Can anyone help me? anyone have a religion or church?

[Supervixn]

Wow, I feel kind of embarrassed ^^. I was just looking how to cope, get through the day(s), and I kind of feel it's just been/ is a relationship, one from which I find a source of strength/ coping/ courage. But put that way, when I think about it, it's kind of (very) egotistical of me to not include I should be learning.

Oh, no, not at all! Nothing like that! Nothing to be embarassed about. Youre humbling yourself by seeking God in the first place! I think the learning part comes naturally as we explore things; I have a Bible that I really should be studying but I for some selfish reason have been too intimidated to begin studying (I'm still confused as to why). Maybe I'm too lazy to read now from listening to YouTube, haha. I've got to dedicate myself to spending time in the word and I'll get there.

Anything that brings you closer to God is a good thing. Whatever the intent. I listened to a testimony from a surgeon who was so annoyed by his Christian neighbors and their faith that he bought a Bible and began reading it for the sole purpose of finding arguments against their faith. That's when his heart changed and instead of finding arguments, he found peace and spirituality. Mysterious ways I tell ya...

 

[Tinyflame]

Dear @Supervixn thank you.

That's sweet, yes I'm sure God has a sense of humour. :);)

Actually, I'm kind of uncomfortable thinking of something as a spiritual journey, in the way that to me, separating spirituality in relation to people is like separating white from rice, 'spiritual journey' & 'life' are the same. At least with my 'self', and I imagine in many others (including many who are atheist and agnostic, though they don't define much of what they do as spiritual, and it is, especially caring for and about others).

I heard a brilliant person speak- I am only baseline so may have got it wrong, but they said what I already thought but tied it together in a way I hadn't: That basically it is our challenge to accept God's love.

And ultimately, it follows to me, that we are (potentially) the face of God to others. Because I have found, for eg, if I'm forgiven when I shouldn't be, I want to forgive others (and owe them that).

And like that saying I guess- can't remember who?- Aristotle or Plato?, ~'love makes the lover and the loved one look alike'. (My dog has big ears.. :eek:.. ;) :inlove: ) So we get to look, maybe, a little more like God 'is' through our choices and actions.

However, not too long afterwards it came to me, JMHE but I do wonder when we do not or have not had things irl, or perhaps more so when we've had the opposite, if for some of us it is never quite possible. Even trying or knowing. Because one can know something, but not be able to conceptualize it, or maybe a better word is 'feel' it/ be able to ever believe it in an applicable way, when treated the opposite. Which is something apart from self-esteem and partly from self-worth, I think. We can try to imagine God that way, or have to, I would think, or we are at the mercy of people. But really, when love, trustworthiness, forgiveness etc etc, have no face irl- the faces are neglect, rage, rejection, betrayal, blame, abuse, etc- Idk if all of us can get past that, despite trying very hard. Not me I don't think, anyway. That doesn't, however, reflect on who or how God is.

 

[Treaty]

I know this is a shot in the dark, but wondering if anyone goes to a church, what their religion is, and...

I like Buddhist thought. I find people in those groups often seem to batting many of the same things I battle. Like anger or frustrations. I feel like it's the best context in which to view ptsd because ptsd is such an organic illness and I just feel like all the elements that go into trauma are easier to understand in a naturalist way. It just seems like everyone's focus is to be a better person.

But that might seem far out there so I would really really really like to recommend checking out a unitarian or universalist church. I used to attend one and the people were awesome. It's very inclusive and so it creates a very supportive environment. It seems to attract more like brainy females too I feel like. Maybe you could just add it to what you are already doing. Like hold your believes but just utilize the community.

 

[Lionheart]

I really like what @Treaty had to say and I like Buddhist thought as well. Although I think of it as being spiritual and not necessarily religious, it has helped me a lot with my own struggles.

I do not attend church per say as I see the world as my church, but I do like to read and compare positive religious and spiritual thoughts. I like to look for the common denominators of all positive religious and spiritual belief...Which basically state love the Creator, love ourselves and love one another and don't hurt others.

I consider my beliefs to most closely match those of a Universalist Christian. That is to say that I basically believe that almost everyone, will eventually, through a process of purification and consciousness return to oneness with the Creator.

Here is a link to more information about Christian Universalism.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Universalism

I have explored a lot of religious and spiritual thought, such as Zen Buddhism, nature based religions such as Wicca, Native American Medicine Ways, Paganism, Atheism, Agnosticism, Christianity, Catholicism etc., etc. even the Satanic church, but I find that I vibrate most harmoniously with Christian Universalism.

However, I have to point out that this only happened for me after many years of trauma work and soul-searching.

I hope that I answered your questions and that this is somehow helpful to you @Junebug , and I hope that you find peace, love and harmony both within yourself and in the universe.

Lion

 

[Treaty]

I really like what @Treaty had to say and I like Buddhist thought as well. Altho...

The more I think about it the more I think Unitarian Universalists would be agood match. Also the poster is obviously a really cool person. Poster you should be in a community that doesn’t just have you but appreciates you. Please check out one of their events. I feel like it might be a good match.

This non edit button stuff is killing me.
But also I was just going to say I never make friends. But at that Unitarian church I instantly felt a connection to quite a few people. It was very unique for me. especially with women.

 

[Ann Barry]

I know this is a shot in the dark, but wondering if anyone goes to a church, what their religion is, and...

just saying: We're born alone, die alone & walk with God alone - not totally or literally, but mostly. Being a member of a church can help OR hinder your connection to God & depends on many variables. Just like anywhere else in the world, there are good & bad people in churches. just "beware of wolves in sheep's clothing"!
I'm a strong Believer. I'm a far from perfect Follower. I vote "NO" to The Institutional Church. I believe, follow, worship & practice Christianity Outside of the walls of any church, so I'm NOT Under any pastor's rules.
You may want to look into "Celebrate Recovery".

 

[Tinyflame]

Thank you both @Treaty and @Lionheart777 ! :hug::hug:

Idk much about it, but yes I believe in inclusivity and peace-(seeking).

I am coming to learn more and in doing so understand a wee bit better, as regards beliefs, I cannot imagine abandoning some of them, regardless of if I headed in a different direction. But I think we are all like that, and if anyone could actually imagine all there is to, -well impossible. (I often think, the next round might be as different as this life is vs in the womb- and hence we can't imagine the questions- ('What do you mean I'll share my space with others- AND THERE'S NO WATER?? ':eek:;):roflmao: )

I'm at a loss for words (or proper thoughts) today. :confused: I would miss receiving communion. :( I do get what I consider 'sensible' answers- mostly (irl, I mean), if I have the guts to ask (and from knowledgeable, sensible people).

I can't quite recall- thought surely it would stick with me :confused::(- but in my 'mind's ear' I heard something brief a few days ago, like 'just show up'. I actually forgot about it until I read a quote accidentally yesterday under a puzzle in the newspaper (thought, 'look', and so I took it out of the recycling at work to see), it said:

'Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up & try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.' (Anne Lamont)

It seems to attract more like brainy females too I feel like.

This is so cute ^^, not sure if I'd qualify. :p I almost typed 'qute'. Seriously. :roflmao:

I hope that you find peace, love and harmony both within yourself and in the universe.

What a beautiful thing to say ^^ :notworthy::inlove:. Thank you, and to you as well! :) :inlove:

Thank you both. :hug::hug::hug::hug:

Ps, unrelated but, I think one thing I know is ptsd surely complicates a lot! :(

 

[Tinyflame]

Celebrate Recovery"

Yes, someone mentioned that, thank you!

Yes funny you should say, though I wan't thinking about it in regards to church, but rather 'trust', a few days ago I saw someone say , ~ be careful who you share with. I have trouble with trust, but I feel badly about thinking badly of others. That' a wise reminder though- especially if they appear out of nowhere and are- what's the word?- too ~'helpful'? Not quite right but it will have to do.

What I did think then though, all experiences considered, is some people are wolves in sheep's clothing- but some people are 'sheep' (sounds derogatory- it's not), I mean they are good people.

Yikes, hope that makes sense. :rolleyes:

 

[Treaty]

Okay.

Thank you both @Treaty and @Lionheart777 ! :hug::hug:

Idk much abo...

Sorry, I used to be a member here years ago and I got excited when I saw your name. I can’t remember specifics just that I had a good opinion of you. So I guess no UU church. Well if you’re going to be a good human being anywhere you can do that is going to help the thing you’re associated with.

But I still think UU would be cool.

 

[Tinyflame]

Thank you @Treaty , nothing to be sorry for! :hug: (I have dear friends that are UU, btw :) )

Well tbh, I just looked and I posted this Dec 3rd, and you know with ptsd that is a world away in time! * :confused:

* ETA- it came to me- Eiy! That ^^ may not be 'ptsd' thing, but a 'me' thing! :rolleyes: , oye. My 'time' gets all jumbled, a longer time can feel shorter, and a shorter time longer. The sense of a fore-shortened future was always there, but this is a different thing.

I have asked myself many questions: what am I looking for? What do I want, fear, need, expect? I think how and who we are, how we live and treat others, should be the same, no matter. In some ways I long to feel at peace, or to rest- perhaps to 'belong'. I fear I don't myself bring 'goodness' or good to the lives of those around me, the closer the worse it is/ will be. I need, ideally, what can sustain me, if it were a perfect world it would be where I could trust and not fear. I expect that could never be the case.

I suppose I've had enough doubt, fear, triggers, abuse, to last me a lifetime. I realize much of what is lacking is lacking within myself. But it's hard sometimes to trust, to choose, to 'show up'.

So in some ways like T.S. Elliott (?) I think said, ~"I arrived where I began and knew the place for the first time".

The only place I've had help was through church, and I believe God (and here). That doesn't change I'm still living in a heightened state of fear most of the time, still waiting for the next trauma, still ever-unsure to what degree my past colors my thoughts or affects my perceptions, still leaves me uneasy as to my own burdensomeness or toxicity. I've improved in all those areas. But if I'm honest every minute comes with (nearly always and everywhere) a feeling of the next shock or trauma is inevitable and hovering. And that feels like an axe over my head- a terrible vulnerable feeling, because I know Idk, I don't control anything, I am responsible for not influencing others negatively as regards myself, my baggage is my own, people can't be trusted (I'm trying but everyone is human and I am of no consequence much to anyone), there's much fear showing up or being at all visible anywhere. The trying is so hard. I am so tired. I don't want to be the person I am, but Idk how to change it (me).

 

[blackemerald1]

You do sound so tired @Junebug. I really acknowledge & understand this journey you/me we are on. So much of your last response is me all too.
I went to a local Protestant church last week. It was hard walking in... but the 'place' held peace within it. The people were very nice.. maybe a little curious about me but they accepted I had little to say & I came away 'renewed'. Sounds silly to write that but is how it felt.
Love & peace within & without..
b1

 

[Tinyflame]

Aw @blackemerald1 , how very sweet you are :notworthy::inlove::hug::hug:, thank you.

No not silly at all. In fact it just reminds me, many years ago I felt / thought an 'oasis'. Exactly what I meant but you had the words.

Trying as we speak to resist the temptation I 'must' call back work (or worry about it :nailbiting::meh:) for the 2nd time they've called today, my day off and in our collective agreement not to. :meh:

It reminds me of something else, that was said, (Bernie Siegel) , ~life = love is the bricks, laughter the mortar.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug: to you :inlove:.