Have you ever taken one of those assessments, tests or inventories that you may find in a magazine, WebMD or online? One where they are trying to diagnosis why you are the way you are. They ask all kinds of questions regarding what you think about yourself, others and your worldview. There are psychology assessments, great tools like the Myers Briggs or the SDI Training our church uses, that enable people to understand things about others, especially in conflict. Learning about ourselves and others is a never ending study. Let’s face it; there is a lot to learn!
Well, I have put together some questions myself, things I hear in my office each day from people who are searching for ways to break out of their dysfunctional patterns of thinking that inevitably lead to dysfunctional patterns of behaving.
Have you ever thought:
I don’t know how long I can go on like this.
Am I the only weird, messed up one that thinks and feels like I do?
No one would like me if they really got to know me.
People don’t really mean the nice things they say to me.
I don’t know who I am.
Why am I here on earth?
I cannot go on one more day.
I’m done.
I am afraid of myself and what I may do.
I need something to medicate this pain I am in.
No one really can understand my pain.
They would be better off without me around.
What’s the use in trying because I will just mess it up again.
Do you find yourself feeling:
Confused about your life
Angry and sad a lot
Lonely
Misunderstood
Useless
Unworthy and guilty
Unfulfilled
Carrying Shame
Embarrassed
Hopeless
Scared
Do you find yourself:
Isolating
Medicating with drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, gambling, eating, self harm
Eating disorders
Cutting
Suicide attempts
Practicing dangerous behaviors
Prostitution
Dabbling in the demonic
I want YOU to know, if you say yes to any of the above behaviors or others not mentioned here, there is a someone named JESUS who loves YOU and made YOU for a reason. HE CAN and WANTS TO BREAK THE CHAINS THAT ARE KEEPING YOU IN BONDAGE.
I believe this blog is for someone. I didn’t know I was going to write on this today, but God said, “Do it!” so I am doing it. If you are reading this and read through to the end, thank you. If you need help, you can call the church at 856-696-3444 or me at 856-305-9086.
There is HOPE and His Name is Jesus.
The Bible says this:
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:25-26 (NLT)
—Lois Robinson