Tag: Love yourself

Why Won’t You Change For Me?

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Why Won’t You Change For Me?

(Spoilers Batman & Robin)

Recently I was thinking about my life and my old relationships. When I think changing for others I think back to when Dick Grayson left Wayne Manor. Dick ends up leaving because of differences. Dick didn’t like Batman’s methods of getting information from criminals. Eventually Bruce, displeased with Dick’s decision to lead the Titans, he would be forced to retire as Robin. This caused Dick to leave Wayne Manor. A long feud because both viewed their ways as right neither willing to change. We often look to our friends, but more importantly our spouses to change to fit our expectations. The thought process of trying to get someone to change for you or because of you will undoubtedly create strife and resentment. When we assume or try to change someone we are the ones with unrealistic expectations.

 Galatians 6:4-5“4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.” In life there is one person we are truly responsible for (excluding parents) and that’s ourselves. We must learn to understand people cannot be forcibly changed. We cannot live our lives expecting everyone to do things our way, or do what we want. We cannot expect everyone to believe in the same thing we do. I have struggled in my life trying to understand why I was never ‘good’ enough for people in my life. I have always tried extremely hard to please my significant other and yet I would fail. I would not only carry my own problems, but I would take on every one else’s around me also. I would give everything I could and wonder why I never received as much in return. That should have raised a red flag for me, but sadly it never did. I ignored so much in my life and ultimately it would leave me broken hearted and let down. It would take me years to finally realize the lesson in front of me. God creates a person as half of a whole. When we find our half we will fit together, but if we try to force two pieces together that aren’t quite the right shapes they may ‘work’ but it’s not the perfect fit. There’s a reason love is never keeping score, never boasting, never rejoicing in faults. When the right two people are right for one another they will both lift each other up and not tear down. When the right two people are together they becomes their best selves. The problem then is finding that other half.

In the Lord Of The Rings Series we see Faramir one of two children of Steward Denethor II of the Relm of Gondor. Denethor resented Faramir and in the eyes of his father he was never worthy of his love. The eldest son Boromir would hold his fathers love and Faramir would be sent on a suicide mission just to please his father. To please his father he nearly sacrificed his own life. This is an extreme lesson but I believe it serves a purpose. Denethor couldn’t see his youngest sons worth because he had a particular opinion and instead of treating them as individuals, he wanted his youngest son to be more like the eldest. Sadly after his sons near death (mistakenly killed) Denethor in an act of self destructive grief, he dies after plunging off the top of Minis Tirith.

Fixer upper relationships might work when dealing with an old house, or maybe even an old car, but in a relationship it should be taken on with extreme caution. In every relationship I have entered where I could be there for them, and I could help the damsel in distress has ended horribly for me. Come to find out the fairytale of being the night in shining armor is just that, a fairytale. Once the self-esteem has been boosted, or they’ve gotten all they needed they would end up leaving. I didn’t consider myself the fixer upper man, but as I have taken it upon myself to help fix broken hearts, or wayward souls, the end result would never go well for me. It would take two divorces for me to finally realize the type of woman I would need in my life would be one who loves themselves. I would need to find someone who did not have a broken self-esteem. I would need to find someone who was strong and who’s faith in God was not in question. I would need to find someone who actually had similar passions and hobbies as myself. Moral of the story I would need to find someone completely different then the women I’ve had in my life.

The biggest thing in a relationship is understanding the only true change, positive change comes from Jesus Christ. We must always put Christ first, then our relationship. We must first learn to love who we are, rely on Christ and ourselves before we can expect to be something for someone else. We must also never expect someone else to fix us. We cannot be fixed by anyone but ourselves. And even with ourselves we cannot truly fix anything with Christ by our side. We must trust in the Lord in all of our days. 1 John 4:8“8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” If we do not know God we cannot truly understand love. If we do not believe in the Love of Christ’s Sacrifice we may never know what real love is. There are days when love isn’t easy and it might take everything you have to stick in it, but Love is Patient. But most importantly, love suffers long. Ephesians 4:2“2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,” We must always be patient and understand that we need to not just be patient for others, but also ourselves. People will fall, and people will fail, it’s a nature of life. The thing with love though is we must stand by someone and not fail them by walking out. When we abandon love we are guilty of sin also for not living up to what love is. 1 Peter 4:8“8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Sin is with us every day, and the only thing we can do about someone else’s sin is tell them how we feel, but most importantly pray for them.

One thing I have found is a need to fight someone’s insecurities. I have always felt I could fix what they felt was wrong with themselves. Really what I was doing was enabling them, and covering the wound with a Band-Aid, and that Band-Aid was me.  I covered the wound for so long that eventually I did offer healing, but as most wounds go when the wound is healed the dressing is discarded and thrown away. What I didn’t realize then, that I do now, is it wasn’t me they loved, it was how I made them feel. Eventually they would realize they didn’t need me anymore to feel that way, so I wouldn’t be needed any longer. I failed to evaluate my own relationships to scripture and thus when they ended in disaster ultimately I had only myself to blame. 1 John 4:18“18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I have always been trusting in my relationships. I have always believed that if I needed to peek over someone’s shoulder, or invade privacy something was seriously wrong in the relationship. Jealousy and insecurity have no place in a relationship because ultimately they are fears. If you’re with someone who has a propensity for lying, or cheating, there is a deeper problem to face. I dare say with someone who’s a liar or a cheater is not walking with Christ.

While we are all sinners those who are not of the faith are different then those who’ve fallen in sinful ways. We must not forsake our own faith and be unequally yoked with non-believers. We must also remember to follow scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:33“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” This is not saying do not pray for those in need, and try to guide and minister to those in need, but rather not to be influenced by bad behavior. Remember, no matter how much you may ‘love’ someone that does not mean they are good for you. It’s best to learn early what your current situation is, and always review scripture and compare your life to the word of God.

 

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It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share the blessings and teachings of Christ with all of you. For those who read my works in Christ, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Recently I came across an amazing home business based in Travel and Entertainment that’s the real deal. The savings found through this business are amazing. If you shop online, like to go to movies, or travel, this gift card for you can save you up to 50%. Please enjoy your gift as a symbol of my appreciation and gratitude. God Bless.

Chasing Waterfalls

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Chasing Waterfalls

I have spent years looking for what was right in front of me, but sadly I couldn’t see the things I needed the most in my life. The first thing I needed to find was my own place in God’s love. The second was to realize how in a fleeting moment I would loose the women I had loved with my whole heart. Although I always felt like I gave her everything I possibly could, perhaps there was one more thing I could have given to her, my fear. I never once thought the day would come when she wouldn’t be standing by my side so I never felt the need to be jealous, or concerned with other guys. I consider now the two things in my life I needed the most and yet now after I lost so much, it feels like I may be too late. If I only had a chance to say my hearts desire and have them be heard could I change my fate? Tomorrow the sun will rise and I will have one of my failings be placed on the right path, but the other, I have a heavy heart. The women I loved is still gone because of my own inaction, my own failures as a leader of my household, and I must accept the responsibility of her leaving. While I have been told time and time again I am not at fault, she was happy, and then she wasn’t. I cannot stand idly by and think there was nothing I could have changed. Still, in the here and now, all I have is my hope for her, and wish her the very best on her own path. If I could tell her how much she means to me, and how much I love her, I would. I don’t know if those words would ever mean anything anymore, but perhaps one day they might. I have my path I must walk, and though it saddens me we won’t be walking this path together, I pray that maybe a miracle may happen and she finds her way back to me. Today I find myself thinking of the resurrection of Christ, which is coming. I think of the pain and suffering Christ endured for the sins of man, and yet he took the pain, took the punishment for all of us. He alone carried the burdens of Sin and freely gave his life to give everyone hope. We could only be so lucky to provide hope to someone else.

In the months after it happened, I found myself trying to move forward, trying to put my life back together but there was always something. I have wrestled with my place in this world and as I have found one of them, the other seems as elusive as a waterfall hidden in the deepest jungles. I have found peace with myself for the first time I can remember. I think it’s fitting that this weekend is about resurrection. I think it’s time for me to make some changes in my life. While I would like my life to go back to the way it was, I realize that can never happen. I’ve become a much better person now then I was back then. I have come to find my self worth and now find it’s a little easier managing being alone. I question what my future holds for me. I wonder if I’ll get my own home soon, find a new job, meet anyone special, and as I search for the answers to these questions, I remind myself to have faith, be patient, and above all, have faith in the plan that is beyond my understanding. Trusting in God isn’t always easy, but it’s something we all have to come to grips with at some point in our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

I struggle with my own thorns, and in my struggle I lean upon the grace and mercy of the Lord. I cannot spend all my time chasing a waterfall I may never find. I must learn to let go of the things I cannot change and focus on the things I can. I cannot focus on the things I want and will never obtain. I find myself reciting the serenity prayer in my head often these days. I pray for my scenery to change and hope perhaps one day it shall. I cannot say what my future holds, but as for my past, maybe some things will never be as gone out of my life as they should be. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” It’s time for me to stop chasing the waterfalls and to focus on what’s in front of me. It’s time I give myself the respect I deserve and stop allowing others to make me feel badly about myself. I have spent so long putting so much faith in people for my own personal validation of my own self worth that it’s no wonder I feel like garbage. If I spend my time with people who are selfish, leaches who are only in a friendship so long as they benefit, that’s on me to keep floating towards the edge of that waterfall. I have been washed down river more then once, swept over the cliff and yet I wonder why when it’s me all along. I cannot change others, but I can change my own part in it. I can stop playing so close to the edge. It’s up to me to stick closer to friendlier waters. No longer will I play in the waters edge. I cannot, I must not put myself through that any longer. God give me strength to walk away, strength to heal, to find peace.

Held by a Savior

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Held by a Savior

In the last year my followers have seen that I have experienced some significant hardships, but the thing is, we all do. It’s not about the hardships, it’s about how we survive them. Everyone experiences their own trials, and their own troubles. We all have our tears that pour from our faces, and we all experience pain that while others may be able to sympathize, or empathize with us, it’s our own pain and no one knows exactly what we feel. We all have our stories that can be either inspiration as what to do, or not to. What is it to be a man? What is it to be a woman? I believe the truth is in how we handle our pain and how we endure the cross. Do we endure with dignity that would make people proud, or do we allow our lives to fall apart and crumble beneath our feet?

It’s a fine line I think between falling down, and throwing everything away. It’s okay to not be okay. I think those who actively follow a path of self-destruction are those who throw away. I think those who follow that path forgot how to live life. Life isn’t easy and it was never promised to be. Living life is knowing we have our issues, and finding ways to live our lives by embracing them and using them for the betterment of others, or learning to overcome them. I have PTSD and I am finding how to help others with it. I didn’t get here without falling down. I didn’t get to where I am today without facing down the wrong side life. We fall down and we get back up. We fall down and we have a choice, do we learn to ask for help, or do we try it our way? I don’t mean help by way of friends, family or professional help. I mean God. We are always going to be stumbling through life. We are always going to have one crisis after another, and every time we stumble or fall, we have an opportunity to learn how to ask God for help. True healing, true redemption is through Christ. The blood spilt on Calvary’s cross that day broke the bondage of slaves to sin, for a life free and full of choice to live in the light of Christ, or the shadows of the Devil.

Bad things happen to everyone, but we can choose to overcome. PTSD doesn’t define me, anxiety doesn’t define me, and no matter how much it hurts my childhood, and my divorces don’t’ define me. I didn’t ask for this life of pain and suffering, but here we are. I’m not perfect and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I have not always held my tongue when I should have. I haven’t always said the nicest of words to my loved ones, but I try hard to be a man God would be proud of. I know my Savior is Christ, and I know that in his blood my mistakes are washed clean. I know that I will fall and make mistakes, but I know in God’s eyes my mistakes aren’t going to condemn me forever. We as a people should learn not to judge so quickly. We should learn to see the mistakes and keep an open mind. We are all human and we all screw up. Instead of a life of judgment, of ridicule, open your heart with love, and see through the eyes beyond the cover.

We have so many blessing in our life and we often overlook them in our waking moments. The gift of life, the breath we take and the days we have are the biggest blessing we take for granted. The poorest of the poor in this nation often have far more then those of other poor nations. We have food, and shelter, and we have people in our lives that care for us. As for me, I have more money then I need, maybe not as much as I want, but needs and wants are very different. I have my dogs, my mother, and I have a warm bed to sleep in. I have my car, and I am debt free. I don’t struggle with bills, and I don’t have to worry where my next meal is coming from. I have friends that care about me, and are there for me when I need them. I know that no matter how dark the darkest day, how deep my pain runs, and I know that no matter how bruised and bettered I become, Jesus is still right there going through it all with me. Jesus is my faithful friend, and the Abba of all is by my side.

I know this year’s been hard, and that I have posted about a lot of hardships and pain, but isn’t that what life is? It’s not about the hardships we endure; it’s how we endure them. Pain comes and when it does we are expected to use the sandals and dig in and hold our ground. Expressing hardships isn’t a sign of weakness or even a sign of complaining (in some cases) it’s about how we can find our strength to persevere in Christ our Savior. We know some days will be great, and others will bring more pain then we think we can handle. We will see the peace of the meadow, and we will face the valley of death, but no matter what our day is, we know one thing is absolutely certain, Christ our Savior is always with us. Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Remember one thing if nothing else; we are never alone and we never know when our testimony will save someone else. We never know whom we may meet, and how we may affect their life. Let me help you if I can, let me be there for you if you need it. My email is always open if you need to talk about God. We are called to lean on one another and help lift each other up. We are called to bare one another’s burdens and use our tongue to lift up and never to tear down. We always have the opportunity to help our neighbors and I promise you, you don’t have to look far to find someone in need of love. Our world is a fallen one, shrouded in sin and pain. It’s the love we are taught to give that is our hope. We are told to Love as Christ Loved us, and we are told to do this to all of our neighbors, not just the ones we like. We cannot surly do this on our own and we were never expected to. We are taught to turn to one another, turn to God. We know that without Christ we are nothing and without the grace of God we cannot surely do anything. I know that today, yesterday, and tomorrow I’ve always needed my Lord. I am not strong enough alone. I am not brave enough on my own. I know that I didn’t survive Iraq without God’s protecting hands. I know the literal circle of protection surrounding my truck that day was nothing short of a miracle. I know when I was shot that without God’s grace I surly would have died. I know that I have needed God and I always will. The Lord is my Sheppard, my strength, my savior, and I know when I cannot stand I fall on the Lord. Jesus is the only hope I will ever truly need, and as my needs arise, I trust the Lord will provide, and provide always.