I have come back to Christianity after fallowing Islam
I found that i missed being christian and didnt really got on with the prayers in Islam...
For Lent am giving up diet coke ...i already dont eat meat as i am vegetarian
I cant give up egg as most of my veggie stuff is made from egg eg... some of the burgers have egg in it
Am 2 weeks free from self injury but i feel like i need to do it
There are times when i feel i must hurt myself because of things that i think i have done wrong or are sinful...
At the moment i have a blade under my keyboard ready to use ... but i think i better move it and put it somewhere safe
I know I haven't been around here for ages, but I though I would answer your question joyjoyandmimi.
In the Old Testament (1 Kings 18), there is talk of the people who worship the false god Baal. '28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.'
Despite this act, the false god Baal never shows up.
God doesn't want people to hurt themselves. Your body is a temple of God. He lives within you. The people who didn't believe in God, the pagans, would cut themselves in mourning when a loved one died, but God says this is wrong.
There are other examples in the OT.
However, within the false religions, the people cut themselves to 'worship' their gods. God does not want us to do this. I think that most people here do not SH because they are trying to worship God through it. I personally, ignore God when I'm SHing. I don't do it to worship God. I do it because of stress, and depression and stress, etc... God doesn't want us to do it, but it's not like the cutting talked about in the OT, where they are trying to prove how much they worship the false gods.
Even in the New Testament, the mad man who 'would cry out and cut himself with stones' (Mark 5:5) was possessed with demons. Again, I don't think this is the case with people here.
Hi,
Thanks On My Way for the references. They are an encouragement, not ones I've looked at before either so it was refreshing.
Having another bad day, feeling close to tears which is really hard as I'm in work on my own today. My colleagues are all on leave or finished already because they are part time.
Wish I could finish early or just curl up in a ball and hide. Head is not here and have no concentration today.
SH would make me feel more alive but I'm not going to do it. I've made it 6 months and I won't give that up.
God bless all.
Liz
Liz, hang in there. Any reason you're having a particularly bad day? Sending massive hugs :D And well done for 6 months free, that's amazing :) Loads of love xx
Hey, how is everyone? Anyone needing any prayer?
I got a lot of uni work atm and going on mission to Northern Ireland next week (leading a team) prayers appreciated.
Definitely enjoying reading everyone's posts. I appreciate such a strong group of Christians on here. And it's comforting to know I am not alone. Just letting y'all know that I am praying for you, and have been before I even came across this site. Often when I pray, I think of all the other SI'ers out there and I pray for y'all. I have such a big heart for y'all because I know what it's like firsthand. And I never have a doubt in my mind that all of you are going to get better one day. I believe in y'alls future so wholeheartedly.
Ps, Please pray for me and my SI lately. It's becoming pretty scary and I know it's dangerous so I just want to make sure I am safe. Thank you, God bless :)
Vera, thanks so much, it means a lot. It's good to have you here, too, and I will be praying for you.
I'm feeling kind of fed up about things at the moment, as I have applied for a gap year at Abundant Life Leadership Academy in Bradford, which consists of doing an awful lot of things that I feel passionate about, in a church setting where I feel comfortable. I visited and loved it, and it's the first thing I've been able to get excited thinking about with regards to what I want to do in the future.. So, I had an interview over Skype a few weeks ago, and it seems that my MH issues could be what stops me getting a place. I don't like that at all , as a lot of the course is to do with helping people (including those with MH problems, which is what I'd love to be able to do) and I felt like the experience I have could actually be used for good outcomes. But no. I'm still waiting for a second interview with some pastoral woman and also they want to speak to my mentor. It seems my own words (on paper and over Skype) and those of my boss, and youth leader (both of whom are Christian, too) are not enough. And I feel like I'm stuck. If MH problems stop me being able to do what I want to do (and it's taken me till this point to decide what I want to do so it's frustrating) then there's no point. :(
Cloudedmind, Sometimes we can be so sure that a certain path is the correct one for us, and maybe the only one. But I kinda think that's because our vision is very nearsighted compared to God's vision. I almost imagine Him saying "Will you just please trust me on this and let me do the planning for once?!" lol when I start to try to decide what is the best route or choice is for myself. Not saying we shouldn't have our opinions about what we want to do, like it really sounds as if you have a clear idea that this is what you want to do. But maybe God is holding out on something super special for you. I do agree with you that it is unfair to be treated differently for MH issues. And also it is so true that people who have been through what you are/have been through, you can relate to on such a special level. So again, even though it seems like this whole thing is messed up and wrong, I strongly suggest praying and just giving the whole situation to God. He knows what to do with it.
