[__ Prayer __] brushing off the bullies, recovery

[Christ_empowered]

So, I'm learning how to do that. And I contend with bullies everyday, in my neighborhood. They keep on screaming about "federal prison," "he's too uppity," etc.

So, I prayed that God would give me "what I need to bear up under what comes my way," and He came through for me! I put on my MP3 player and ignore the noises. No big deal.

At this point, I get it, finally...I was wretched. I get that. Not a good person by any stretch of the imagination. I'm now 30. My people have forgiven me for wasting their money (and my life, before Christ intervened). I'm "putting off the old and putting on the new," thank God.

A lot of this is just growing up. Better late than never. I didn't get to grow up on time before. Part circumstances beyond my control, part personal sin, part just stuff that happens in a fallen world when you're a "weakling."

Thankfully for me...The One True Living God heard my prayers and pleas, and now I'm...increasingly...normal. Its amazing. But my progress really angers people around here. I'm not the only one. I read that, in the 70s, lots of former mental hospital patients had a really, really rough go of things. I imagine that in states where they stil have and use mental hospitals (not my state, that's for sure), similar things *still* happen. It seems to me that being "mentally ill" is as much a social role as an actual condition. Like, I could be tolerated when I "knew my place," you know? But then..God woke me up, I got saved, and, a bit less than 2 years later...wow. One of the most hopeless, sad cases is now "in recovery."

 

[AirDancer]

Sorry to say, but until they place their lives within the loving embrace of our Lord, they will not change their ways, no matter what. They will be 'bullies' - actually, they are envious of how you have changed your life, Christ_empowered.

Continue to pray for those who are misguided in their lives, and follow our Lord's loving guidance as He leads you further into a strong Christian life!

 

[Adstar]

I hope you continue to grow. May the peace of Jesus preserve you.

 

[Edward]

Amen brother! You are not a mental patient anymore, and you're finally getting it. Airdancer's right too. (They are the mental patients) They will not change and continue their behavior, but what's that to you? You're in the Lord, and the Lord has overcome the world.

Not only are they envious of you...they probably fear you. They do not understand. People usually fear what they do not understand.

 

[Eugene]

A lot of this is just growing up. Better late than never. I didn't get to grow up on time before. Part circumstances beyond my control, part personal sin, part just stuff that happens in a fallen world when you're a "weakling."

Thankfully for me...The One True Living God heard my prayers and pleas, and now I'm...increasingly...normal. Its amazing.

This portion of your testimony is part of the recognition God takes us all through to some extent as He grows us up in Him. More than this you have taken steps to distance you from the world, and continue to put your trust in Him who is delivering you. Continue through the word to seek God's best for you as you pursue His will for your life.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Thanks for the replies. Truth is, a lot of the unpleasant stuff---then and now--was "Father-filtered," in all likelihood. There's some reason why I'm getting this level of static from people, there's some lesson to be learned as I walk with The Lord, I just...don't get it, lol...that's all.

Things could be infinitely worse for me. I could be dead and in Hell, first off. In a state mental hospital. Still estranged from my parents (there's warmth in our relationship now that was missing until very recently). I could even be made to live in shame with visible reminders of the ill effects of my sins. I scarred my follicles, for instance (ladies out there, beware: whether used at home or in the salon, hair chemicals now and then cause hair loss). Now I have too much hair, lol. I wrecked my body, especially the immune system. I had premature aging, I was sickly, etc. etc. No longer!

Now, I just gotta use my newly given raw material (health, intelligence, relative normalcy, bit of faith) to move forward in life and in my walk with The Lord. I really feel like I only now recovered from everything, and only by Christ's grace. So, I have some growing up to do.

 

[Eugene]

I have some growing up to do.

That is a truth many never learn. Eph 2:10 God's work in us continues until we are in the very presence of Christ.
1 Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

What can we do until then? 1 Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

[Edward]

That is a truth many never learn. Eph 2:10 God's work in us continues until we are in the very presence of Christ.
1 Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

What can we do until then? 1 Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Flashback to yesterday, that's the very sermon I listened to, lol. A good one too. Charity is a fancy name for love and works with faith. When you can get to the point that no one can offend you because you're so full of the love of Christ...then you'll be there and be able to see how Christ walked when he was here. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it.

A new spin on an old tale showed me that they didn't kill Christ. They couldn't. Sin brings death and Jesus was sinless so they couldn't kill Him. A close reading of the passage shows that...he gave up the ghost. Willingly. A greater love there is not, than being willing to lay down ones life for another. Your enemies even. Jesus did. Like I said, I'm not there yet, but to be able to have a heart such as this...wow, then we'd truly have the mind of Christ.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Still praying for my enemies. And forgiveness for not loving them as I should. And for what it takes to love them appropriately and stop holding on to un-forgiveness and anger and such. So far...I'm improving. Less anger, less fear, less timidity.

See, I thought that "dying to self" would require specific behaviors, actions to help become less Me and more Jesus Christ.

What I'm finding, as time goes on, is that simply praying as the Bible instructs--for your enemies, for government leader, etc.--and living out the Christian walk makes way for Jesus.

Anyway...some people are just cruel. I read @ The Barna Group website that something like 9% of Americans have a Biblical Worldview. That means that 9/10 people I deal with daily have some sort of secular, worldly worldview. With that in mind...

...its no wonder people dislike me! Flaming pill heads aren't supposed to be made whole. As is the case with so many people, God's work in my life offends peoples' worldly sensibilities.

 

[Adstar]

Still praying for my enemies. And forgiveness for not loving them as I should. And for what it takes to love them appropriately and stop holding on to un-forgiveness and anger and such. So far...I'm improving. Less anger, less fear, less timidity.

Love this. Well said.