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.
Today starts Step 10 of the 11 Step Journey. For this session there is a focus on the reality that God has a purpose for me, I can choose good over evil in my life.
I am confident that for each person that chooses God, that while the journey may be difficult at times, God changes lives and can make things better. I am grateful that I begin the process of seeking healing in my life some time ago. I know for a fact, I am not the same person I used to be. I also know God is not a respecter of persons, if he will change my life for the better, he will change others lives for the better.
I have faith that God will take care of me on my life journey. Over the years some have seen my wife and I as people of faith; not in the charismatic, give me money kind of way, but in the, ‘we know God is going to take care of us,’ way. We know that when we are faithful in the little things, God is faithful in the big things. I have learned that when we practice faith, we learn that we don’t act so much in faith as we do in knowledge. We know when we do what seems like the impossible, trusting God, He will come through and do as he promised. I still need to practice that in my life in all areas related to the abuse I have gone through, whether physical and sexual or abuse from the Church.
I know God is all he says he is, he comes through for me, and in this area of faith, I know God can, and has used that which was meant for evil for good. He has made it clear, there are more benefits to doing good than doing evil.
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to the mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’ ~ Matthew 21: 21, 22
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ~ Galatians 2:20
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