Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Daily Journal for The Recovery From Religious Abuse Day 17

Today starts a new day; I realize that I have been abused by religion. It took me through Day 8, 9 before I realized this, but I am glad I did. You can go back to see my comments on Day 8 and 9 to see what I am speaking of. I am taking the time to do the exercises as outlined in the book; Recovering From Religious Abuse, 11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom written by: Jack Watts. While I know that hurt and abuse as described and presented in the book are two different things, I have come to the understanding that in regards to taking advantage of me I have in fact been abused. I will admit, one of my greatest concerns is I may have at times abused religion. I don’t think I have but this journey will help me understand where I am at and in the process help others as I journal each day with the steps outlined in the book.

I hate pity parties, but I have to admit, at times I seem to have thrown the biggest pity parties ever along with the world’s smallest violin. I have to wonder, does the complaining, does the pity help in the relationships I need. As I have just written about some of that, I also realize the need to move on, but it isn’t easy, in fact, it is pretty stinking hard. I have to remember the verse for the day though:

Jeremiah 29:11 (Contemporary English Version)
I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.

I have to focus on the future, not the past. I can’t forget the past, but I can’t dwell on the past, I need to dwell on the things God has for me. At that point, I I can begin to see a new horizon, a horizon filled with hope as opposed to despair.

I ask others that are reading this, to journey with me, help me, if you think I am throwing a pity party in something I write, or if you think I am dwelling on the past for misery sake; please, say something to me. I am not talking about when I challenge others or am looking at past experiences to help others. I know, there will be times folks will say something regarding the pity parties, and they will be right, then there will be other times where they have maybe misunderstood what I have said. That doesn’t change the reality though, that even if looking at the past, I should only glimpse at the past, I should only go there briefly, my sight, my goals should be on the future, not the suffering of the past.

Make sure to check the blog archive to follow this journal through its entirety, plus an interview with author Jack Watts and the review of the book.

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