Christianity Oasis Member Forum & Chat Room

Well, here I am...starting out on day 1 of this journey. I have been encouraged by several people from this site...especially momo & pine to give the counseling a shot (after all...what do I have to lose??). I thought about that alot last night and realized that there is alot of truth in that statement.

I took some time to just read the opening comments of day one of this counseling journey and in it discovered several truths that I really hadn't given much thought to. I wanted to share those and perhaps it will help or encourage someone else.

1. Faith is yours! It can't leave you. Nobody can take it. It can, however, be hidden deep within by you and only you, due to past experiences which resulted in anger, doubt, fear, pride and pain. This pain causes us to create our own spiritual walls...a castle if you will, which we create around us. We protect ourselves from ever feeling the pain from past experiences again.

Well...i thought about just this paragraph and I realized that i am really lacking in faith (but that is my fault). I would appreciate prayers that I will re-discover this faith. That i can have the faith of a child and to believe it in my heart.

I also realized too just how large this wall is that I have built around myself as a means of protection. That no matter how hard people try to help I continue to keep this wall up. Pray that this wall will be broken down.

2. Problems have a way of keeping us from being ourselves. The Lord wants the REAL you back again, because when you're not yourself, you drift away from family, friends and even HIM too.

Well...how true this statement is. I definitely can't doubt that i have drifted away from everyone including God. Praying that going thru this will help me to deal with those PROBLEMS and find the real ME again.

3. He died on the Cross for you, so why is it so hard to believe that He would do anything to have His child back?

Hmmm...I never really thought about that. I definitely have alot of work to do here don't I!!

Well...i guess this is a start. Thanks for the encouragement to start this journey because after all...what do i have to lose? Thanks momo and pine and several others (sorry if i forgot specific names) but you know who you are!! for all the encouragement and messages!

Shannon

PS...ChristianOasis....thanks for encouraging me to change my name!

Hey Shannon
Woo Hoo! I'm so thrilled hearing what you absorbed out of the day one!

The Holy Spirit is working miracles in you already.

GB! Sending up more prayers.

Wantedddddddd!!!!!! (aka Shannonnnnnnnn)

Nice to "see" you again! Your post got me thinking too... actually remembering the importance of faith to tear down our walls. Gets easier with time and constant focus...

The REAL point you made is so true! God does not have opportunity to refine us if we are going around trying to fake others out, holding stuff in, or denying our strengths and gifts. You'll find out more about those as you go along

Your #3 there is what it all boils down to... sounds simple, but we tend to make it so complex with everything else in our world that butts in. Trust that you will come to know our Father and this truth more and more as you walk this journey...

Hope to get to chat with you again soon... hit me up if you are led... God bless you, Shannon

Susi

Iwanted, welcome to Oasis, really like the name change. Know the feeling very well, so glad to see you doing this chat program. Just want you to know you're in my heart and prayers are going up for you.

Lord Bless you dearly Iwanted
angeltears

Welcome to the counseling steps iwanted2die. You've now taken a step towards Hope...and how very happy Jesus is

You know when we get to the point where we aren't sure which direction to go...the pathway is often right before us with a sign lit up pointing the direction...yet I think we hesitate because we are unsure or afraid. But God does not want us to be afraid...He wants us to trust Him...but that's even hard when we are hurting so very much. With Hope sis...you are opening a doorway that will allow you to heal from the hurt, and to take you up out of the past and bring you to where God wants you to be. Those walls you have built sis...remind me of the walls I once built. It's like being wrapped up in a cocoon and not only can people not get in...but you can't get out...therefore your trapped inside the walls you've built. Bringing those walls down sis...will help you become the beautiful butterfly that Jesus knows you are....one brick at a time though sis...one step at a time....

God is very patient sis...and He wants to heal you. God will do anything to have you back close to Him...He loves you very much.

Praying for you sis. I love the new name change.

Take care and God Bless

woohooo!! love the name change!

God bless you sis as you walk this journey. There are so many things the Lord wants to show you...especiall how much He loves you. There are going to be some steps in this that will be difficult, but know that they are not impossible. With Christ, all things are possible. Draw in His strength, sis. He is with you always and He loves you more than life, itself.

Walking with you in this. love you much and praying with you.

in Jesus,
love momo

Wanted yes I too love the name change. Sounds like maybe your faith is being somewhat restored now. So glad to see you reaching out and doing the steps. Also glad to have you here with us at Oasis.
Hope your journey is a good one and that you can find the Jesus that you are searching for.
Keep reaching!

thanks pine for the message. I got off to a good start this morning (well actually about mid-morning on this). I have noticed that as I get into the middle afternoon hours my mood and emotions tend to take a nose dive.

I wanted to take a few minutes and reply to you. Appreciate your prayers and your comments.

Shannon

Hello

I wanted to take a few minutes to get a reply out to your message. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me and for keeping in touch. I know this is going to be a tough journey but a much needed one. I have realized that I definitely need to begin to break down those walls and learn to quit wearing a mask and a fake smile.

Again thanks for your prayers and thoughts!

Shannon

thank you for the message. I wanted to take the time to send you a quick note. Appreciate your prayers.

Shannon

Thank you so much for posting your comments and thoughts. I appreciate you sharing with me. I think not only is it important for the walls to be torn down but also for me to learn to trust again.

Things seemed to be going good this morning when i was working on this but once i reach the middle afternoon hours my emtions and mood seems to decline rapidly.

thanks again!

Shannon

hi there. thanks for the message and words of encouragement. I appreciate that very much along with you helping me along this journey. It seems that i have alot to learn about god, faith, trust, breaking down walls, etc. I seemed to be doing ok this morning when working on this. now that the middle afternoon hours are here my emotions and mood seem to take a nose dive.

anyways..wanted to send you a note. thanks!

Shannon