Our belief in God has to remain steadfast and independent of what we experience and encounter in the world. In fact, our belief system is what makes us thrive in the world. I have created this space because it is my prayer that what you read in these posts, helps you pursue an intimate relationship with God. And that you are encouraged to get to know God for yourself. We go to church to fellowship with other believers but are relationship with God is edified outside the church walls.
I had an experience in church that if my relationship with God was dependent on the church, it would have shaken my faith.
If my relationship with God was dependent on people, then the experiences I had (and will have) would subtract from my personhood.
Our relationship with God is our own intimate journey cultivating a relationship with Him and learning to hear his voice for ourselves.
We read the Bible because it’s where we discover universal truths. We read the Bible because it’s where we learn about God. We read the Bible to fellowship and cultivate a relationship with God for ourselves.
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Psalm 97:1
God is omnipotent; everything is in God’s control. We accept this as a universal truth.
Clouds and darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
97:2
God is Holy. God is righteous and just. Even when we see and experience different. It is this belief that arms us and secures us for the problems of the world.
Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
We let go of fear, scarcity, and control; we choose to live and experience life daily, from our corrected position of victory.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
Psalm 97:4-6
God is sovereign. He has all the power. God is omniscient. He has all the knowledge. This is a belief system.
Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
97:3
Our world has rules; good and bad exist. But…God!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus is talking to his disciples right before His death. Life’s troubles are a guarantee. We shift our perspective and realize that He has given us victory, through him.
Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked
Psalm 97:10
This is the relationship that God wants with each of us. It’s here where you realize that each system of trouble is there to strengthen you and build resilience, you become the voice of accountability as you stand on your moral truth, and/or you walk right into purpose. The evil that you are bothered by is the system you are being called to help dismantle.
Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
97:11
Joy! Joy is not happiness all the time. Joy is a belief system. It is a sense of wellness, self-esteem, and security in who God is to you, in you, and to the world. This is what I believe, no matter what is happening!
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
97:12
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I agree that church hurt can be very painful but thank God for the assurance to not lose hope in God and to continue to stand firm in your beliefs knowing that people are not God but are very flawed trying to get it right, just like we are! I’m going to choose to continue to believe in God and press even further into his Word and ensure he would send me to the right church where I can be used by him even greater and continue to fellowship and learn of him.
I stand in agreement! Let you find the church that is edifying and is a community that is just waiting to receive you!