I should pray to God. I just talk to him. I talk to him about everything. I ask for his help, and I pray for others. Praying for others gives me a selfless perspective. Jesus was the most selfless of all men. He gave his life for all of us. He gave it all. He died a horrible and painful death for you, me and everyone you know. Selflessness helps lead to a peace.
The answers for me during this darkness, sadness and depression are:
Read the Bible--- It is the owners Manual for Humans. Full of Promises that direct us to God.
Talk to God--- Pray about everything, make God your best friend, you're confidant, he will listen, he answers us.
Hang with believers--- God has put people in our lives that are there to minister to us to help guide and direct us in our walk with God. This group of people is often times called the Church. Get connected in a church. Reach out. Don't wait for others to reach out to you. Though people may reach out to you, you can guarantee that you will meet these people and foster healthy relationships, by reaching out yourself. Do not wait. Find a church, a group of like-minded believers.
Those are the things that make the feelings change. Your feelings follow your actions and your thoughts. By doing those three things above your feelings will turn around even if it takes some time for the feelings to catch up to your actions. Change your thought process. An infinite creator loves you. An infinite God that has given you more than you or I realize. Even at our lowest, we have been given much. Take time to realize what you have even if it is only the air that you breath.

Gods' grace is new every morning. I think the reason the Bible tells us that is to remind us that we need His Grace and Peace freshly every day. Its not like you receive peace, grace, and its there instantly forever. It stays there by taking action and doing the things I mentioned. Bible, Fellowship, and forgiveness.

God Loves you. You are NOT alone no matter what your situation is. He is with you and has your best interest at heart. (Romans 8:28) Don't be afraid to reach out to God, talking with him is good. Do reach out to a church. Do pick the Bible up and ask God to use it in you. Maybe even start in the beginning. Or I like what's called a "chronological bible" ...
To share just a bit more about me.... I am an addict. I don't use drugs anymore, but I tried to fill the God shaped whole in my heart with Drugs, Music, and the opposite sex. I come from a broken home my parents were divorced. My childhood was Dark. I only share these things to tell let you know you to can be free of these things. You can and will have healing, in time through Christ , and our true Godly Father. It's there for the taking. Though I stopped my addiction in its tracks, it took some time for him to heal my mind and heart. For me it has all been a process that recently went into warp speed as I SUBMITTED EVERY SINGLE THING TO GOD. When life is too much let go and let God.
Here are some resources ...

http://www.biblegateway.com/ to read or even just listen to the Bible in Audio Form

http://www.calvarychapel.com/ to find a good church near you.

http://www.box.net/public/obk4yv3sv9/rss.xml Pastor Steve Mansour sermons. He is the
pastor at my current place of fellowship, which is: http://creeksidemac.com/default.aspx

Blessings and Love by his Grace,
Your friend and Brother,

sMitty