Comments on: Self Worth and Encouraging Others

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:24:35 +0000

Speaking from experience, it’s easy to see all the negative things of this life. We don’t like the discriminations, the greed, the selfishness, and the faults of others. We don’t like others attempting to take advantageous of us because we love God. We don’t like deceit, betrayal and inconsiderate situations. We feel that we deserve to be respected, admired and wanted. We might feel that this life is hopeless because every time we try, someone or something knocks us back down. I’ve lived most of my life being indignant with this life and God.

I’ve made a very major mistake. I let the undesirables greatly over shadow the desirable things. I now also realize that I will have to work wherever I go. I expected romance to be each loving the other more. That’s usually not true. So even where I need love the most, I now realize that it won’t always be fireworks and flowers.

It’s not easy. I’ve gone in to so many situations trying to help out, fit in and be the humble one. Yet I was often betrayed and even lied upon. I can really relate to what Joseph and Paul suffered (from the family of brethren).

I now realize that God doesn’t expect me to be a fool. I really only owe God my allegiance. If the builders don’t want to build, then they should not “eat”. I can’t teach grown adult Christians to be grown adult Christians. This has lifted a major obstacle off my shoulders. God expects me to show faith in Him. God is not looking at what others do or say. He is looking at me.

God gave me a long time off. During that time he renewed me and my old possessions. My out look is now different. I recently received a hug from one of the “greatest” persons on the planet today. That hug met a lot to me. To have someone who has long time agape love for me (or you) can really go a long way.

I’m hoping my testimony inspires others to love God, their families and their associates with this unbelievable love.

But please don’t get me wrong. I already know that the world doesn’t change. Each individual person has to change.

I will soon return to a very dysfunction world that is ruled by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 4:1-10). Again, I can’t change that world. I can only react to the world’s way by the Way of Jesus.

So please pray for me. I never knew that living on this planet would be so hard.

Agape,
Colin

By: lightening

lightening — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:18:00 +0000

Lisa J - thanks for your thoughts. It continues to amaze me how many people have been afflicted by this disease at some point in their lives! Can totally relate to the “silent scream” analogy!!!! It didn’t sound like a lecture at all.

By: The Tin House

The Tin House — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:51:00 +0000

L, when I was suffering from depression (and yes, sometimes it’s a battle to keep it in the past tense), I remember very well trying to tell people quite close to me about it, but feeling as if I was stuck in a dream where you scream for help but nothing comes out of your mouth. Sound familiar? Hold on there girl and remember that part of the gift of charity, is a kind of kindness to ones self. As well…..I’m sure your therapist has suggested you try to reprogramme that internal monologue that constantly suggests “everyone else” is doing ok, then I must be able to cope as well. You are not everyone else. You’re your own precious self and few of us rarely grasp the pressures at work on other people whose lives appear, on the surface at least, to be happy and stable. I know this sounds like a mini-lecture, but it’s not meant to be. Just take care you don’t overload the wagon. Lisa J x

By: lightening

lightening — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:19:00 +0000

Meg - yes, the tall poppy syndrome. We get jealous so easily don’t we? Well, not we personally but generally as a culture. I wonder if it’s related to our own sense of worth in that seeing someone succeed reduces it in some way. Or perhaps it’s a “heritage” thing. Between the convicts who were treated like second class citizens in England and the Aboriginal people who were treated like animals, it’s hard to build a heritage of “we all matter”. I think we’re getting there but we have to keep fighting.

David and Trey - you’re most welcome. The tree is available for “stealing” by any and all. LOL. After all, that’s how I got mine. Perhaps we should call it “sharing”.

By: TREY MORGAN

TREY MORGAN — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:07:00 +0000

I like your Christmas Tree. I’m going to try and get it too. Thanks

By: David Kirk

David Kirk — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:48:00 +0000

Stole your Christmas tree!

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:09:00 +0000

This is a great post. I think you’re spot on that people don’t necessarily have it as together as they might make it seem. Everyone’s dysfunctional in some way. Some people are just more upfront about it than others. Then of course there’s the tall poppy syndrome that many Aussies fall prey too, which is really sad.

You, Kelley and others make blogging fun (kinda reminds me of a song…) and espouse the true meaning of community, giving and encouragement. And of course the gift of a smile

By: lightening

lightening — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:36:00 +0000

Rose - what a fantastic community you must be part of. Dealing with a house burning down would have to be pretty rough! I’m glad you had some good support.

Kelley - you don’t make me smile, you make me laugh the house down. You have a gift and it’s wonderful that you sure it in blogging. Not everyone can turn the things that you face each day into such a humorous post. You’re amazing girl!

Amy - we are all so busy pretending that we’re something that we’re not aren’t we. It’s kind of funny how underneath most of us are as insecure as one another. It’s like the depression. I couldn’t believe how many people have come out of the woodwork since I’ve been diagnosed. I get stopped by old ladies in the supermarket and all sorts! It’s time we blew the lid off all this “falseness” and learnt that’s it’s okay to be real and it’s okay not to be perfect.

Beth - thank you! You inspire me. I so appreciate your willingness to share.

By: Ellie B

Ellie B — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:31:00 +0000

I think one reason I have trouble accepting help from other people is I start to think that they think I don’t have everything together! Funny once I wrote that down it sounded really silly but that’s how it is.
So in the same way I’m cautious of offering help in case people perceive it as my way of saying I could do something better or that they are uncapable of doing whatever it is by themselves.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:17:00 +0000

Thanks again for today's installment, Lightening. I am taking great encouragement from the reflection and experiences of others generated by your post.You are so articulate.

Joy list for ME today is:
1. The red beautiful flowers that I saw in bloom on my way to work this morning.
2. Seeing my boys at swimming lessons this afternoon. Their faces beamed at the encouragement they received from one of the male teachers. "He called me a champion, Mum!"
3. A hug received from a lady I met through my work. I took the time to listen and she felt heard.
That hug was such an affirmation for me.
4. Losing 600g of weight this week (whilst addressing my demon self esteem issues and cheering myself on instead of berating myself).

My bringing JOY to others list:
1.Thanking my boys teacher for all her work with my twins this year.
2.Sending an SMS to a friend who is soon to have a baby.
3.Encouraging my friend Kate through a difficult parenting moment.
4.Thanking my hubbie for cleaning the kitchen.

I find that noticing sources of joy takes practice. Encouraging my children provides encouragement for me as I find negatives soooo much easier to find (without really looking). Finding and creating joy is a daily decision and I am hoping that it becomes as automatic for me as the alternative.

Here's to JOY!! I wish you all success in embracing its gifts (just take baby-steps). Thank you all for your encouragement!!