Get real-get connected...

Get real-get connected. When we get real about what we're
experiencing-we can get real about who we are and connect with others. We often deny or hide what we're experiencing for fear of looking un-Christian; so we speak Christian-ese to give the right answer...this only leads to disconnect and denial of what's really happening in our heart. We will even dismiss and deny our feelings with God and speak Christian-ese with Him! When I have ugly thoughts about someone, I ask God for help. I'll say, "I don't want to feel this way toward this person, but I do, help me understand what's going on in me." God gives wisdom generously and without finding fault...but if you don't ask, He won't force it on you. Often, people will ask for forgiveness from God or another person, but they have no revelation of why they did what they did...the acknowledgement is necessary and the apology is often sincere, but without understanding, the behavior repeats itself. Until the root of the behavior is dealt with...the behavior continues to return. Get real with God-it's the catalyst necessary to work through your feelings-ask God to search your heart and give you revelation so you won't continue to repeat the same situation over and over. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Next, share with a trusted friend; allowing another to see your weaknesses will actually strengthen you and the relationship. It's vulnerable to expose your heart, but there's power when you experience the other person accepting-all of you. You discover, all of you is loved and valued...even with imperfections. Knowing you don't have to be perfect to be loved is critical for overcoming adversity in daily living. If a person connects looking right to being right-they qualify being loved means doing right, so if they're not doing right, they're not loved! We're are flawed and God knows it...so He gives us His grace to make us right and we can't qualify for something that's been given to us for free. God's love never changes-He loves us the same when we mess up or when we don't mess up. Our imperfections connect with others because they're built on a foundation of honesty. Anything you try to control will inevitably control you. I pray you will experience the freedom our Father offers to each of us...to become the you He created and called you to be. Get real...get connected! (Ps 139:23-24, James 1:2-8, 2 Cor 3:17, Eph 2:10, 2 Cor 12:10) 9/2012CIFL-LMM