The story...
I thought it wise to imagine and create a positive self image of: who I was, how I wanted to be perceived, how I planned to change, and how I'd execute the plan. I'd hold onto this imagined reality and defend it even if it took much persuasion and the bending of reality too. I wanted to be perceived as a good actor in the story of life and reap the rewards. Sadly, my imagined reality and story didn't mesh well with other people's imagined plans and stories. So, I worked to influence, manipulate, or even control them so that they supported my story - like supporting actors in the story of "me." It's hard to write this, let alone read it aloud, yet it seems true to my nature.
Surely, the world is harsh, alongside other selfish people, so it seems reasonable that we adopt a self-created role that allows us to get along while still trying to get our needs met. When our efforts to get along don't work, we may pick up our toys and go home - stay isolated - seeking warmth within the small comfort found by wrapping up in that old raggedy blanket of our self image - sounds a bit cold and Grinchy.
The only church in town will share God's revealed Word about the nature that we were born with - the selfish, self-sustaining, and self-promoting nature that looks toward meeting our own needs first. They will hear about what God did to pay for our redemption, pay our God-offensive debts, so that we might walk through this life and eternity with our most holy God and Father. Wow, that's good news they will hear there - the story to know and share.
Just for today...
"Sometimes the greatest growth comes through pain, but it's not the pain that helps me grow, it's my response to it. Will I suffer through the experiences and continue as before or let the pain inspire change that helps me grow?" Courage to Change (p. 330)
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