[__ Prayer __] "So Long Self": Testimonies Of Christ's Power To Change Us

[Hidden In Him]

This thread is partly to share testimonies about the changes God has made in your life for the better, and partly also therapeutic and reflective, in that it's a way to look back and see how He has been working in your life.

The impetus for this thread is a song someone reminded me of recently, which I haven't stopped thinking about since. Back when Mercy Me was starting to gain notoriety on the Christian music scene, they noticed themselves beginning to get a little full of it, and more self-centered and self-consumed. So they wrote a song about leaving their more self-serving side behind. In the video, their uglier traits were jokingly on display. One was dictatorial (:30+), one covetous (i.e. a "bean-counter" at :38), and one was hyper-critical of others (1:05). The darker selves mock their Christian counterparts throughout as being "goody-two-shoes" types, but the meaning of the song was that they recognized their old man needed to be put away and replaced with a manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ operating in and through them instead.

So for those who have had a born again experience, How has God changed your behavior, from the way you were before you got saved to the way you are now?

I will provide a limited version of my own testimony below.

Blessings In Christ,
Hidden In Him

Hidden In Him:
Before coming to Christ, I used others to get what I was seeking to attain in life. Now I seek to use no one for my own gain or self-advancement. I simply try to help those God brings me in contact with to become the best versions of themselves they can, and purely for their own sake.

Before coming to Christ, I was unfaithful. Now I am fully committed to the woman I married. I have my faults and my weakness, but unfaithfulness is not one of them.

Before coming to Christ, I was given to dark spirituality, and likely would have increasingly used occult practices to achieve the ends I was after. Now I dedicate myself to seeking to be a vessel for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that I minister to others rather than take from them.

If you have instances of how the Spirit of God has changed your life and character, please post them.
- H

 

[Christ_empowered]

I’ve been saved for 10 years now. I’m genuinely mellow now not an angry broken wretch.

I’m more grateful and less entitled. I’m learning to look to God for approval not man.

Despite my community wide labels my actual psychiatric symptoms are vastly improved. Put off the old put on the new…

 

[Hidden In Him]

I’ve been saved for 10 years now. I’m genuinely mellow now not an angry broken wretch.

I’m more grateful and less entitled. I’m learning to look to God for approval not man.

Despite my community wide labels my actual psychiatric symptoms are vastly improved. Put off the old put on the new…

You know, brother, the more we had to overcome in this life, the greater our rewards will be in Heaven. It's what Paul meant by the words, "let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own burden." (Galatians 6:4-5).

Proud of you for enduring a rather tough life; tougher than mine.

God bless, and thanks for responding.

 

[for_his_glory]

My short version of a life of misery from physical and mental abuse and how the power of Christ overwhelmed me with the greatest love I had never known before. God never promised we will not go through trials and tribulations, as God's grace is sufficient in times of need as when we are weak He is strong and helps us to endure what life can throw against us.

MY TESTIMONY
May 18th 1997

I am lost, confused and scared. Will I ever fit in anywhere in this life? I'm hurting, but who cares. I'm lonely and all alone within myself. I've been so used and abused. Where and when will it be my turn! Where are the open arms to hold me and hug me, to tell me I do matter in this life! Where is the voice to calm my tears of pain? I give and give, but nothing gives back in return. I'm mad and angry for what has been taken away from me! How do I go on? I search for God to answer my needs, but never get an answer.

I am a voice that cries out in the wilderness. Will no one listen! Will no one care! I feel like I am invisible at times and when I pray I feel my prayers are falling on deaf ears. I know God loves me. He has rescued me from death and destruction. He has rescued me from wanting to commit suicide. I have never opened my feelings with anyone except God. I have purged and purged until I cannot cry anymore. God has forgiven and forgot my past, how do I! I've been told I am strong and can handle my situations, guess what, I am not strong and I can't handle it anymore! Please God help me!

I am now ready to open up. I can't deal with the pain anymore. I want to let loose and completely die to myself and live for God. I'm asking for total deliverance of all the holds Satan has on me. I'm tired of fighting this on my own. I'm tired of Satan laughing at me and making me feel like nothing and always coming against me. Jesus, save me from my torment! You have called me into service and I am not ready. Lord God please perform a complete deliverance in me. Make my feet straight for what you are calling me to do. Show me how to do your will. Lord you know my heart and you know what I feel I need to do. Open that door and prepare me away.

This is the answer God gave me. When you cry out to him, he will hear you and speak to your heart. You might not like the answer he gives you, but if you really listen it is always the right answer.​

11 Kings 5:10, 11

But Naaman was wroth and went away and said, Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place and recover the leper.

God was showing me in the above scripture the beginning of relying solely on him and not what man could do for me. I was going from church to church trying to fit in with the people. I was trying to find answers and help for myself through the recognition of man. All that got me was more disappointment and frustration. When I learned to give myself totally over to the Lord and rely on him alone and his word is when my life completely changed for the better. Now I serve God with a glad heart and praise him for all his wonderful blessings.

Pray that this helps others.

















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[Christ_empowered]

Dying to self in Christ has done more for me than the mental health industry ever did…