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.

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