What you're about to read was written by a very dear friend of ours. She's an incredible young woman and I could not have said this better myself. Whether you believe in God or not, I think many of you could use bits and pieces of this text. To the person that wrote this, thank you!! You're an inspiration to many!
This may sound a bit weird to some, so I think I should start with where I'm coming from. I'm a Christian girl in college and I was raised in a Christian household so I've always thought about God and about humans and about sin and how all those things work in life. I think my perspective is unique, everyone's is. I've been influenced by many things, but I hope that this message reaches you through the filter of what I know about the bible.
I believe all humans have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Sin is human. The two are connected at the root. Only Jesus can remove that connection, but we are still drawn to it because our flesh remembers that connection to sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). But what you do, you guys in recovery, I honestly admire it.
I told you it would sound weird. Please just hear me out, I will attempt to explain.
The brain has a self-preservation instinct. An individual cannot drown themselves, or punch themselves, not really to the extent of killing themselves. There are some forms of pain the brain will not let you do to yourself. You who cut, or burn, or self-harm in a different way, you are defying your brain, defying your human-ness. That is a breath-taking show of strength to fight your own flesh. You are so strong. You are capable of defying what the human body was made to do and not do. I just want to make sure you understand this, fully. You are very strong, your will is like iron.
Allow me to also say I am not advocating self-harm as righteousness or something like that. I am merely pointing out to you that this act shows, it proves, you are strong. I think you could use that strength in and drastically different, not self harming way.
Do you know you could fight spiritual battles with your flesh?
I know it sounds a bit weird, but there are powers in this world trying to hunt you down, using your flesh, your desires, your temptations(Ephesians 2:1-3 again) to get to you. But you can already defy that! Imagine, you could use that strength to throw off your flesh, to cast aside the things the devil wants to use to ensnare you! Part of me wishes I had that kind of strength.
I want you to look at your scars, your burns. Look at those badges of strength. Use them as a way to remember the strength God has blessed you with. Do not be ashamed of the fact that you could defy the body! Be thankful that God has shown you your strength, and use it for His glory from now on. Using it for his glory, and not for your pain, will ensure a much richer, and more fulfilling life for you. That doesn't mean it'll be easy, but that's why we have each other.
And when you feel like you don't have strength, like you've used it all, you can rest assured that God is your strength. And the RAIM community, let them be your encouragers. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-12 tells us to build each other up. I want to listen to what the bible has instructed me to do, so let me know when I can build YOU up. And I will be honest with you about when I need your kind words.
I wasn't lying earlier, I really do admire you. And I love you and care about you. Let me be there for you, so that I can show you my love is true. I will be praying for all of you. God bless.
This may sound a bit weird to some, so I think I should start with where I'm coming from. I'm a Christian girl in college and I was raised in a Christian household so I've always thought about God and about humans and about sin and how all those things work in life. I think my perspective is unique, everyone's is. I've been influenced by many things, but I hope that this message reaches you through the filter of what I know about the bible.
I believe all humans have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Sin is human. The two are connected at the root. Only Jesus can remove that connection, but we are still drawn to it because our flesh remembers that connection to sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). But what you do, you guys in recovery, I honestly admire it.
I told you it would sound weird. Please just hear me out, I will attempt to explain.
The brain has a self-preservation instinct. An individual cannot drown themselves, or punch themselves, not really to the extent of killing themselves. There are some forms of pain the brain will not let you do to yourself. You who cut, or burn, or self-harm in a different way, you are defying your brain, defying your human-ness. That is a breath-taking show of strength to fight your own flesh. You are so strong. You are capable of defying what the human body was made to do and not do. I just want to make sure you understand this, fully. You are very strong, your will is like iron.
Allow me to also say I am not advocating self-harm as righteousness or something like that. I am merely pointing out to you that this act shows, it proves, you are strong. I think you could use that strength in and drastically different, not self harming way.
Do you know you could fight spiritual battles with your flesh?
I know it sounds a bit weird, but there are powers in this world trying to hunt you down, using your flesh, your desires, your temptations(Ephesians 2:1-3 again) to get to you. But you can already defy that! Imagine, you could use that strength to throw off your flesh, to cast aside the things the devil wants to use to ensnare you! Part of me wishes I had that kind of strength.
I want you to look at your scars, your burns. Look at those badges of strength. Use them as a way to remember the strength God has blessed you with. Do not be ashamed of the fact that you could defy the body! Be thankful that God has shown you your strength, and use it for His glory from now on. Using it for his glory, and not for your pain, will ensure a much richer, and more fulfilling life for you. That doesn't mean it'll be easy, but that's why we have each other.
And when you feel like you don't have strength, like you've used it all, you can rest assured that God is your strength. And the RAIM community, let them be your encouragers. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-12 tells us to build each other up. I want to listen to what the bible has instructed me to do, so let me know when I can build YOU up. And I will be honest with you about when I need your kind words.
I wasn't lying earlier, I really do admire you. And I love you and care about you. Let me be there for you, so that I can show you my love is true. I will be praying for all of you. God bless.