EMOTIONAL WHOLENESS

This is a topic that can go many ways. However, I am choosing as a basis, the  biblical worldview along with insights from secular mental health. Both have validity. Both help in the process of Emotional Wholeness.  

I recently attended a webinar put on by SAMSHA (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) which covered this very issue. The need for faith communities to connect with mental health providers and vice versa in order to be better equipped at reaching the millions of Americans dealing with some level of emotional / mental health issue. 

You see, the term mental health distracts us from the fact that some parts of a persons  issues are emotional however are connected to their thoughts (mental). And, some of the mental issues, especially diagnosable mental disorders, are connected to the physical, meaning the brain and it's chemical activity. And some come in the form of actual physical sickness when not properly addressed and/ or treated from an emotional/mental/spiritual perspective. Some issues are spiritual in nature that then affect the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of a person. 

Much of this information requires educational awareness from these different entities and directed at different populations of society for understanding, respect, and positive action to be implemented. This is what I appreciated about the SAMSHA webinar. The spiritual (and again, my worldview is biblical), secular mental or behavioral health, and related medical aspects are important to be understood and addressed. Often, we overlook all of the possibilities of a persons emotional problems because we are narrow minded or shortsighted because of our beliefs, area of expertise, or limited understanding. 

Emotional Wholeness means being emotionally healthy. Healthy brings to us the connotation of being healed. All of us at one time or another suffer an emotional crisis; a death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a church, work, friend or family betrayal, failed attempts at what we see as success, disappointments of various kinds or fear and anxiety due to the pressures of life or realities of terrorism and war. 

All of these and other items can produce emotional distress and cause a temporary period of emotional duress. Some people process through it in a healthy manner and come out stronger having learned their capacity to cope in a healthy manner at deeper levels. Others respond by engaging negative coping mechanisms which if activated for too long become a destruction force to their emotional well being. Even though seeking assistance when dealing with an emotional issue is warranted, it is especially recommended when negative ways of coping continue. 

Each of us, unless there truly is an untreatable brain disorder (which is questionable by those who believe in consistent soaking prayer), has the capacity for emotional problems. Grief, anger, anxiety, bitterness, resentment, rejection, sadness, depression, ungodly, negative or irrational thinking, unforgiveness, relationship issues, and the list can go on, introduce themselves to all of us at varying times of life. To address them (deal with them) is essential to Emotional Wholeness. Not dealing with them in an appropriate and healthy manner leads to our own demise, very subtlety. 

Many of us carry with us, from our backgrounds, pride that we can handle it by ourselves. Or, we subconsciously believe that if we share the truth about our emotional pain and/or our ungodly, negative, irrational thinking (use the term that you are most comfortable with), or slang, "stinkin' thinkin," that we will be looked upon negatively. This is when it is recommended that you seek out someone, (even a friend or family member) whom will be confidential. All mental health providers and pastoral counselor's or church leaders (should) are held to a vow of confidentiality. 

Some people don't really recognize that they have an emotional issue, only that they tend not to get along with a number of people or don't have friends or end up in arguments and fights more often than most people, or keep starting a romantic relationship that never blossoms into a keeper, unfortunately blaming the other person or people. 

Emotional Wholeness is your potential! It is possible! It may take a while, depending on your personal issues. But, aren't you worth it? Or is worthiness your issue? My purpose in this writing is as usual, to help you. To suggest that you think through your life and issues, to think about yourself. Then to assess where you are and decide whether you are emotionally whole. Also, to decide that if you do have some unresolved issues, how will you handle them. 

Lastly, let me say this, we need to stop judging each other the way that we do and realize that everyone is dealing with something, or has or will. And that the issues of our lives, though unknown to everyone, may in fact be affecting a person causing a particular attitude or response. That this is probably not their norm or is only their norm because of unaddressed emotional issues. Have compassion and empathy (put yourself in someone else's shoes) and pray for them. Say a kind word to them. Encourage them regardless as to their attitude, words or behavior. If you cannot do this, accept the fact that you, too, have emotional or spiritual issues that need to be addressed, then address them. 

We all need some help in some aspect of our lives. God made us to need one another and even commands us to help / love one another. Let's change our world by working on changing ourselves. Then being more willing to be a complement to others rather than bringing wounding to the wounded. 

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

It's quite amazing to me how God works in our lives. Often, we do not recognize that He is at work. At times, we can or do look back and see how He was at work when, obnoxiously, we may have thought that it was our intelligence, wisdom, gifts, etc., that caused some beautiful thing to happen. We tend to pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments, not fully giving the credit to the One who created us and gives us the ability and strength to do what we do. 

Be this motherhood, fathering children, doing well in our careers, or simply helping someone in some way. Many of us also tag dollars to what proves we are successful or numbers of people we reach through our efforts. Even though these things count for something, without God in the mix, they are nothing. 

Being used of God to help others become spiritually mature while I am in the process of becoming spiritually mature also amazes me. Granted, spiritual maturity is a lifelong process. All of us are at different levels, stages, or dimensions of our spiritual maturity. And even more amazing, we are more mature in some areas of life than in others. The danger in this is that we might think we are very mature all around because of some areas of spiritual maturity. That is, because of only some issues, attitudes or behaviors in which we have indeed "grown up." 

I am grateful that God has been working in me. When I say this, I say it through hindsight. Much of my spiritual maturity has come thorough some kind of pain, conflict, problem, issues, whatever term you choose to use. At the time, I could not see that He was doing some work in me. Whatever the situations that I was experiencing were more real to me than what God may have been trying to show me, teach me, or cleanse out of me. 

As a result of life events and of trials, the anointing of God and the wisdom of God come through me in ways that super amaze me! Even though I have had the opportunity, and still do, to receive training and learn skills for helping others receive emotional healing and/or become spiritually mature, God works through me for each person, couple, family or group in their situation in ways that I am often not cognizant of. My goal, however, is to yield to Him and allow His Spirit to have way as I am in the presence of others. 

To the credit of the many exceptional churches, ministries, ministers, family and friends that I have had the opportunity to glean from, I have learned that spending time with God and in His Word, no matter what is going on in my life (or what is not that I wish was going on) is of utmost importance. So, as problems, etcetera, arise in my life, I spend time with God, I seek Him for comfort, for peace and for understanding. Through these "precious moments" He instills in me things that turn into spiritual maturity. He then uses these "revelations" or "new learnings" to share with others in a variety of ways, one being counseling and also, through writing or speaking. 

Through all these words, what I am hoping you got is that for you to become spiritually mature (and remember, this is a lifelong training), you must spend time getting to know or better know God through prayer and the reading/revelation found in His Word (the Bible). This is not a process that you can engage always alone. You will need others to help you along the way. Whether it is through church, ministries, ministers, family, and friends or even through counseling. To become spiritually mature you need others. You need solo time with The Lord God and you need to learn from and interact with others. I hope and pray that you take this to heart and that in some way it helps you to be intentional about your spiritual maturity.

As an old friend of mine used to always say (Nancy Alcorn of Mercy Ministries of America), "so there you have it!"

DO NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT

I was led by the Spirit of God to this passage:

" Now your impurity is lewdness, because I have tried to cleanse you

but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be

clean again until my wrath against you has subsided. 

I, the Lord have spoken: The time has come for Me to  act. 

I will not hold back; I will not have pity nor will I relent. You will be 

judged according to your conduct and actions, declares the Lord."

Ezekiel 24:13-14

What was in my spirit prior to reading this Holy Spirit led to word, was "there is a war going on, an actual war between the Republicans and Democrats, Governor Romney and President Obama. The warriors are out."  It was like a scene before my eyes where the public could only see the minimal ugliness of the war, being deceived to think that their chosen party or presidential candidate was good. But in reality, behind the scenes, an all out ugly, mean, evil war is taking place. Both parties equally engaged. Immediately, I began to pray. This is what I prayed (perhaps you will join me in this prayer):

Oh Lord! My Father God! I pray for my country, the United States of America. I pray Lord, for Your grace. I know that You have extended Your mercy and grace for us for a long time and that You have been holding back for that reason. Lord, You have a remnant of Your people here in America who do love You and have chosen to walk in Your ways. Who do not curse their brethren, who do not take political sides, but clearly see You and have chosen You! Will You not relent on our behalf Lord? Will You intervene and only cause Your wrath to come to those who chose not to fear You as God?

Please Lord, reveal Yourself to those who are at the critical and strategic places in this inner American war. Cause them to see that You are God. If they ignore You this time Lord, spare those who have chosen and will choose You. Allow those of us who fear You to have an open opportunity to proclaim You and Your ways! Give us the platform, the funds, the favor and open doors to proclaim You without compromise, and totally separated from politics, political parties and political shenanigans! Lord, Your will be done! Hear my prayer and others crying out to You for the United States of America! Let Your Spirit of Unity begin to operate and flow amongst the people who have chosen You as their God and Lord and recognize You as Creator and Sustainer of all things. Forgive us for complacency.

I am praying out of finite thinking and seeing, Lord, You know all things. So if it be Your will, this word that You spoke to me, so be it, Lord. Only make ways for Your children, those who have not turned to the left or the right, but whose eyes and hearts are on You. In Jesus' Name I cry to You! AMEN

(Numbers 20:17; Deuteronomy 2:27, 5:32, 17:11; Joshua 1;7, 23:6; 2 Chronicles 34:2;  Proverbs 4:27; Isaiah 30:12)

Disclaimer: This is not to suggest that you not vote, however it is a suggestion to consider your allegiance. Is it to God or a political party?

Success vs. Purpose

Read March 5, Oswald Chambers Devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. I can add no better words to this, except to reiterate: your success is being led by the Spirit of Almighty God into His will and purpose for your life and bringing that to fulfillment by never giving up! Trust God to the end, no matter how hard it hurts, He promises to never leave you and has a destined end that is far greater than what you can comprehend!

Www.Utmost.org

GENUINE CHRISTIANITY

Is there such a thing? What does it mean to be genuine? And, what does it mean to be Christian!?

In a conversation with a dear friend over the concern of some Believers who act out worldliness or live according to human standards then the disappointment it produces in other Believers, I heard myself say, "people are looking for genuine Christianity."

Immediately after saying those words, I knew that I needed to listen to the Holy Spirit for clarification; for an exposition on those words. And, a requirement to write what I would hear and learn from Him.

Then, I heard the words from Scripture that were spoken by our Lord; "Who do men say that I am?" Peter was the follower with the correct answer. Not because he himself really knew the answer. The answer was revealed to him by the Spirit of God! "You are Christ, the Son of God"

Jesus' response to Peter helps us to gage the importance of this Q & A. Unless the Holy Spirit reveals to men, that Jesus is Christ, very connected to Almighty God and on assignment by Him on this earth, we will miss our connection to and assignment because of Jesus that comes through the Holy Spirit from God.

Christ. The word Christian comes out of this word. "Little Christs," is what Christian means. But, what about Christ? What does His name mean? If we are little Him, it is of utmost urgency and importance to know what that means! Then, of equal urgency and importance is to "be" what it means!

So, Christ means "Messiah," The Deliverer. He came to deliver mankind from a condition that only He had the ability to deliver them/us from. Sin. Sin is a transgression from Divine Law. The man Adam transgressed upsetting mankind's eternal propensity. But, when Jesus came to the earth, died on the Cross, arose on the third day, and went back to the Father, He did all of this to deliver mankind from this eternal propensity, also called sin, bringing man into right standing with Almighty God, if we chose to accept.

Without getting gooky or heretical, we must get the revelation that we, who have accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, are here to deliver others from this eternal propensity, sin, through our connection with Jesus Christ. This, my fellow Christian, is our assignment. How we engage the assignment must come through us being genuine. Meaning, being true to who we are in Christ! Being true to what the Word from our Lord says about us. Free from pretense and hypocrisy; really being sincere! Not a counterfeit, but the real deal!

This is what marked Peter. He was the real deal. Though he may have looked too impulsive to some, Peter loved our Lord and was sold out to Him. This was a heart fertile for a revelation from God. I imagine that God knew that He could trust Peter to blurt out the revelation of Truth that came to Him and to live it out.

Don't you want to be like Peter? Sold out to the Lord, without pretense or hypocrisy, (until the circumstances of the Cross), and so sincere that he acted in immediacy regarding our Lord!

At least at this juncture in the journey he was totally real and very expressive. And even though this quality was later tested, we know that Peter came through. He was sold out for our Lord all the days of his life, delivering many, even to this day, from the awful propensity toward a sinful existence and eternity.

There's much more that I could say, but I'm sure you get the gist. What actually is this life about? What actually is your life about? Is it about you, yours, and a little bit for the Lord? Or, are you sold out? Are you a "deliverer?"

Voices: Whose is Influencing You?

Recently, I watched House of Payne, a Tyler Perry sitcom. The husband on the show, Curtis, while sleeping on the living room sofa, thought that he heard the audible voice of God speaking directly to him. He heard "the voice" tell him to study the Word of God and to live out what it says. He was so impacted by the direction that he received from " the voice" that he found his Bible and vowed to read it from front to back. Afterward, he sat his wife down to inform her of what he had heard and how their lives would be changed as a result. He agreed to begin attending church with his wife as a part of his new way of life. He was very committed to this new pursuit, though very bothersome to his family and friends, until he learned that "the voice" was a TV infomercial. At that, he ended his pursuit of God and declared that he was returning to his "evil ways," as he described his life before God's Word became priority. All of us are influenced by some outside voice or voices. The influence is determined by the degree that we either give our time and/or attention to them, or to the degree of ignorance (literal meaning: not knowing) that we are seeped in about the impact of these voices. What voice or voices influence your life either knowingly or unknowingly? Is it the sexualized society that's promoted all throughout the day in so many ways, subtlety to explicitly? Or, is it conservative, liberal, humanistic or socialistic viewpoints? Could it be religious denominations or political parties? Or, is it the bling of the rich and famous or the local drug dealer? Is it status and prestige or having influential positions or titles of distinction? What influences you? If your five senses are in operation, as a human being, you will be influenced by some voice. If you do not choose "the voice" that will influence/give direction for your life, you may end up being led in directions not necessarily good for you. "There is a way that seems right to man, but the end leads to destruction." (Proverbs) Though Curtis, the character in the Tyler Perry sitcom did not continue to follow "the voice" when he realized that it was not God Himself speaking to him, we can learn something from this episode. The truth is that studying/learning the Bible, God's Word, is the influence that will help us toward a life that is good and lead us in the right direction. And, I didn't say that you would not have challenges. As we choose to study the Bible, we get to know God, and ironically, as we take the Word in and meditate on it, we get to see and know ourselves more clearly. It also helps us in our decision making and gives us the grace we need to live a life that brings us a sense of peace and joy. Whether at work, home, a sports activity, or recreational events, the Word we study and learn remains within us inspiring our actions and our relationships. Some say, "how do I do this or that? What about academics, science, psychology, or the medical field? The bible doesn't help with any of that!" The amazing thing about studying God's Word, is that as you consistently give time to it, reading and meditating, you will recognize that you have a better understanding in many aspects and arenas of life and are in a position of making wise choices. It doesn't happen over night, though. It takes consistent attention and obedience to it; doing what it says. And this is a choice that you make. "Choose between life or death, blessings or cursing." (Deuteronomy) Make a good decision today. Pay attention to what "voice" you are giving your time and attention to. If it is not the Word of God, know that you are on a shaky path. Choosing God and His Word as your "Voice" of Influence places you on a path that leads to a better way of life; living God's way, living a blessed life. It also helps us in choosing how to handle our business (as the saying goes) and our problems. And, receiving Jesus Christ, God's Son as your Savior and Lord, will give you eternal life (the greater life), to enjoy for eternity!

PREGNANT AGAIN

I am pregnant again.

This time I didn't want to be,

But the baby that was placed in me

In years that have gone by

Never saw the birthing room

Its fruition never came.

But just when I had lost the Hope,

lost vision, and almost completely let it go,

The Lord spoke and said,

" Try it again. This is My time. This time My Way.

This time you will bring this baby to the birthing room

and see it become full grown."

So, I am pregnant again,

But not carrying the same.

This time I chose to put the baby

Completely in His hands,

He is the Master of my life

He is the Giver of this seed

He is the One who will bring it through

All the way to birth

then multiplied into many more.

I am pregnant again and soon

you, me, we all will see

The plan and purpose of God for me

not invisbile or delayed instead

being completely fulfilled;

Me accomplishing everything that

He has put inside of me.

By Rosalind M. Stanley

Inspired by WTAL 2010