Thank you, Mark! This is an amazingly well-timed essay since I recently decided to do a study on God's love for me. Why? Because "There is no fear in love. But perfect love (God's love) drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment" (1 John 4:18). Because I judged others, I assumed they were judging me too, and it wasn't a particularly comfortable way to live. Plus, to my knowledge, I never changed anyone's mind by arguing or debating with them. I've learned it's okay if we don't agree on every point. What we each choose to believe - and how we live our lives - is between us and God. I - like most people - was raised with the "do good get good, do bad get beat" mentality, Now, I'm trying to reprogram my thoughts by focusing on God's grace and seeking a better, deeper, more comprehensive understanding of His unconditional love for me, which will hopefully replace all my fears with a firmly grounded peace: peace with God, myself, and others. In other words, I hope to one day get to where you're at. :)
Thank you Barbara for sharing this—obviously I echo much of your story. I am also STILL in process on all this. I’m grateful to not be where I was, that’s for sure.
Thank you, Mark! This is an amazingly well-timed essay since I recently decided to do a study on God's love for me. Why? Because "There is no fear in love. But perfect love (God's love) drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment" (1 John 4:18). Because I judged others, I assumed they were judging me too, and it wasn't a particularly comfortable way to live. Plus, to my knowledge, I never changed anyone's mind by arguing or debating with them. I've learned it's okay if we don't agree on every point. What we each choose to believe - and how we live our lives - is between us and God. I - like most people - was raised with the "do good get good, do bad get beat" mentality, Now, I'm trying to reprogram my thoughts by focusing on God's grace and seeking a better, deeper, more comprehensive understanding of His unconditional love for me, which will hopefully replace all my fears with a firmly grounded peace: peace with God, myself, and others. In other words, I hope to one day get to where you're at. :)
Thank you Barbara for sharing this—obviously I echo much of your story. I am also STILL in process on all this. I’m grateful to not be where I was, that’s for sure.