Sharing My Faith Journey with the World
Shame has really taken a hold of me and I am struggling to cast of its chains.
I know/believe that shame is not from God but I still can’t shake it off. It is really causing me pain.
To help me process this, I am going to do a little bit of a deep dive into shame in the lens of Christianity. And to remind myself that God loves me still.
I often worry that I won’t be able to handle situations that come my way. If something tough or bad happens, will I be able to handle it?
While reading Ephesians 6:17 this morning I was reminded that I have all the tools necessary to face anything with the help of Christ.
I can’t do anything on my own, but through the grace and mercy of God I can do anything. He graciously provides all the armor I need to get through the tough times.
Going forward I am going to work on submitting my anxiety to God as well as putting on the full armor of God and finding peace within in.
For pride month this year I read “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity” by James Martin, a Catholic priest. This book really put into words what I have believed for a while: I can be a believer and still support the LGBTQIA+ community.
I share some of the quotes from the book that really spoke to me.
For pride month this year I read “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity” by James Martin, a Catholic priest. This book really put into words what I have believed for a while: I can be a believer and still support the LGBTQIA+ community.
I share some of the quotes from the book that really spoke to me.
This morning I read Isaiah 22 and it was definitely a chapter I needed to read today.
In the chapter it is prophesied that Jerusalem will collapse. Instead of repenting and turning to God, the Israelites make preparations for war while singing and dancing. As described in Isaiah 22:11-
You built a reservoir between the two walls
for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it,
or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.
The Israelites were relying on their own talents and “power” to prepare for the future. And right now I feel like I am acting like the Israelites of long ago. I am worried about things to come in the future, but instead of turning to God I’m turning to my own, limited “power” and strength. I’m trying to prepare on my own.
Of course I have tried to use my own “power” to control things in the past and it never works. I have no power of my own. Any strength I have comes from God.
So when I read this chapter this morning it served as a loud reminder that I need to turn INTO God and not away from Him. I can’t do it in my own and I need Him.
Isaiah 53:5 is one of my favorite Bible verses and one I like to reflect on during the Easter season. It serves as a great reminder of my need of a savior and God’s love for me.
This verse really humbles me with a reminder that it is ME and MY SIN that nailed Jesus to the cross. I’m the reason that Jesus had to die. I’m imperfect and in need of a savior. I cannot save myself and this is hard for me to accept as someone who wants to be independent and not reliant on others. But I am always reminded how human I am and how much I need Jesus.
But Jesus WANTS to be there for me and to be my savior. So this verse also reminds me of God’s great love for me. He loves me despite my sin. He loves me so much that He sacrificed His son so that I may have eternal life with Him. His love and mercy silence me in amazement because I am so not worthy. But God views me as worthy and deserving of peace.
Going forward I need to do better at reflecting on God’s sacrifice for me and use it as a reminder to be grateful, that Jesus is there for me and that God loves me so much.
CE's Faith Journey 