How do you pray for OTHERS? How do you pray for YOURSELF?
While I was perhaps good encouragement to those around me, I rarely encouraged myself in a truly godly way as I prayed. Instead, I spiritually poked “Me” with a stick, like a caged animal that is despised and hated, but one you put up with in hopes of the beast doing something good someday.
In the back of my mind, I thought this was how God saw me, but it is TOTALLY not true. I mean, he saw the thief being crucified on the cross next to him, loved him, didn’t despise him, and promised that man eternity. Doesn’t he love me like that, too?
What I realize now to be part of the predatory sexual/emotional abuse cycle, for the abused to simultaneously be the object of “love” and derision, is not actually love at all--it’s wrong and sinful and sick. And it 100% does not reflect God’s perfect love.
In the Father’s eyes, am I simultaneously loved AND despised? Nope. I am a beloved and adored child of God. Have a listen.
Isaiah 43: 1, 4 and 12. 1 Corinthians 13.
