General Faith And Ptsd

[Tinyflame]

I've heard it said before "The bruised, the lonely, the broken-hearted- that is God's family". Or something like that.

 

[SeekingSerenity]

I think God has a special place in his heart for people who are hurting, who are broken, who know they need him.

I like to believe this too...

And God will never burden us with more than we can carry.

 

[The Albatross]

That may be, but I sure do struggle with the lifting and stagger under the weight at times. I have to work hard to focus on the direction and path I am chosing to traverse than the weight or effort of the burden I am carrying. It's the only way I can move forward. I got this one this week and it helped me alot:

"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1

 

[Tinyflame]

Ya, I didn't want to 'bring anybody down' but it was never quite my experience with that one either, Alby, so you are not alone.

 

[SeekingSerenity]

When we find that our cross is too heavy to bear, THATS when we get reminded that we should have asked for help. I just think that it's God's way of reminding us that He is there for us. We tend to forget that sometimes when we get all caught up in our lives... I know I do it all the time.

 

[Tinyflame]

No SS, I've talked and prayed and tried to stick 'with' and 'to' God non-stop for more than 25 years, in fact closer to 40. I've pleaded for help, to no avail.

 

[Tinyflame]

Well, sometimes there's been help, sometimes not. In some ways I don't bother asking any more.

 

[The Albatross]

Sometimes there that pesky "thorn" that Reb0rn mentioned... and I got to bend my mind to the last part of the Scripture quoted: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Trying to mind bend finding delight in all those things? One tough nut. But if I can have gladness (and gratitude) for my weaknesses so that Christ's power can rest on me? Thats one heck of a promise. I'm all in.

 

[SeekingSerenity]

Junebug, I don't know how to answer you. My Faith isn't strong enough either. I'm sorry. :(

 

[Tinyflame]

Also, I should say it is (my) I guess 'trust' issue. I am sure God 'knows what He's doing', or what He has planned, but I just don't think 'feelings' are much of a priority.
But, 'God is ('a') God', whereas I am just a 'person'- and there's a whole world of people out there who need more than I do, so, that's that.

 

[Tinyflame]

That's ok SS, doesn't matter, everyone's (or their experiences/ relationships) are different.

 

[The Albatross]

I know I struggle at times with the trust issue... most often, when I feel God doesn't care or is busy, I am cut off from Him. He didn't move away, I did. His character didn't change, mine did. When I can dare to trust again, and rejoin the relationship, He is there and waiting for me. When I first came back to the faith, I spent three years studying godly character. It helped me to learn and understand more of the importance of the right attitude of my thoughts and feelings. I don't know how to respond better and don't want to sound like a theologian or saint, because I'm not. Just another flawed traveller trying to pick her way through the minefield of life and lean on a God who claims me in my doctrine as His, and tells me that my struggles are best used for His purposes... and that it will all be worth it in the end.

That is enough for me... it cultivates a sense of divine order and purpose, and it makes me personally responsible to rule my thoughts and feelings and temper my words. To be my better self in as much as I am able, and trust that in so doing there will be blessings large and small. I don't know how to explain how I committed to the decision though.