All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Bondage
The Bible says that God is close to the brokenhearted and that He binds up all our wounds. There are some wounds that run so deep for people who were traumatized repeatedly throughout their lives. Even being a Christian isn't a protection as we can all tell from the story of Joyce Meyers. She was saved at the age of I believe 8 and yet repeatedly molested while praying for God to get her out of that situation, and it messed her up for a lot of years even as an adult.
There are also verses about being set free from bondage, and yet we see some that are set free the day they accept Christ and others who struggle many many years, some a lifetime.
There are verses about armor and casting down thoughts, and yet there are people who have a harder time doing that than others for medical reasons, traumatic reasons, whatever the case may be who don't seem to be standing on as equal a ground with those who were perhaps raised by loving Christian parents in a good home environment.
So my question is...how do we put all that together and try to find the solution to breaking bondage when the Bible does clearly say that only God can break all our chains. And if we truly want Him to do that, and we pray and pray for it, and do all we can to work towards change, yet remain in agonizing bondage to the programming we were fed by life situations, do we then look towards the passages of perhaps Christ going to the cross even if He didn't quite want to die anymore than anyone would...He did it because there was a bigger reason for it? Yet I cannot see the reason for a person suffering in their mind from bondages or how it brings glory to God if they are never healed or if it takes many years for healing. I just keep missing on this one and would like to gain some kind of understanding of it.
I'm not talking your better known sins of drunkenness, etc. But the sins of anger, irritation, worry, anxiety, depression, etc. Those things that are a sinful thing, but that the individuals truly feel they cannot control no matter how desperately they have tried to, how much they have prayed for healing, had prayers said over them, etc. People who have been counseled and everything, yet they are still tied into those bondages. Even Joyce Meyers took something like 20+ years of her adult life to break out of those cycles instilled in her childhood, and all the time praying for it, all the time a Christian. Those who don't spend a lifetime as a Christian can find it even harder. And it still doesn't explain those who seem to receive instant healing.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ScribeD on
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God isn't into magic formulas. I've learned to shun formulaic theology, if you can call it that. The goal is to find the power of God that is available to break bondage. That comes from walking by faith and learning and doing His Word. The Spirit is present when we do that, to set us free. But, you have to learn the truth for the truth to set you free. This is why I reject catechismical teaching, which teaches you fact while removing you from the truth embedded in the fact.
I have found more power in praying and following a few simple verses than in all the wisdom and teachings of men.
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Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on
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My Dear Sister Seek. One very important thing is God knows our hearts. Another one is, He knows all that has happened to us. Some of the things I have learned are, knowing that His Love is True; knowing that there is Healing for me through Jesus, even before I am Healed. I guess what I am saying is, our Trust in Him grows stronger through belief not results. Letting go of things even when, we have to face them at the same time. Our faith operates differently in each of us. When we see, "...those who seem to receive instant healing," for one thing the word "seem" is important. Even when some do, let us rejoice for them, I am not implying you do not. Our walk with The Lord, may at times be shared with others. Yet, our walk with Him is our own,we may criss-cross with others, however we all have a different path. I hope this made some sense.
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Hey Seek I wanted to add two verses. 19 For it brings favor if, mindful of God’s Will, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God. 21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:19-21
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve — because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s Will 1 Peter 4:1-2
As we can see suffering is not just about punishment or a lack of faith. These as with others show the complete opposite.
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Permalink Reply by Seek on
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It's the "endure it" part I have trouble with Chris. Is it "enduring" if we keep stressing, worrying, etc.? This is what I so much want some freedom from. It comes and goes and I just want some stability.
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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I just have a quick thought regarding this...
I'm reminded of this verse:
John 5:1-6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Healing at Bethesda
5 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in [a]Hebrew [b]Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [[c]waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been [d]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”
Jesus asks us 'Do you wish to get well?'
Sometimes people (not talking about you--just generally) find familiarity in their bondage. Perhaps their not quite ready to part with it. It's familiar and somehow familiar is comfortable... it's safe. It's not unknown. Being free from bondage could be considered unfamiliar or unknown. Again... I'm speaking generally.
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Excellent point, Carla. Accepting the desire to get well means we must be willing to change and take on new challenges. The Paralytic at the pool had to accept that he would now have to be responsible for his own life.
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Permalink Reply by Miss Kitty on
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THIS IS SO TRUE. WHEN WE HAVE DONE ALL THAT WE CAN DO, WE STAND, STAND ON HIS WORD AND WAIT!!!! WE LEARN SO MUCH IN THE TIMES OF WAITING FOR BREAKTHROUGHS IN OUR LIVES. MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING BE WITH YOU ALL!
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But "wishing" (wanting) to get well isn't the answer to getting well. Many people with terminal illness want to get well too. :-(
I know it takes God to heal it and everything in His timing. But when it becomes so unbearably excruciating, I keep wondering when that time comes that I will be able to break through these things. Making a conscious effort over and over only seems to go so far until the effort fails.
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Seek,
'wish' here is not a hopeless hope. The KJV says 'wilt' as in 'wilt thou be made whole?'
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thel'-o,
eth-el'-o
Either the first or the second form may be used. In certain tenses
θελέω theleō thel-eh'-o (and ἐθέλέω etheleō eth-el-eh'-o) are used, which are otherwise obsolete; apparently strengthened from the alternate form of G138; to determine (as an active voice option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive voice acquiescence in objective considerations), that is, choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication to wish, that is, be inclined to (sometimes adverbially gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism to delight in: - desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, -ling [ly]).
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I don't think this really has anything to do with 'making a conscious effort' on our part. I think it goes much deeper than that. We can't heal ourselves, and we can't 'wish ourselves well.'
There may be hindrances as to why we are not healed, and perhaps a Christian counsellor can help work through what they might be.
Do you believe you are learning and growing and being strengthened to being closer to God through this trial?
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I do...until depression hits. And we're noticing a pattern in that the depression seems to come with illness. Days I am sicker, is when it hits hard. And I've been seeing a Christian counselor now for about a month. I see him again tonight. He's told me I suffer from obsessive compulsive thinking and says he can help me with that. Hope so.
He also said I need to stop trying and let God do it. My only problem with that is I can't stand it, to the point I CAN'T let this keep happening, but don't know how to stop it and I just hate when it comes on.
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I feel for you Seek.
I'm reminded of Romans 5:1-5
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but [c]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Please notice the last part also.... "the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
The Holy Spirit is given to all who believe and trust in the Lord for salvation. Rest in that assurance and peace. Your present tribulations will turn to Hope... and Hope does not disappoint.
Blessings and Love In Christ,
Carla
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