Tag:

Guilt

Living Free From Guilt

by GOD TV April 15, 2024

written by GOD TV

If you are human, you’ve experienced guilt. It does not feel good, does it? God created us to be in fellowship with Him, and when we break fellowship, we feel off balance. But, living free from guilt is possible! We just have to choose to stay on course by abiding in Jesus.

A Message on Growing and Walking in Holiness

Katherine and Tom Ruonala are the founders and Senior Ministers of Glory City Church Brisbane. Katherine is also the founder and coordinator of the Australian Prophetic Council. She has a prophetic and healing ministry and carries a strong prophetic and miracle anointing.

Click Here to Watch Katherine Ruonala on GOD TV

In a message on growing and walking in holiness, she taught that we all have a choice on how we’re going to live. Even though we’ve been saved by Jesus, we can get caught in compromise if we’re not intentionally seeking Him.

She said, “I am fully redeemed, righteous… But I still need to learn how to grow and to walk in holiness. I need every day to have my mind transformed by the washing of His word.”

It’s vital that we give our attention to the word of God and to His presence.

Living Free From Guilt

We abide in Jesus by following His words and keeping His commandments. Sometimes Christians are living only in tradition. But traditions do not save us or sanctify us. The blood of Jesus saves us. Simply doing the right things for the sake of doing the right thing leads to a life of striving outside of relationship with Jesus. And then when we mess up, we feel guilty. We should want to do the right thing because we love Jesus.

He has called us to abide in Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Guilt keeps us enslaved in a cycle of trying to do the right thing in our own strength. But, Jesus said to learn from Him (Matthew 11:29). He has a better way. He IS the way (John 14:6).

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Click Here to Watch Katherine Ruonala on GOD TV

Application

You get to decide which kingdom you’re going to live in. Are you choosing light or darkness?

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

Every day, when you wake up, you have a choice! Are there habits in your life that you need to surrender to Jesus? A life in Him is worth it! Come to Him daily, as a son or daughter, fully surrendered. You will choose the right thing, because you want to stay close to His heart.

Prayer

Jesus, I surrender to you. Forgive me for living apart from you. I want to abide in you and you in me. Today I choose to walk in the light! Amen.

______________________

Watch more from Katherine Ruonala on GOD TV here

April 15, 2024 0 comment

Faith

Do You Ever Get Angry And Feel Guilty?

by Rene Lafaut December 11, 2021

written by Rene Lafaut

Have you ever felt guilty when you get angry and when you mention it to someone you trust, they say, “You are worrying about nothing…it’s okay to get angry.”, but your guilt remains?

You have the idea that you are judging, but you have no idea about what the judgment could be! You feel insecure. You feel like you don’t have a steady path to walk on when involved in a dispute, and when you do feel sure footed you land up hurting people. You feel insecure when you want to complain or do complain. It’s like you don’t know where your boundaries end and someone else’s begins. You try to minimize things but you get confused or confuse people. You don’t handle conflicts well. You jump around and land up conceding victory to those you have disputes with because the only emotion you feel is intense guilt. People think you are a people pleaser.

And you are sure they are correct.

So, how does one diagnose such a behavior pattern? One needs to understand the anatomy of a stronghold sin. So, how can we heal it? There are many forces at play here!

First, you are getting guilty for good reason. You are likely unaware of what causes the guilt because it is in your subconscious very likely learned years ago from parents or teachers together with Satan.

One thing for sure, you learned a behavior that sticks to the anger. But what could it be? Who taught you this? Jesus knows, so ask him… maybe? But you don’t hear God’s voice outside Scripture too well like other people do. Maybe getting books on how to hear God’s voice more clearly would help (I think this to be a healthy thing: try these two authors: Brad Jersak or Mark Virkler).

Fact is, I had the above diagnoses for years. People judged me as weak and rightly so. They didn’t listen to my words but they listened to the energy within me and wrote me off as a vehicle without meaning.

For sure, I had some friends who saw some beauty in me, loved me and cared for me. But I wanted to grow in love, grow strongly in love. If you look at the Bible for answers it points to Jesus and His Message. Not just a historical figure, but an ever present helper in times of trouble.

If anything be true, I was the worst of sinners. But I had faith in Jesus. I also had a huge mess in my heart, and branches piercing my spiritual vision. I needed very specialized tools to dismantle the strongholds of sin in my life. And as I searched the Scriptures, listened to the body of Christ and reasoned with God I started to learn how to confess my sins, repent from my sins in prayer and give up the sin attitudes deep within myself.

So, what caused my guilt when I got angry week after week? For me it was mixing my meanness with my anger. This marriage of meanness with anger was so well conceived that I could not see the meanness. But as God showed me more of what was in my heart, he brought healing to me with it.

Do you have this diagnosis? If you want healing, growth in love, to be a strong vehicle of meaning, not coming across as weak and with no self-respect. Check out my book called, “Dismantling the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Within So Love Can Thrive”. It is found online at Amazon.

___

Your Choice Can Be Used Against You – Lessons from Norma McCorvey

by Henrietta Decruz August 31, 2020

written by Henrietta Decruz

Many of us know about the landmark Roe vs Wade case in which the US Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute making abortion legal across the United States in 1973. This ‘historic decision’ facilitated the termination of more than 50 million lives since that time. This is a shocking figure compared to the 6 million Jews & 11 million others who perished in the Holocaust. Very few people know the circumstances in which Norma McCorvey made the decision to abort her baby and how she was led to filing the case.

Norma McCorvey: An Uninformed Decision

It was not her idea in the first place. Many of those who vociferously fight for or against abortion don’t know that ultimately Norma did not abort her baby, she gave the baby for adoption. She said she agreed to file the case because she was paid, she needed the money. There are many talking about her depending on which side of the issue they stand on. Some even claim that the pro-life movement paid her to speak against abortion.

The Conversion of Norma McCorvey

Overwhelming Guilt & Salvation

What is tragic about Norma’s story is that she had no clue what she was getting into. When she was confronted with the fact that millions of babies were killed, it dawned on her that she too was responsible for those deaths. She felt horrible when she saw empty playgrounds. The guilt of being part of the crime of taking the lives of those unborn and assisting in the pro-abortion clinic took a toll on her.

However, Norma McCorvey found hope in Jesus. We know that Jesus didn’t shun the repentant criminal who was crucified next to Him. Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” ‘(Luke 23:43) Norma repented and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” she received Jesus and became a new creation.

Norma McCorvey: Lessons & Warnings for Us

The video above shares Norma’s journey to find the truth, her salvation, and how she tried to make amends for the destructive trend she began. However, there are several lessons we can learn from Norma’s life. Ignoring this warning will be detrimental to us.

Seeing how she was made a pawn in this deadly game, we need to realize that people who want to take advantage of us will never tell us the whole truth. Today we know that fake news stories are misleading millions of people. These stories have been doctored to sway our minds and hearts. When we fall for their lies and half-truths, tragically it is we who end up becoming losers. Like Norma, it is possible we won’t know until it is too late. Our rights and our future is at stake.

God wants to protect us

God gave us His instructions so that we could be free from guilt and grief since these self-demeaning acts affect us and others too. The culture of this world threw away fidelity, encourages promiscuous behavior, and adultery so much that it has become the norm. As a result of one night stands and temporary ‘hook-ups’, women end up having ‘unwanted pregnancies’ and seek abortion as a ‘solution.’

Today it is a well-known fact that the women who abort a baby do face grief, loss, anxiety, guilt, and many emotional or psychological stress symptoms. Research has shown that even men can feel overwhelmed, experience disturbing thoughts about abortion, and have feelings of grief and loss. Thankfully, those who suffer this grief can now repent and find healing. Moreover, it is important that young people are encouraged to live godly and wholesome lives.

Amends & Restitution

Grievous acts have spiritual consequences. Adam & Eve’s sins brought curses on them. Taking Abel’s life brought a curse on Cain too. Speaking to Sid Roth, Kevin Zadai said a curse had come upon America due to Roe vs Wade, which can break when it is overturned. He said, it is important every American citizen votes conscientiously in the coming elections, America’s future depends on it.

If you have gone away from Jesus, you can repent and return to Him, He will forgive you. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Seek the Lord’s forgiveness for what you have done and begin a new chapter in your life. He is waiting for you!

August 31, 2020 0 comment

Faith

How To Get Rid Of Guilt And Shame

by Jenna Winston July 27, 2020

written by Jenna Winston

My ability to let go of guilt and shame was not great to say the least. After drug addiction had led me to lying and stealing from those closest to me, it was hard to let the weight of it go. My kids didn’t want to talk to me or have anything to do with me. I had burnt every bridge. I had an encounter with God that changed everything when I was in rehab.

A Crazy Vision

Now, stay with me, God showed me a crazy unique vision. I share the full vision on my podcast, but in the vision, I was in a swimming pool full of butts. Every time Jesus tried to show me His love, I would say, “Yeah, but Jesus I stole. But Jesus I lied. But Jesus I manipulated. But Jesus I’ll still struggle with this.” I had a list of things where I constantly reminded God why I’m not good enough. Jesus told me, “You’ve created yourself quite the pool of butts!”

This vision really got my attention. There’s nothing worse than standing in a swimming pool seeing all the “buts” you’re holding on to that are keeping you from the Father’s love!

Jesus gave me an invitation that I know He wants to give you as well: “Once and for all this is it. All the ‘buts’ are right here. I am standing here telling you that I love you and I want to take your guilt and shame.” He told me, “When you choose to crawl out of this pool, it’s done. You’re leaving the guilt and shame behind.”

The Invitation To Step Into Freedom

If you’re hesitating at this invitation, it’s probably because you’re thinking something similar to what I was thinking. I believed the lie that if people I hurt didn’t see me suffering, then they wouldn’t believe I was sorry for the terrible things I had done. Or your lie might be that hanging on to the guilt and shame helps you make sure you don’t mess up again.

If you’re hesitating in leaving your guilt and shame behind, pray this prayer:

Jesus, we come before you and ask for forgiveness, and we choose to receive forgiveness. Lord, we break partnership with guilt and shame, and we command it to go. And Lord we repent for all the things we have picked up the responsibility of proving we are sorry instead of trusting you. That we tried to carry all on our own. Lord, we thank you for our friends and family. If there’s people that need to be restored to us, that You would give us the strength and ability to lay those relationships at your feet and trust you to bring it around. We thank you for that Lord in Jesus’ name.

When we choose to believe in the power of the cross and forgiveness, which takes our guilt and shame, and stop trying to prove ourselves, it sets us free to press into Jesus and keep Him as our focus!

Going Deeper

If you want to learn more about prophetic deliverance for yourself and others, check out my Live Teaching Intensive coming up on August 8th: How to Operate in Spirit-Led Deliverance

If you’re facing something that you want helping walking through into healing, you can book a session with me on my website: www.heartscaping.co

Supermodel Hailey Bieber Reveals That Her Purpose Is To Represent Jesus

by Rhoda Gayle May 21, 2020

written by Rhoda Gayle

Supermodel Hailey Bieber shares about her struggle with guilt for not always being the good, Christian girl and reveals her purpose is to represent Jesus.

Supermodel Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber was brought up in a Christian upbringing with her father, Stephen Baldwin, being a devout Christian. Due to her family’s belief, she felt the pressure of being the good, Christian girl. In a recent interview with Hillsong church, the supermodel opened up about her struggle from her past.

Guilt From Christian Upbringing

Hailey revealed that a few months after being married to superstar Justin Bieber, she had to battle a lot of guilt.

“I think where it stems from for me is that I was raised in a Christian household. I grew up with Christian parents and I put extra guilt on myself to be this good girl, to fill this role of being like this goody-two-shoes, good girl, and what I learned leading up to being married is it’s just not realistic,” Hailey said in the interview.

Guilt “Doesn’t Have To Define Who We Are”

The TV personality then shared an important message to everyone: guilt would never define who we are.

“I think in the beginning, especially for the first six or seven months of being married, I was just ridden with guilt, I wish I hadn’t done this,” she said. “I wish I had just walked into this clean and free and [with a] clean slate, but what it taught me is that it’s just a) not realistic, and b) we all have guilt and we all feel shame for things we’ve done, but it doesn’t have to define who we are, and it didn’t have to define me in my relationship.”

Bigger Purpose

It was her relationship with Jesus Christ that made her change her ways and views about her identity.

“We’re constantly evolving especially in Jesus,” she added. “Our relationship with Christ is going deeper and deeper … Where I was before I was a wife. And who I was before I was a wife is not who I am now.”

Hailey Bieber also revealed that her purpose is to represent Jesus.

“I think my bigger purpose is to be a light. I’m here to represent Jesus through me for other people, for His will to be done.”

Reference: The Christian Post

May 21, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith

From Guilt To Forgiveness And Moving On

by Rene Lafaut December 11, 2019

written by Rene Lafaut

When a Christian doesn’t have guilt, then it is easier to celebrate the salvation Jesus gave us. But when we struggle with real or false guilt then it is harder for praise to gush forth from our lips. For those who love God and care about the truth, praising God when caught in a sin isn’t always easy. However, it is desirable because Jesus doesn’t only save us from our guilt, but from sinful acts through His grace.

Guilt And Our Conscience

Some people’s consciences are healthy, whereas others are less so. How do we get a defective conscience? We get one when we trust a person as a good source (in an area where it is not warranted). Or when we swallow a lie in the presence of convincingly carefully packaged truths. It is true that in some cases our beliefs can condemn us because of our actions. And for one person something might not be a sin as it is for another (see Romans 14:1-4). For those who take their Bible seriously and attempt to live by Jesus’ words, having a clean conscience may not always be that easy to hold onto. Thank God that there are forgiveness and grace. Satan always accuses us but will also accuse us of guilt when we go against interpretations of certain Bible verses that we wrongly buy into. Many times our interpretations of the Scriptures can be spot on, but other times they are misled by the enemy.

Forgiveness

Ultimately forgiveness comes from Jesus as our Saviour. So we go to Him when we have guilt especially when we don’t know how to get free from it. Sometimes we can be caught in serious sins. Other times we are hampered by a moral code that is so legalistic and hard to understand. But it has a hold on us because we either faultily accrued it over the years or others we respect to hold the code to be true too. We are all impressionable to some degree and need to watch ourselves carefully.

The Good News or Gospel means that we are called to have a change of mind and believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. A change of mind has to do with giving up what Jesus calls sin (i.e. bad attitudes, hurting people and breaking commands from the Bible). Now we aren’t perfect. So just how much of a change of mind does Jesus expect from us for Salvation to be genuine?

Humble Faith

I think Jesus accepts us when we commit to doing things His way through living a humble faith in Him even when we don’t know how to get there. We are surprised by how much moral unhealthiness can exist in our hearts. It is often hidden from us because of our blind spots even as followers of Jesus. What’s more, we can be surprised by how much Jesus still loves us despite the unhealthy baggage we carry from our pasts. This baggage often still influences our decisions and opinions to this day. Moreover, we can agree with God that our behavior is sinful, but not know how to repent from it. I know that this has been the case for me. We have one battle to fight at a time. “The righteous fall down seven times and get up each time; the wicked fall down once and never get up.” (Proverbs 24:16)

Guilt: Final Words

Some guilt continues because we intellectualize forgiveness. But instead we embrace God’s forgiveness emotionally. And when we confess our sins to Him, then it helps to fortify us from old and new temptations and grants us a measure of joy and peace! Lighthearted confessions can’t do what genuine confessions do. 1 John 1:9 says that when we “confess our sins to God, He is trustworthy and upright to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. It helps tremendously to emotionally receive and hold onto this promise during and after confession. It allows God’s grace and peace to get deeper inside of us. Thus the sin compulsions weaken over time as we navigate the learning curves God has us on when it comes to repentance! It is important to be teachable and willing to learn from God and other vehicles of meaning and purpose! We together have the mind of Christ! Not separately!

For an approach on how to repent from sins that works for me see my book called: Dismantling the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Within So love Can Thrive. Both grace and truth are necessary for the transformation of our minds and hearts so love, kindness, and compassion come forth instead of sin.

December 11, 2019 0 comment

Articles

The Repentance Series Part 1: Is Repentance Important Today?

by Henrietta Decruz August 30, 2019

written by Henrietta Decruz

Have you ever been very angry at someone because of something they did? How did it feel?

Many people get angry and decide not to talk to the person who hurt them until he or she makes amends. Some would even vent out they feel and expect a ‘Sorry, I won’t do it again,’ from the erring person. There are those who are let off but then you find them doing the same thing again. You might get angry to the point of never wanting to talk to that person again!

Relationships are very important

The saying that ‘No man is an island’ is very true. We cannot survive without relationships.

God is like us, too. He values relationships. In fact, He made us human beings in His own image. He made us a lot like Him, so much so that we have a need for relationships and love just like Him. The truth is that God created Adam so He could have a relationship with him!

Sin separates us from God

Our relationship with God is the most important thing we have. Our life on earth is temporary. Everyone will die eventually. After this lifetime we will spend eternity somewhere – either in heaven or hell. God wants us to spend eternity with Him. He has laid down instructions so that we can be with Him in heaven. God’s instructions are also called ‘laws.’ When we do something His laws, it is called ‘sin.’

Sin separates us from God

‘Sin’ is defined as a “transgression of the law of God.” Sin grieves the Creator’s heart and causes a distance to come between God and us. Just as we expect those who hurt us to say ‘sorry’ and make amends, God too expects us to realize we have done wrong, repent and make amends.

What does ‘Repentance‘ mean? The Cambridge Dictionary says, “The fact of showing that you are very sorry for something bad you have done in the past, and wish that you had not done it.” The definition of ‘repent’ is “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one’s mind; to cause to feel regret or contrition; to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for.”

How important is repentance to God?

In Ezekiel 18:30-32 God says, “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” NIV

In the book of Jonah, after the prophet warned the people of Nineveh, they turned from their wicked ways. Their repentance caused God to change His decision and not destroy them. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God revoked His [sentence of] evil that He had said that He would do to them and He did not do it [for He was comforted and eased concerning them].” Jonah 3:10 AMP

Jonah speaks about the nature of God in Jonah 4:2, He says, “You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and [when sinners turn to You and meet Your conditions] You revoke the [sentence of] evil against them.” AMP

Is Repentance relevant today?

Many people think that repentance is not relevant today. The truth is that both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministry by calling for repentance. Matthew 3: 1-2 says, “In those days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of Judea. And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” AMP

Repentance

Jesus began to preach, saying “Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 In Mark 1:15 Jesus says, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).” AMP

A Time for Soul-searching

There are times in our life when we need to think about the things we have done, close some chapters and put some things away. Even growing up requires us to stop being children, and start accepting and assuming the role and duty of an adult.

Take some time off from the busyness of life to ponder if there is something that weighs heavily on your heart. Is there something that you have done that makes you feel guilty, dirty or makes you hate yourself? Is there something you feel you have to hide so others won’t hate you? Is there something that causes you to go far away from God as it makes you feel uncomfortable inside? These are the things that you need to take to God, ask for His help to deal with and overcome so that you can a carefree and happy life as His child again.

Are you ready to repent for your wrongdoing and live a wholesome and peaceful life?

God is waiting for you!

August 30, 2019 0 comment

News

Radical Makeovers Launches on GOD TV

by GOD TV January 17, 2018

written by GOD TV

Radical Makeovers Redefines Beauty

Makeovers, photo shoots, and adventures. It’s all in this new series launching on GOD TV on Monday January 22 at 10.30pm. Produced by filmmaker, Rebecca Friedlander, Radical Makeovers features the transformational stories of 30 young women from different countries.

“I travel the world with my camera uncovering the real definition of what it means to be beautiful,” says Rebecca, “Together we are redefining beauty as we hear the stories of girls who have been made over inside out by God the author of beauty.”

Rebecca is also a worship leader and artist who uses clay to share Scriptural truths in a unique way. She uses her potter’s wheel as a powerful illustration of God as the Potter and His people as His clay. This theme runs throughout the Radical Makeovers series as lives are changed, remodelled and God makes everything beautiful in His time.

The first season deals with many of the issues facing women today from eating disorders to all kinds of abuse, helping viewers to overcome guilt and shame and walk in the freedom Jesus brings. Radical Makeovers includes the following 12 episodes:

Coming up on Radical Makeovers on GOD TV

Courageous Beauty – The adventure begins as Rebecca journeys to Alaska where she goes on an epic ride with horse wranglers. Then, it’s over to Paris, France for our first makeovers.
Overcoming Fear – Meet Oriel, who’s makeover in Jerusalem, Israel helps us to conquer fear with true love. Also meet Charla for a musical journey and beautiful banquet table!
Anorexia – The daughter of porn stars, Samantha shares her journey to freedom from eating disorders. This is followed by the story of a stunning makeover from the UK.
Mexico – Beauty abounds in these Mexican makeovers as we move from brokenness to true identity.
Letting Go – A former stripper shares her powerful story of healing and redemption in Christ. Meanwhile, a Nashville music artist vulnerably shares her journey to wholeness.
Bulimia – Discover how an eating disorder steals true beauty and how Christ brings freedom and real identity!
The Mom Factor – A Mrs America runner up shares about her restoration with her daughter. A story of abuse, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Eating Disorders – Meet Emily in the heart of London and Janie, a Texas girl. Both share about taking off the mask, stripping away rejection and embracing God’s love.
Abuse – Rebecca travels to Northern Israel to meet a recording artist who has overcome her past of abuse. Plus, meet an Arizona woman who has stepped into her true identity.
Broken Heart – In this episode Rebecca focuses on healing from date rape, divorce, and anger. With powerful stories from the Middle East and the USA.
Hope – Isabel, a Norwegian model, takes us behind the flashbulbs of the runways. In addition, Megan’s makeover in London reveals the secrets of true beauty without performance.
Image – Overcoming bullying words and the belief she was worthless, Brittny discovers the Father heart of God. In a fitting conclusion to the first season of Radical Makeovers Becky shares about overcoming insecurity.

Watch Radical Makeovers on GOD TV on Mondays at 10.30 pm (GMT / EST) with a replay on Tuesdays at 2.30pm from January 22nd, 2018.

January 17, 2018 0 comment

Faith

At The End Of Your Rope? Listen to Mandisa’s New Inspiring Single “Unfinished”

by GOD TV May 31, 2017

written by GOD TV

Mandisa’s New Hit Single “Unfinished”

On the coattails of the release of the Grammy-award winning album Overcomer, Mandisa all but disappeared from the spotlight. After such a long period of silence (almost four years), many of her fans were left wondering what had happened to Mandisa and her powerful declaration of divinely-inspired strength, power, and grit. During her break from the public eye, Mandisa fought an inner spiritual battle, only to arise victorious – with God’s help. Here’s her unfinished story, as told in a recent “story behind the song” for “Unfinished”.

The Catalyst of Art

It seems that the most inspiring works of art emerge from a place of deep despair and heartache. This phenomenon is a testament of God’s redemptive nature – that even the most troubling times catalyze beautiful, divinely-inspired art.

For no artist is this truer than Mandisa. In fact, her new song “Unfinished” arose out of the darkness of her close friend’s death. And the inspiration for her 2013 album Overcomer was her ongoing battle with Binge Eating Disorder – a food addiction characterized by unhealthy eating patterns that are often followed by intense guilt and shame.

Struggling with Food Addiction

On August 31, 2011, two years before the release of Overcomer, Mandisa came forward with her very personal struggle via social media: “As a food addict with binge eating disorder, I cannot tell u how many times I have said 2 myself that I simply couldn’t understand why I kept repeating the same destructive patterns ovr and ovr again! I would do well 4 a while but then inevitably something would happen & I would slip back into a period of sitting n my house stuffing myself sick w/ high fat, high sugar foods.. I know all too well how this behavior makes me feel: miserable! But I felt like I could not stop. Eventually, I would get fed up with the natural repercussions of my binge (sleepless nights, clothes beginning to fit too tight, shame leading to feeling distant from God) and I’d “get back on the wagon.”

She admitted to continuing this cycle of addiction for much of her adult life before coming to the end of her rope. It was here that she surrendered to God and penned the inspiring lyrics of her song “Overcomer.” To her fans, she advised, “If you find yourself at the end of your rope today, know that that is exactly where you should be. For it’s at the end of your rope that you’ll find Jesus.”

Questioning God

After her life-changing declaration that we – as Christians -are overcomers, Mandisa conquered her food addiction – or so she thought. Little did she know that she would yet again be challenged – this time with her friend’s death. When her friend Keesha was diagnosed with breast cancer, Mandisa prayed for Keesha’s healing, but it never came.

According to Mandisa, after Keesha’s death, “I started questioning, doubting, and wondering, ‘Is this God that I believe in really good? If so why would he allow this to happen?’” She even started to question God’s existence. She retreated from the public eye and entered into one of the deepest depressions of her life. This depression would last several years, and it would reawaken her food addiction.

Buy “Unfinished” on iTunes

Shame

Imagine having publicly declared that you have overcome your food addiction, only to return to it soon after the declaration. The shame that normally accompanies Binge Eating Disorder was amplified by the fact that Mandisa – and her fans – had fervently believed that she had conquered her addiction. Mandisa admits, “I battle the same sins over and over again. I battle so much with shame.”

But, according to Mandisa, “As God started to lift me out of that pit, he started to show me some things.” These divine lessons are the basis for her new song “Unfinished.”

Unfinished

Embodying humility, Mandisa admits to her continued struggles. However, she doesn’t stop there. She clings to what she knows to be true: “My God is still good and still faithful.” His faithfulness is evident in Philippians 1:6, which has become her go-to Scripture: “He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ.”

Here’s what Mandisa has learned: “Instead of wallowing in shame, pity, and regret, He wants me to turn around, to repent, to start all over again, to not dwell in all of that negativity, and to trust that He is still working in my life.” Her first step? To write another song of faith – “Unfinished.”

To us, Mandisa offers this affirmation: “You’re not a mess. You’re not a failure. You’re not a mistake. You’re just unfinished.”

Mandisa - Unfinished (Song Story)

Whether you struggle with addiction, self-doubt, fear of failure, or a multitude of other challenges, rest in the assurance that God is not finished with you yet.

https://youtu.be/Ejycllx5iwA

May 31, 2017 0 comment

Faith

It Doesn’t Matter Who You Are or What You’ve Done, Jesus Says You Are Enough!

by Kelsie Fargo May 16, 2017

written by Kelsie Fargo

You Are Enough

I was recently watching a sermon by John Burke in which he interviewed several people who had near death experiences and went to heaven. Several said they experienced a review of their earthly lives in front of Jesus. One man talked about the moments of his life in review that pained Christ so much that this man felt like he was figuratively stabbing Jesus in the heart.

God created YOU because YOU were enough.

He didn’t spend more time creating the people you envy. Did you read that? He didn’t spend one second more on anyone else you compare yourself to. When Jesus said in Matthew 10:30, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered,” He was not exaggerating. He knew exactly what He was doing. He modeled you after Himself.

Think about this…

If Jesus was standing in front of you today, would you go down the long list of things you don’t like about yourself that He should’ve created differently? Every time you tell yourself you aren’t enough, you are figuratively stabbing the heart of your Creator.

Romans 5:8 says, “…but God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use to Him.”

You are important enough to God to justify the death of His own son. You are chosen, you are set apart, and you are enough.

May 16, 2017 0 comment