Hey /christian/
I looked in the catalog, and didn't see any threads similar. Perhaps we could have an encouragement thread in which we post verses and words of encouragement. Also would it be a bad idea to perhaps put denomination to the side, maybe turn off the flags just for this thread, and just see how much unity comes out of this? We can get whatever off our chest, and what have you.
Anyway I'll put my thoughts in first. Having a life full of depression, loneliness, and isolation I'd like to share some verses I try to think on. Sometimes in frustration I've found myself lashing out at God only later to think on the pettiness of my actions and feel fearful of God's rejection. These verses are paraphrased from memory:
His anger lasts only for an instant moment, but then comes joy
look upon my afflictions and pain and forgive my sins
Since we are justified by his blood, there is no wrath on us
where sin abounds, God's grace hyper abounds much more
That which is secret shall be made known
if we condemn ourselves, God is greater than our hearts
So putting these things in perspective, if you feel like you are trapped in the dark with no hope, God is light and bigger than all that. Let's hope in his sacrifice for us, for in that the wrath of God has been taken away. If we're too ashamed to feel he'd ever take us back, then let's hope in his instantly ceasing anger. If we think we have fallen too far we call his arm too short to save. "Grace upon grace". His grace exceeds our sin, for he is greater than our hearts. If we feel doubt has taken us over, and questions have weighed us down, let us hope that "nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest". God is not the author of confusion, rather his name shall be called, Wonderful, *COUNSELLER*, Prince of Peace… Let's talk to him who is near, not far, who hears all things, knows all, sees all- the King of Glory is a light and he does not want us to be confused in the dark. He didn't come to fail his mission. Let's trust that he is greater than what a single man or denomination can testify, for of the father it is written "His thoughts are above ours and his ways are above ours" and if the Son it is written (not verbatim) "he did so much that all the books in the universe could not contain his greatness", and of the Holy Spirit is written he shall lead us into truth and righteousness.
God is the lifter up of our heads
So that's where I'll leave off, as my thoughts have come to slow down. I hope that this thread could be a good thing.