Assaults of Shame, Rage, Hatred |
God's View:
1 Tim. 4:7-9
; Heb. 12:5-11
-Being conditioned by guilt, shame, fear and
loneliness and seeking to alleviate the pain by things other than what God
proposes, we need to discipline ourselves and restructure our attitudes and
patterns of behavior. This to be done in accord to God's standards by which
we pursue a course of personal holiness. We are to worship God first, then
we can have healthy relationships with others later.
Hope:
Prov. 1:7
; 26:5
-Knowledge of God provokes a personal response towards
what is known and demands a change-whatever would keep deeper knowledge from
taking root in the soul. Knowledge points to God and compels change. Realization
that what you have been depending upon for security or satisfaction is false
and empty and must be replaced. It takes time to fill the void, and we are
no longer in control. But God is now in sole control over every area of our
life. God's word is to be rooted in our being gradually filling in the ruts
of sin patterns and behavior, and to recreate a pattern of biblical responses
to honor God and to please Him.
Lu. 18:18-25 ; John 4:1-30 -Our hearts need to be exposed to show to ourselves the need for radical change, rather than being merely condemned for our behavior, and being defensive of our present behavior. Jesus confronted both in tenderness (mercifully seeking the other to repent) and strength (not succumb to a challenge of being merciful and tender) and to sustain the pursuit regardless. Confront with a word what is matter-of-fact, strong and benevolent either with self or with others, with emphasis on the freedom of choice.
2 Cor. 7:11 -True repentance will lead to feelings of indignity and anger at the past damage, a desire to make restitution, and a renewed longing for purity and godliness.
Change:
James 1:2-4
; 3:16
; 4:1-3
-Envy seems to be one of the major causes
of conflict and disorder in relationship. The demand of our soul is for
satisfaction now or relief rather than to pursue spiritual growth in facing
trials and tribulations, to work out our self-centeredness and change our
emphasis from self on to God and others.
The task of growth is to pursue real honesty about self, world and God, no matter what and not hide behind denial or deceit. Material objects cannot take away the struggles of the soul.
Prov. 14:15 ; 22:3 ; 27:12 ; l Pet. 4:8 ; Prov. 10:12 -When we cover over sin, we make a conscious choice to want, prayerfully and patiently, for the right moment to deal with an observable pattern of sin. Covering over sin makes waiting for the right opportunity for interaction and we should cover over sin unless we are called by God to deal with it directly.
l John 4:20 -To the extent we face evil, foolishness and simple ways in others, we will see those ways in our own heart; thus, open our hearts to the relief of forgiveness and the wonder of the meaning of the Cross.