I forgot!

Any person who has been through a traumatic situation, always look for to forget what happened, or not to speak about ir or even to delete the occurrence from his memories.

And many of us act in this manner with memories of the past of which we do not want to remember.

We think that acting in this fashion, we are dealing with whatever situation grieves us but the truth is that we do not forget it that easily.

Do you want me to prove my point? Action just like that has never helped you to overcome such memories. So we can agree it does not make the trick, does it?

So that we can "deal" with any situation, we need to do the opposite to forgetting - we have to become aware of such situations. It is rather painful but necessary.

As we cannot play "hide and seek" anymore, we have no other choice rather than going through the following steps so that we actually deal with the  trauma:

•   confront the facts;

•   identify our feelings towards what happened;

•   find out how it affected or changed our behaviour;

•   to make a final decision

What does it mean "to confront the facts" - use no longer words like "I don't want to talk about that", "I wanna forget", "I think it has never happened but it was my imagination" because in truth you may not verbalize such words but whatever happened has been the centre of your thoughts since then.

No one likes to speak about subjects that will trigger sad memories; it seems like we are living it all over again; but when there is no confrontation to the truth you see yourself so small before your past.

From the moment you admit you never forgot, it was not a dream and you want to overcome it, you become taller than your past.

You then start identifying feelings that were developed as a response to that situation: fear, insecurity, hate, subjection, low self esteem, anger, shame, among others.

Do not see yourself intimidated by such feelings; being aware of them will make you stronger and will help you overcome them.

How? You will find it out in our next post.

For now, identify which feelings are manifested in your and if you are willing, share with us here.

Marcia Pires

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY SIXTEEN

I am reading Philippians and I went through verse 10, chapter 2, written as “ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth, and of those under the earth”.

I was thinking over who else in this world confesses more the name of Jesus than Christians? We pray and call Him Lord, Savior, we say words of love and surrendering to Him, right?

But last Saturday, while doing the meeting with the Youth ladies I have said something of which I have been thinking over and over and was complemented with this verse.

We express all the above in words but what goes on in our heart? We say Jesus is Lord and Savior but in our heart do we make Him really our Lord or we want to serve Him the way we see fit?

We bow our knees in prayer but don’t we doubt our own words allowing the feelings that are in our heart to lead our mind?

We confess He is Lord, but when our problems are bringing the worst in us, are we confessing His Lordship with our thoughts or actions?

How many times I have counseled people who starts by saying they gave their life to Jesus, they pray, they fast and they believe He is the God of the impossible but further into the conversation I have clearly noticed that this person believes in all that but he does not believe that it is for himself?

So all the words said will not be effective because your mind is not in line with your words; you are binding your knees physically but your feelings of fear, doubt, complex, inferiority are not showing Lordship to Jesus.

Day 16 – meditate if your words are the real expression of your faith and bow down your heart to Jesus’ Lordship today.

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY FOURTEEN

One of the challenges that we challenge is to tame our emotions. And if you just examine your life carefully, you may realize that most of the wrong decisions or reactions you had were taken in a spur of moment, not with carefully reasoning.

This spur of the moment is nothing but allowing your emotions to lead your way.

When it comes to the Holy Spirit, while you seek Him without surrendering how you feel, you will not experience His greatness.

The Holy Spirit wants to be the center of your mind and your reasoning and it is a direct battle against your heart, the center of your emotions.

You have been seeking the new birth, or the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, or even to be revived with the Spirit of God but when it comes to your feelings, you are choosing to allow them to take the way.

Someone said something about you or for you years ago, and that is still very loud in your ears and your heart is grieved since then.

Someone looked down on you or criticized you and until today you see yourself as inappropriate.

Someone disappointed you and until today you are very reserved and cannot have friends.

You do not hold grudges but you cannot deny that resentment is there.

So which room is left for the Holy Spirit to come if people’s words or actions are stronger than all the promises of God left for you?

You have been seeking with words but one thing is missing: surrender your feelings!

What is restricting you of having the mind of Christ in you? The answer is right in the Word of God:

“You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.” (2 COR 6:12)

Day 14 – Despise your feelings – forget about the way or what was said and embrace what God has left in His word for you. This last week of the Fast of Daniel will change the course of your life if you are no longer restricted in your affections.

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY THIRTEEN

Some people work hard to develop muscles and physical strength. The Bible refers to another kind of strength – the one of the mind that is made perfect when inspired and replenished by the Holy Spirit.

When you think about the things from above, you are in total communion with God and you hold your mind captive to God’s truth, you will automatically be strong in your mind.

Your feelings, fears, insecurities will no longer be there and if they try to cloud your thoughts, immediately you will quote what you know to be right and not what you feel like.

You will call upon God’s promise left for us and you will act upon those promises.

You will make yours, God’s word in Isaiah 24:14 – Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass. And as I have purposed, so it shall stand.

Guided by the Holy Spirit your thoughts and purposes will lead you to victory in this earth and to eternal life with God.

On the other hand, if your thoughts and purposes are lead by your own will, ways and feelings, you will not overcome in this world and not in the one to come.

Day 13 – What have you been thinking lately? Who is guiding your thoughts and purposes?

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY NINE

A friend of mine was commenting on the passage she read in Acts that the early church would live in one accord.

I was then reading Philippians and the word “one accord” came up again:

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort or love, if any fellowship in the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Ph 2:1-2)

It is very clear that those who have the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit they are likeminded and live under one accord because it is not about their will or they way, but a matter of following the Spirit’s way.

So now, why do we see many who call themselves Christians but live in total “disaccord”? Why there is so much opposition to the doctrines of the Bible and many raising “studies” to prove their points that do not agree or justify the Biblical truth?

It is impossible to live in one accord, to be likeminded with the Gospel of Salvation if you did not meet personally the author of your faith.

Some put effort on it but it does not last long because it is not natural, it is not in their mind but rather they abide to the truth for a while moved by their feelings.

When tests and trials come, when what is being said does not agree with their own will, another feeling takes place: rebellion and opposition.

Day Nine - If it is hard for you to agree with the Biblical truth, with the guidelines that are preached, to live in peace with brothers and sisters, to give up your way for the benefit of others – think carefully if you are really born of God.

The Fast of Daniel is to prepare the way for you to meet God face to face.