Reading this chapter made me cringe. When I noticed that happening I had to check my heart. This chapter really tested me and I was tempted to ignore the truth and good that was within it. Romans 12:5 says," So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." I realized that I was struggling with this chapter all due to the past hurts and doubts. I can't rely on myself? I can't do this alone? I have no prob asking my girlfriends to help me out but asking my guy friends is another story! God showed me I lack trust. I'm learning that when I fully trust God, then I can trust others. Pray with me that I can increase in my trust of God.
What Community Provides:
1) Community reminds us of reality.
2) Community provides protection (I'll get back to this one)
3) Community provides accountability.
So ya, I fear community because I fear messing up. I'm afraid I'll mess up and that my community will blame or judge me for it. I've always believed that everything that went wrong was my fault. I've never had community be involved in my relationships before.
I think of when I tried to do it on my own. I've always relied upon myself to protect myself. People that needed to protect me were the one thing I needed protection from. Who could I reach out to when the very people that should've been providing protection were the ones I needed safety from. I had the concept of God but didn't know His love because I didn't experience it through these men in my life. Praise God that now I have a thriving relationship with Him and a good relationship with my father. I will admit, it is thriving but the trust is hard to have. God never meant for me to be unprotected or for me to be my own protector.
Ladies, if a man wants to ask you to be his girlfriend, make sure he ask your dad first before he pours out to you how he feels about you. Thats the first sign that he wants to protect you. Second, make sure he has other men to keep him accountable in mind before you get together. Third, make sure you have spiritual brothers and fathers to protect you in your relationship that you can trust. If your father is a Christian he should be the first person you ask. So, I've resolved to go to dinner with my dad in a week or so. I love him so much and want to give him the chances he deserves. Forgiveness isn't just saying "I forgive you" its me showing it by allowing him to protect me...and I know he wants to. I've seen times when I've tried to do things on my own and the outcome has just been horrible. I'm done with that, I'm trying something new. I have already started the process of asking approved men in my life to be my spiritual protectors. It means being vulnerable and being vulnerable is scary, especially with the opposite sex. So pray with me as I make a decision of what men are to be my protectors. This isn't easy its very hard because it means opening up a part of your heart to the men in your life, it means trusting.
Just as your wedding will be a community event, let the journey be one too.
-To Hear Him Sing-
What Community Provides:
1) Community reminds us of reality.
2) Community provides protection (I'll get back to this one)
3) Community provides accountability.
So ya, I fear community because I fear messing up. I'm afraid I'll mess up and that my community will blame or judge me for it. I've always believed that everything that went wrong was my fault. I've never had community be involved in my relationships before.
I think of when I tried to do it on my own. I've always relied upon myself to protect myself. People that needed to protect me were the one thing I needed protection from. Who could I reach out to when the very people that should've been providing protection were the ones I needed safety from. I had the concept of God but didn't know His love because I didn't experience it through these men in my life. Praise God that now I have a thriving relationship with Him and a good relationship with my father. I will admit, it is thriving but the trust is hard to have. God never meant for me to be unprotected or for me to be my own protector.
Ladies, if a man wants to ask you to be his girlfriend, make sure he ask your dad first before he pours out to you how he feels about you. Thats the first sign that he wants to protect you. Second, make sure he has other men to keep him accountable in mind before you get together. Third, make sure you have spiritual brothers and fathers to protect you in your relationship that you can trust. If your father is a Christian he should be the first person you ask. So, I've resolved to go to dinner with my dad in a week or so. I love him so much and want to give him the chances he deserves. Forgiveness isn't just saying "I forgive you" its me showing it by allowing him to protect me...and I know he wants to. I've seen times when I've tried to do things on my own and the outcome has just been horrible. I'm done with that, I'm trying something new. I have already started the process of asking approved men in my life to be my spiritual protectors. It means being vulnerable and being vulnerable is scary, especially with the opposite sex. So pray with me as I make a decision of what men are to be my protectors. This isn't easy its very hard because it means opening up a part of your heart to the men in your life, it means trusting.
Just as your wedding will be a community event, let the journey be one too.
-To Hear Him Sing-
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