Christianity Oasis Forum

[Guest]

Hi sis 1st, be proud of yourself for doing what you're doing. For taking these steps and pushing through them. For confessing and asking questions. God is working with you.
I've struggled with a lot of the stuff you are. And prayer was always a difficult thing for me as well. I just kept asking God to teach me to pray. I asked that He would help me understand prayer and to be able to pray and know that He actually is there listening, caring. He's taught me that when you pray, it doesn't have to be elaborate and fancy. You don't have to say it a certain way or with a certain tone of voice. Just say what you feel, tell Him your heart, and be sincere. You can be comfortable with Him. Talk to Him the way that you're talking to everyone else on this post. Just like all the people on here, God will listen to every word with a loving spirit that wants to help you. You were afraid to start posting this stuff but you did it anyway right? You stepped out on faith. Do the same with praying. He accepts you and what you feel. He understands you because He made you and knows you. He loves you no matter what and all the more when you go to Him with your needs. Even if you start praying with doubt or fear, start by asking Him to take that away. He'll give you peace.
I'm sorry this is long and I hope it helps you at all. GB I have faith in you that you can get through this. I'll be praying for you along the way. It isn't easy but it is possible. It'll be worth it in the end, don't lose hope. Love you!

[smalltowngirl743]

Hi Tigerlily...

I had to quit reading the posts here when you got to step 7 because I'm not there yet. But, oh my goodness! Your writings have touched me so much. We are so alike in our feelings...and in our problems as well! I've also had a problem with masturbation on and off for 27 years now, so I can relate to that. Also, I too, often have trouble praying. I know exactly what you mean when you say that something inside of you is stopping you. I told a friend here, that whenever I felt like praying, it seemed like there was a big rock in my chest...big and heavy...that just kept me from it.

One of the replies here, suggested that perhaps it was fear of the unknown that kept you from moving forward easily. I think that is true of myself. Sometimes we get so used to the way we do things...even a bad routine...that we're afraid to change it. I often wonder what it's like to be happy and full of God's love, like many others here seem to be. I can't feel Him around me, but I know He's there because people tell me He is...plus I do believe it too.

Tigerlily, I just want for you to know that you have blessed me with these posts. I couldn't believe it when I began reading and saw so much of myself in you. You are very brave, and I'm so very proud of you for going through these steps. You give me the courage I need to continue as well.

Please know this: you have value...you have worth...you are a good person...and God loves you very much. Believe me...He has already used you in a good way by helping me!

Blessings to you dear one...

[xxJILLxx]

lily


i loves u sis

please know u remain in my prayers and thoughts

Gbu sis

♥Jill

[splash]

Hi Tiger Sis,
You said a few times you don't feel like your prayers are effective. Is it possible that you're harboring unforgiveness in your heart? Is there someone who you've been able to forgive? Could it be yourself? Unforgiveness hinders prayers.
Love ya,
Splashi

[tigerlily]

Im guessing that I haven't forgiven my sister yet, everytime i talk to her my defenses go up, and im scared she'll say something to bring me down again.

Do i need to go over the the councelling steps again or move onto the next set?

[mlg]

aha lily so now you know the root that's holding you back...unforgiveness towards your sister. Time to really start working at handing it all over to Jesus and letting it go.

As far as going over the steps again or moving forward...what do you think would be best for you? Do as your heart leads.

luv ya sis

[Dora]

I agree with mlg Tigerlily. Follow that still small voice.

If you choose to move on, come back to this step.

Take care sis.
God bless.

[tigerlily]

I feel like im going crazy insdie my own head, in a world where theres to put their arm around me, someone to look after me and someone to protect me, someone who;ll always be there , ill get close to someone ive been chatting to for a while and they'll become that someone in my dreams but eventually they'll tire of me and have better things to do and move on with their lives leaving me behind trapped in some wierd place inside my head, it'll be like some kind of internal torture for me everytime a peron leaves becasue of what its costs me to get close to them in the first place, which doesn't make any sense becasue its always lies and pretence anyway, maybe its better if i runaway and remain distant peorple, For fear of been rejected becasue of who i am? I dont even know who that person is anymore, I remember, her, being happy and carefree and running away everywhere , the only time i ever catch a glimpse of her is at summer camp and then its like a week out of someone elses life and back home it all feels like a dream, if anyone ever sees her catch her and tell her to come back what happened to me? wjy do i now have to worry about how i look? what size i am? what im wearing? what im doing? why do i always hate what i see? Why does there have to be tv and magazines telling us we should do this, be like that, popstars and actors and fame, it doesn't just just affect the famous but everyone else as well as it seems to set standards of what people should be like, what people shouldwear? If anyone one is anything less it seems they're not good enough, we all seem to aspire to there people, to the relationships all the ooks and movies talk about, when in reality its nothing like that, anyone who doesn't meet with todays standards are as outcasts and picked on and bullied and i hate it .

But theres something in the back of my head thats saying Jesus is who we should aspire to be like but it doesnt seem o be any comfort to I still sit here and sob in the fear of having to face up to facing the battle along and being alone, because now ive learnt that no friend will be there for me when they say or that promises they make to me will be broken what ts the point of holding onto false hopes because there isn't any ... i guess cos where all human,

and im guessing now you all think im a little crazy :p

[xxJILLxx]

nah i dont think yr crazy

as christians we are not to be conformed of this world. We are not of this world but merely just passing through.

i know how it is to battle with what society believs we should look like what we should wear etc etc. But i am so thankful God accepts me just as i am. And truly He is the only one we should be aiming to please.

Sis i know its hard but we are here to help. before you pray read a few scriptures this may help in preparing you. and pour your heart out to God and let him know you are having difficulty praying He is faithful to help u and bring the words to you. Put on some praise and worship music , even if u just pick a psalm from the bible and use that as yr prayer to Him to get things started. Invite the Holy Spirit to help u in your prayer life.

forgive all those who have hurt u sis. Forgivng doesnt mean that what they did was justified but it frees you from the trap it can keep u in. Its for u sis.

sis keep doing the steps as He leads u
Gbu

♥Jil

[mlg]

tiger my sis neeehhh don't think your crazy...think your just as normal as anyone who is hurting. Ya know sis, Jesus wants to be our truest and best friend. When people don't have time for us, and we feel lonely, He wants to be the comforting friend we turn to. Sometimes we make friends with people, and we start to turn to them more than we turn to Jesus, and it really can't be that way. A friend is an addition to the friendship we should have with Jesus. He has to be our first friend above all others. So that when we are upset and lonely, He wants us to come to Him first...not someone else. Work on making Jesus your first friend sis.

Also, as far as looks and the way we dress etc. Well God expresses in the Bible exactly how a woman should dress, and He says it should be modest. So what you see on tv and in magazines is the ways of how the world thinks we all should dress and look...but check out the Bible for the True way to dress.

Keep sharing sis.

luv ya

[Guest]

I think everyone struggles with this, I know I have. Don't ever think that you're not good enough, that's a lie. God made you on purpose and He loves you just the way you are. What the world thinks doesn't matter. Their idea of beauty and perfection is completely backwards. No matter what anyone says, know that you are a beautiful and perfect creation of God, and He doesn't make junk!

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Don't listen to the enemies lies about you. You ARE wonderful and beautiful. You don't have to please the world by looking a certain way; worry about pleasing the Lord by acting like Him. He's perfect and so if we strive to be like Him, we'll be as perfect as we can be.
A song came to mind; Perfect People by Natalie Grant. You can listen to it on my profile, I think it's like the last song.
God Bless u sis! Continuing with you in prayer. May God show you who you are in Him. Jesus loves you and so do I

[lizzie]

Im betting there were many who thought Jesus was crazy

And He was... to the world, cuz the world was knee deep in sin and couldnt , wouldnt, see past their ways.

We arent of the world, what they consider to be right, we know in our hearts is not. So its a good thing to be 'different' from the world, if 'different' is following the Lord.

But as u said, even tho the world speaks to you trying to get you to conform, you still hear the voice of God, trying to lead you into His truth. If you will listen, you will find peace.

It truly isnt about friends or family being there or not being there cuz no one can be there 24/7... except One. It is about learning to become dependant on the Lord. He is the ONLY one who can be there for us every single time we need Him and our dependance must be on Him.

You are not facing the battle alone. You KNOW you have many friends who are there to encourage you and support you as you go on. But it is only YOU who can take action to overcome in your own personal battles. No one else can do that for you lils.

Love u lils keep pushing ahead