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Post by Susan Peabody on Oct 22, 2007 17:14:40 GMT -8
Change is difficult. It means doing things that are unfamiliar and frightening. It means facing the unknown. To help with this dilemma, I suggest that people consider getting in touch with their spiritual nature ─ that "vital principle or animating force traditionally believed to be within living beings." I recommend this because somehow tapping into this rich inner resource transforms us, or alters our attitudes and feelings to the extent that we can change what we have never been able to change before. This transformation is a vital part of change.
How spirituality works is a mystery. It is something that is often observed but not necessarily understood. I have observed people overcome their fear of change with the aid of spirituality. They start out at the mercy of their old habits. They are powerless over their inner compulsions and have no strength to fight back. They habitually re-enact behavior that is self-destructive and life-threatening. Then, in a moment of agony, they call out "God help me," and somewhere deep in their soul they surrender. They admit they are powerless and they ask for help. Then, sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly, they are filled with the power of the spirit and...
⋅ They feel willing, when before they felt hesitant;
⋅ They feel courageous, when before they felt terrified;
⋅ They feel guided, when before they felt lost;
⋅ They feel loved, when before they felt abandoned;
⋅ They feel wise, when before they felt confused;
⋅ They feel hopeful, when before they felt despair;
⋅ They feel as if they are at the start of a glorious new journey, when before they felt near death.
There is more than one way to have a spiritual awakening. For some people it will happen suddenly during one dramatic moment, a moment from which there is no turning back. For others it happens slowly. Over time, they just find themselves with a new attitude about a Higher Power and spirituality. Their closed mind becomes open and curious. They pray and they feel connected to their Higher Power. Or they act "as if" a Higher Power exists, and in time they come to believe. Some people practice meditation to find a Higher Power. Others may read spiritual literature or talk to people about spirituality. Whatever they do, they must do it repetitively, and they must not give up. If they are really seeking spirituality with an open mind they will find it. If they really ask for spirituality with a humble heart, it will be given to them.
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dove
New Member
Posts: 36
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Post by dove on Jul 14, 2008 15:54:53 GMT -8
I know that God is the only way that I'll get through this pain. If I didn't have my belief in my savior i'd be worse off. I don't really feel Him working but I have to believe that He is working. Otherwise I would have no hope. I am trying to focus more on God and submit to His plan for my life. Just having a bit of trouble with having faith that He'll actually work it out for me. I guess that is part of feeling unworthy. I keep reading the psalms to find some solace. I am working on Praising during the storm.
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Post by winnie on Jul 16, 2008 11:58:19 GMT -8
my spirituality is partly through nature , something which has been made more acute by my son who has a natural affinity with animals and birds and is constantly seeing what is going on around him.
I find myself moved and overwhelmed by the force of the wind.
I take pictures of formations of clouds all the time , often stunned by the sky landscape, my family laugh in a nice way at me.
it really touches osmething in me and i often feel tremendous peace and well being.
winnie
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julie
New Member
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Post by julie on Nov 8, 2008 12:18:19 GMT -8
Dove, I would have certainly committed suicide by now if I did not have hope in God. Even though I have a difficult time really trusting him for everything, I have to - or I would not be able to endure the pain from this love addiction. Honestly, I don't know how others deal with this without God - if our only hope is in our will and our own strength, for me, that would be a scary place to be.
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godsguy
Full Member
Prayer Requests
GOD IS LOVE!
Posts: 146
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Post by godsguy on Dec 17, 2009 3:12:29 GMT -8
I envy your faith, Julie.
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vee25
Full Member
Posts: 247
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Post by vee25 on Jan 20, 2010 6:04:30 GMT -8
I feel blessed to say that i am beginning to see some of these transformations in myself and i only totally surrendered 3 weeks ago. I finally feel that life is a gift and i'm receiving so much love from the programme and from god.
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Post by loveaddicted on Feb 3, 2010 6:50:58 GMT -8
Susan,
I don't know if you know this or not but you are an amazing woman to have put this much information out there for us. Also your helpers you all are amazing women thank you for being there for all of us who are suffering. Patty
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Post by primrose on Feb 3, 2010 9:36:18 GMT -8
Would like to second that. Am very grateful all of this information is here, it's wonderful! And amazing to to able to be part of it all. Thank you Susan and to everyone who helps and contributes to the board. I really feel the difference in my recovery from being here. Primrose.
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Post by geedee on Apr 11, 2010 10:53:34 GMT -8
So honoured to be part of this fellowship.
Just back from Mass. As I just told my dear friend, the thing that stuck most was this comment:
If we keep talking we cannot hear the voice of God. Sometimes we must remain silent in order to hear His voice
I hope the silence of some of the people in this fellowship, people I now consider amongst the dearest friends I have ever had in my whole life, is due to them listening to their HP.
I prayed for us all tonight tears streaming down my face and people beside me looking at me as if I were mad.
But I don't care what people think- those tears were for me and for you and asking God to guide us and not forget about us ever. He won't ever do that but we often forget about Him.
g
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Post by miztex on Apr 13, 2010 18:52:51 GMT -8
The list at the beginning of this thread was my exact experience. I was lost, frightened, crazed, confused, felt abandoned, rejected, and wanted to die. While visiting my dying friend, I experienced the most powerful love of her family; literally surrounding her with love. The room was full of it.
Although she was in extreme pain at times, she still had her sense of humor, her faith and trust in God, and hope of eternal life. She was looking forward to seeing her momma and her husband.
I gave her a hand and foot massage, and then played harp for her. She relaxed, the pain subsided, her BP improved, and she was finally able to sleep a little. I felt power of the music from me to her. I watched her breathing and adjusted my playing to it and her BP on the monitor.
I was calm and peaceful, and I felt blessed to be able to give my music as a precious gift.
Afterwards, the entire family embraced me, thanking me for playing for her. I wanted to say "NO, thank YOU. It helped me, too!" Then she asked the nurse to help her up so that she could hug me goodbye. She introduced me to the nurse as her other daughter. I lost it. I cried tears of love and joy, and tears of loss and reconcilliation all at the same time.
After I was packed up and driving home, I prayed aloud for 6 hrs. all the way home. Prayers of thanks, prayers of forgiveness, prayers of peace, on and on. I knew I was transformed. Suddenly people started calling my cellphone and telling me after talking to me that I sounded "amazing", or "happier". I felt it and others sesnsed it immediately. I just wanted it to last!
I am home now, and still feeling uplifted(also in pain because of my bad back and too much driving). I am FULLY ENGAGED in my real life and CONNECTED to my spiritual HP at last. It feels too good for words. No obsessing, no fear, guilt, pain, game playing, etc. I am free!
Yes, I still think of my POA. I prayed for him to find peace. And this time I really meant it; with no hidden agenda. ; )
"Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I'm free at last!"
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Post by primrose on Apr 14, 2010 1:19:24 GMT -8
That's wonderful Miztex, am so happy for you that you had that experience of love. Just cried reading your post. So sad when people go, but it's almost bearable if there's love there. And it is transforming to feel it. I would have loved to hear the music you played, am sure it was beautiful. P.
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Post by geedee on Apr 14, 2010 1:31:37 GMT -8
Death is such a humbling experience. Only then do we actually understand how fragile and vulnerable we all are. And what real love is.
So happy you are having this time of serenity miztex. You deserve it.
Gabby
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Post by CodepNomore on Jan 27, 2014 4:11:21 GMT -8
I have had a painful childhood. I was molested by someone projecting an ideal father figure and perfect family image. I was also abused by a minister. I have had all the reasons to doubt God and his love for me. So for a long time, I avoided God and instead I turned to sex and jumped from one relationship to another. However, the pleasure was temporary while the excruciating pain remained in me. Until I hit the bottom when my POA rejected and dumped me and I was about to commit suicide...Someone shared to me about the amazing grace of God and his unconditional love. So now here I am a new changed person by his amazing grace.
"Amazing Grace"
John Newton (1725-1807)
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
The following stanza was written by an an anonymous author, often replacing the sixth stanza, or inserted as the fourth.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Chorus:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
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Post by loveellen on Jan 4, 2016 22:42:26 GMT -8
CodepNomoreļ¼ love this , great exepreience, and i related a lot
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