10 Comments

1. Julie on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7:34 am

   Thanks for this message, Tracie. Sometimes, it does feel like sharing is hard because others may not care about happened to me. But I greatly appreciate what you said about making our stories about Jesus rather than us. I know I can be guilty of focusing too much on myself, even when I’m sharing a testimony about God. But being able to focus on God and giving glory to God, instead to my own sin or accomplishments, is most important.

   
   
   
2. Sharon C. on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 9:51 am

   Thanks Tracie. You always seem to know the right thing to say or the question to ask to get me thinking of where I am and what I need to be doing to reach others and share God’s love through what He’s done for me. I’ve hidden myself away to long for various reasons, but mainly because I haven’t felt good in so long. Yesterday was all about Jesus and His love for us. My story has had plenty of hardships and pain but if I take a good look I see where God has been there for me. I grew up in negatism (ms) that it is so easy to always default to it. I don’t want to be like that anymore. To rise above it and let my gratitude shine for the Lord. He’s brought me through so much that now it’s time for me to give back. Just being alive and breathing is a miracle for me. Thank you Lord. I pray that I’ll catch up on my reading this week and just worship my Savior and wait on Him to show me the way to go. God Bless!

   
   
   
3. heather on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:05 am

   I have lived with that shame. It has had such a grip on my life! It can b like a choke hold!
   BUT I have also now experienced the freeing power of allowing others in!
   I have told people of my past and most have been supportive and encouraged.

   
   
   
4. mattie on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:15 am

   lol. I dont have the problem of being real with people .just the opposite .As a christian I have the issue of using wisdom and the love of G-d to give my opinion or speak what is real.shame ,now is another thing .I have been told I am the hardest on myself that people have seen .I do take things that I say or do to heart ,sometimes mull it over and over till theres no juice left in it .that is where i need prayer .to let go of things in the past ( you know like 10 min ago ) and let G-d do his mighty work .thanks for sharing .

   
   
   
5. lc on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:35 am

   Is it insecurity or false humility or lies I’ve chosen to listen to for over 50 years and now believe???? I’m not sure, but God knows and I pray He will show me and shower His love, grace, mercy & truth over me and give me faith to believe His goodness to me today! I want and desperately need to settle, once and for all, He is FOR me. He freely offers me His peace, joy, hope & love.
   Lord, help me believe and receive all You have already given me!
   In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
   Thank you and may God bless you, Tracie ,

   
   
   
6. Debra S on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 6:11 pm

   Mattie, I’m the same way. To honest for my own good, is what I heard from others. How can you blurt things out just like that? Do you not know when it’s appropriate to tell your story and when to keep your mouth shut? When I see someone hurting, I just gradually gravitate toward them, to let them know they are not alone in this world. I took such a mental beating from people, I shut down for years. My personality and attitude turned negative. I am slowly learning to be that person again. Knowing God wants me to be that friendly person and share.

   
   
   
7. Tracy on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 9:14 pm

   Thanks Traci for your honesty and transparency! Your bold words have spoken to me tonight. “If we let fear and shame keep us from being real and sharing the love of God, we give the enemy dominion over our life instead of God”. Well when you put it that way! I have been set free by the power of Jesus Christ! Who the Son sets free is free indeed!!! Why would I want to allow the enemy to have any power over me or any aspect of my life good or bad? I need to see my insecurity and shame for what it is a lie straight from the pit of hell. “Am I too concerned with negative consequences of being real or transparent with others and less concerned with what Jesus wants to do through me?” Thanks for shedding light on the darkness! I am going to pray for total freedom from guilt and shame and pray that the joy of redemption would shine in my life.

   
   
   
8. Angela on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:44 pm

   Need prayer. Had my first panic attack today. Seems my symptoms are getting worse. Flashbacks nightmares feelings of unease, dread, guardedness. And now my first panic attack. To explain it in short, I was at a church member’s house for a fish fry. Saw the name of his address on his mailbox. Cartwright. Which brought to my memory Carters Ferry Rd the street where I used to live.
   And then pow! Flashback. The worst one I’ve ever experienced: a feeling of unreality like part of me was still at that house of abuse. Pounding heart. Shortness of breath trembling. Like for example I noticed my hand shaking when I drank my cup of tea.
   Surprised no one noticed. And thank God for that. Got a reputation to uphold here: the strong, happy girl. The panic attack didn’t last long. Only a few minutes. Pray for me. That this doesn’t happen again. I refuse to see a doctor and go on meds.

   
   
   
   • Susie on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 12:50 am

     Angela, I will pray for you, but you need to let go of the reputation you want to hold on to in order for God to heal you. God is your reputation, and He’s all you need. 🙂 I used to want to keep people from knowing what I had done, but in the end it has given me health problems and anxiety attacks too. God showed me that I had to let go of my reputation (pride), and let Him show people who I was in Him. Because that is what really matters in our walk, showing people Jesus through who we are. Let go and let God, I promise you He will be with you through every second of every day, and He will never embarrass you. We all have our breaking point when God just says to us, it’s time to show them who you are. I know that you are a beautiful person in God and you love Him deeply, or you would not be trying to change through this Bible Study. I will be praying for you! 🙂 Your sister in Jesus Susie

     
     
     
9. heather on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 2:30 am

   Angela,
   I will pray for you too. As I have been on this journey of healing and coming to the reality of abuse in my past, I too have had increase flashbacks, shortness of breath and panic attacks. Asking for prayer here is a great! Allow GOD see you through this time. HE knows what HE is doing. This is and will continue to be a hard road to travel, but you are not alone. GOD is with you! In all honesty, there was a time where I did not believe the words I just typed to you Angela. I continue to struggle at times with GOD loving me. BUT I cling to HIS promises and allow others to know of my struggle. I also do whatever it takes to heal.