Christianity Oasis Forum

[lyl1114]

Wow...this study TOTALLY nailed it!!

This study was totally for me. I started the day off great but as day progressed my spirit was very down. I am physically tired and drained so I just thought that was it. But I had a TERRIBLE thought about my child today...about hurting her. IT WAS TERRIBLE. and I couldn't shake it off...and then it snowballed into a BIG depression. I let my anger out towards my children. I felt so horrible...until I GOT myself in here to do the stepping stone. I didn't want to but I dragged myself in here. So glad the HOLY SPIRIT lead me here.

Trials and tribulations...that I am very familiar with. Grew up holding onto Jesus when times were tough, and there were WAAAAYYYY too many tough times, in my opinion. and then I just grew accustomed to my dreadful life. There are days I can see the TRUTH. There are days when my carnal self just cannot stand it and wallow in my self pity. Life right now is hard. Feel like I am getting hit from left and right. My husband and I always say, when it rains, it pours for us. But I am reminded again that we should rejoice in our trials and tribulations! and an opportunity to show our faith.
Today's thought was so bad that I tried to justify that I would NEVER think that. and the truth is, I DIDN'T, because it was from the enemy. I should have just weeded it out as soon as it entered my mind's garden. Now I know, and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities to practice weeding out the lies.

I loved reading about Paul's description (romans 7:15-25) of original sin. Yes, he totally took the words right out of my mouth. I am not the only one feeling like I failed and beating myself over it. And the important thing is realize we are gonna fail but we have JESUS who is the savior, who will help us overcome.

It feels crappy to fall and hard to dust myself off and get up again. But knowing Jesus is holding my hand is very very comforting.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me and not giving up on me. Help me to look to YOU always.

[JohnR]

Ditto, from my last post to you. Wow, it just seems like we are both in the same place right now. The surcumstances may be difference but the results are the same, depression bought on by the enemy's attacks!!! Thanks for reminding me that we must do the work & support each other.
God Bless

Keep on Prayin!!!

[grandma dolittle]

John and lyl,
A few years ago,I had all kinds of problems and worked two jobs to keep my head above water. It seemed everytime I thought I would make it, something came along and kicked my feet out from under me. A friend told me that I was like a piece of steel that God had to stick in the furnace to get me hot enought that he could mold me into what he wants me to be . Because I am not what he wants yet, he periodically sticks me back in the flames. That was twenty-five years ago and I am still being stuck in the furnace because I am not true steel yet. I figure when he has made me into true steel, then I will see heaven.

Paul said to thank God for our trials because they send us to our knees and keep us closer to God. He wants a tried and true Christian, not a luke warm Christian... those he said in Rev that he will spew out of his mouth. Sometimes, it is hard to say thank you for a bill you can't pay or a flat tire, but God know best, not us.

[JohnR]

So So True!!! Thank you for reminding us we serve an awesome God who love us & knows what's best. The way I've been acting lately I really feel the fool. But I'm God's Fool & He Loves Me!
I Love You All
I Can't Tell Ya How Much Your Love & Support Mean to Me... Even When I Act The Fool.
Thank You for Reminding Me of the TRUTH!!
God Bless

Keep on Prayin! It Works!

[dema]

You talk about hurting your child, but I imagine you are talking about picking her up and paddling her little bottom. She is two. I think all mothers think of things like that. And it used to be totally acceptable - recommended in fact - to do just that. It seems to me that if something raised millions of children successfully, that you really should be able to talk yourself out of the guilt.

It isn't socially acceptable anymore to spank kids in public. But sometimes I think it may keep them safe - sticking forks in electrical outlets and things like that.

It is hard to punish a two year old with time outs when it means you largely have to hold her in a bear hug or hold her down in a chair by the shoulders while she cries and squirms.

A hint - if you are absolutely consistent, it helps tremendously. If you ever say "No" and then don't enforce it, the child will test you 10 or more times afterwards. If you ever let her up from time out while she is still squirming, she will squirm for years. Make her be still for two minutes before you let her up - every time. So, what do you do when you are just too tired? You don't say "no". You can say, "Please quit that honey." and then if she doesn't and you don't do anything, it won't undermine the next time you say "No". But if you ever use that n word - you stick to it to the death. (I'm talking yours here - not hers )

If you will do that, after about 10 episodes where you enforce no - ten in a row - life will get easier. But it has to be every single time. If you let her get away with defying no, then you have to start all over on that ten in a row to get relief.

If you are too tired to enforce, then don't say it. Really. Let her paint the wall with her poop or play with the crystal glasses if you aren't going to really stick with that no.

A related hint - don't say no to everything. Pick your battles. Will it really hurt anything if she walks on the sofa in her stocking feet? If she makes a mountain of the sofa pillows and jumps in it? If your inlaws say no, then let them enforce it. Particularly if you think it is silly. Or you can say, "I wish you wouldn't do that sweetie." She'll figure that one out really fast. When you say, "I wish you wouldn't do that" it means that you aren't going to take her side against her grandparents, but you really don't agree with them. That she is on her own with this one. But when you say "No" - you mean it and she is going to lose.

Try it - I bet it makes things a lot easier in about a week. But you have to suffer through that week. Sorry - just the way it is.