Is anyone else having a challenge of doing things scriptural, verses what the secular world says. As in scripture says to put others before me whereas the secular world says put me first. I know what is right, just wondering if others may struggle with this. And how do we mourn the loss of ourselves without sinking into depression? How do we have joy in the midst of our trials and tribulations? It seems that as time passes my patience doesn't hurt as much, (must be experience), but still everyday I start wearing down where my patience begins to hurt a little and I am struggling not to let it be seen. I spend a lot of time in prayer and in the word, that is the only way I have the strength to do this, putting myself aside. But as a faulty human being, I am still in a struggle and seek like minded individuals who understand. May God bless all those who are loving their loved ones to the best of their ability.
2 Corinthians 3:5
The man I talked about is also a pastor and I've had very helpful talks with him before. :)
Yes, we have all been like Martha in our lives, haven’t we? To strive to be more like Mary is admirable.
Let me explain my thoughts if I can.
I am working on being more obedient. Which in turn requires sacrifice on my part. I am trying to be more like Mary than Martha. To sit at the feet of Jesus more. We often stand above HIM rather than sit at HIS feet.
We allow ourselves to get too busy to pray, to search and study the scriptures, to meditate on the word. We can just allow all the cares of the world, including being entertained, and doing what makes us feel good, that we totally can forget about Jesus. Martha was so concerned with this and that ( I am such a Martha), and Mary was concerned with what was most important, Jesus. I am trying to be a Mary, to sit at Jesus feet and not stand over HIM by putting myself and everyone else and everything else above HIM. So in order for me to sit at Jesus feet and to be obedient in loving HIM with all my heart, mind and soul, I will have to sacrifice what my flesh wants and do what my Spirit needs. And my Spirit Hungers for HIM. Yet I do not feed my Spirit as oft as I wish. I must sacrifice my routine to gain a new routine that involves giving HIM my firstfruits, not my leftovers.
Anyway this may not make sense. But these are the things I am working on and am praying on.
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mark 12:33
That’s a start. It’s a good first step.
Thank you. I am trying to think of someone I can talk to. Actually, there is a man at church whom I've talked with before who I know is willing to listen, but the problem is finding the time when he's available. When my life calms down from other things and I am more settled in my own life, other than mum business, I will talk to him about it
You’re right. We do have to look at the entire picture. Thanks.
Look at examples of people who clearly do both, obedient and willing to sacrifice. Abraham comes to my mind. Thoughts?
Don’t we sometimes have to be willing to sacrifice in order to be obedient?
I am not trying to be contrary in my attitude or be a pain in the butt with my questions, hahaha. I’m sure that I am at times.
I’m one of those obnoxious ‘deep thinkers.’
But I totally understand that. That guilt feeling restricts us from doing things for ourselves, and well lot of things.
I am not sure yet how to overcome that. It could be a matter of ignoring we are not in charge of the happiness of others. The happiness of others is their choice. And they can find that in Jesus.
So maybe if we can get that through our heads, that it is not up to me to make happiness for this person. Maybe we will rid ourselves of this guilt.
If we are loving and caring to the best of our ability in Christ, then we have nothing to feel guilty about.
Easier said than done. I know all these things, i believe all these things, but my flesh gets in my way.
So let us pray about it and wait on the Lord to change it for us, and if HIS will is not to remove that from us, then let us trust that HE will see us through, and that HE is working it all out for our good.
This is a hard labor of love, and only with God's help can we do this as well as possible.
Keep looking up, HE has your answers.
Trivia answer for previous question:
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:45
Trivia: What is better than sacrifice?
I will lay my heavy burdens down
In the stillness I can hear my Savior calling out
Come to me and lay your burdens down
So I will lay down my struggles
I will lay down my shame
All the fear I drag around through this life
like a ball and chain
(All my questions and confusion)
I will sing Hallelujah to the One who sets me free
And you will find me at the feet of Jesus
In the arms of Jesus I will find my peace and rest
I hear him calling come to me and rest
Carried by my shepherd cradled tightly to His chest
There and there alone my soul finds rest
So I will rest in the shelter of my Savior's embrace
Hidden safely in the refuge of His mercy and His Grace
And I Will Sing Hallelujah to the One who sets me free
And you will find me in the arms of Jesus
At the feet of my Savior
At the feet of my King
I will bow down and worship
I will lift my voice and sing
Hallelujah Hallelujah to the One who sets me free
Chris Tomlin
You will find me at the feet of Jesus
Obviously you care for your mom deeply. I admire that. You know deep in your heart that you don’t have any reason to feel guilty because you show love, care and concern for her. I have a feeling women struggle with issues more than men do. I totally appreciate my husband’s sensible logic. He grounds me.
I am glad to see that you recognize the importance of taking the time that you need to nourish yourself. A car doesn’t run on empty. We bring it to the service station to buy gas. So continue to feed your soul. It’s not just a desire of your heart but a true need so you can keep on keeping on. Hugs!
I do turn the phone off--lots, until I feel guilty and call her, letting myself in for criticism as well as all the same gripes I've turned the phone off to avoid in the first place.
How about turn the phone off? Tell mom to call 911 if it is a real emergency and not telling or explaining everything to her? That's one way to have your own life.
That’s a common reaction among children. You’re not alone. Of course you are entitled to a life of your own. Enjoy your Friday evening out and catch up with mom later.
I have the same problem. As an example, I had a Christian event on Friday night, and was positive that mum would call while I was out. sure enough, she did. I felt guilty for not being home, even though she only wanted to "chat". But I also felt that I'm not allowed to have a life, just in case she calls while I'm out and expects me to be home. It's annoying to have to explain everything I do (which isn't much that she'd be interested in, even at the best of times; she's more likely to criticise) or to provide excitement for her so that she can live vicariously through me.
"Cast your care on the Lord for he cares for you." is one verse. 1Peter 5:7 also the one about the ever lasting arms and he heals the broken hearted (Ps. 147:3) HTH
O taste and see that The Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
Psalms 34:7 & 8 KJV
May that be my testimony all the days of my life.
Names always amaze me. They tend to go in cycles. There are trends. People change the spelling to be different too. Some people name their children the most unusual names. Seems to be another trend and not just among celebrities.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.
Psalms 118:14
Then I feel peaceful and hopeful. I pray that all who are struggling this day find comfort and joy in knowing that HE is our salvation. God bless and keep all of you.
Trivia answer:
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.Esther 2:7
Any sacrifice we make is absolutely nothing compared to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. So let us see it that way as nothing. Meaning let us not think it too hard to make sacrifices for our loved ones, which is also for Jesus.
Trivia: Who was Zaphnathpaaneah, in relation to Israel(Jacob)?