Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Freedom of Truth

"Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
                                                                  Philippians 4:8

I've spent a lot of my life in prison - not a prison made of metal bars but a prison of crippling lies.

Our world so often distorts the truth and makes us believe that lies are truth.

That our income determines our value.

That we must be young and impossibly thin to be beautiful.

That our life is a failure if we aren't honored or recognized for things we have done.

That possessions matter more than people.

With God's grace, I am learning slowly but surely that His truth often does not match up with the world's skewed version.

His truth calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

His truth calls us to make sacrifices for others instead of always putting our own needs first.

His truth tells us to move beyond the powerful pull of destructive thoughts and feelings.

God's truths are not always easy but they are always life-giving.

They show us the things that really matter in the end.

Love

Compassion

Kindness

Honesty

Faithfulness

Humility

Self-control

Peace

Patience

Joy

Fruits of the Spirit that transcend the passing fads and passions of this fallen world.

I pray that we may all come to know and live by God's unchanging truth and love and be set free from whatever imprisons us.

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."
                                                                             Acts 2:28
                     

6 comments:

  1. G'day Sandee
    Thanks so much for blog hopping with us!
    I really liked your post. How true, as you say, that our world distorts the truth and makes us believe that lies are truth.
    Sounds like you're on the path of life in your journey with God.
    Bless you
    Love
    Nicki (OBS Leader)

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    1. Thanks for reading, Nickie, and blessings to you too! :)

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  2. Sandee, your blog was a blessing to me! I especially value your statement about this lie, "That our life is a failure if we aren't honored or recognized for things we have done." God recognizes all our thoughts and actions that are invisible to the human eye, and He treasures the heart we put into them! Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you, & God's Love,
    Karen, OBS

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    1. This remains one of my biggest struggles but God continues to encourage and remind me just as He did through your comment. Thank you!

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  3. Hi Sandee, here's the TED talk I mentioned:
    http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

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  4. Part 2 on shame:

    http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame.html?quote=1404

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