tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775370624676947990.post7055798369429477611..comments2023-04-05T02:13:33.282-06:00Comments on ἀναπνέω: Emily M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14790810328013420257noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775370624676947990.post-84763033352796731102012-01-18T19:41:09.307-06:002012-01-18T19:41:09.307-06:00I would give you advice, but I really don't th...I would give you advice, but I really don't think my kind of advice is the kind you're looking for...<br /><br />Keeping it simple, and without getting into my very strong opinions of things like religion and prayer, I would say that the thing I think will make the biggest difference and help you the most would be to just try and take the pressure off yourself when it comes to changing where you're at, being comfortable at church, or forcing yourself to pray. Faith shouldn't be something that makes you uncomfortable or stresses you out...so if that's what's happening, then maybe you need to take a step back and give yourself a break while you try to work out why.<br /><br />I don't know if any of that even really makes sense...it's kind of hard to give advice while simultaneously self-censoring...Deweyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13802245373567762666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775370624676947990.post-18664581506827840172012-01-18T07:51:13.333-06:002012-01-18T07:51:13.333-06:00I have thoughts- to be taken or not taken, but jus...I have thoughts- to be taken or not taken, but just thoughts/opinions.<br /><br />The first is that our relationship with God is just that, a relationship. Like all relationships, it changes because we are human (we change). It's ok to doubt, to feel isolated, to feel abandoned. <br /><br />If that's what is happening, my biggest advice right now is Stop Feeling Guilty. Period. You are the one making yourself feel guilty. The Old Testament way was to make people feel guilty if they did not follow "the law." Jesus came to straighten us out on that- "love God, love your neighbor" are the commandments He gave us. You can't develop a healthy relationship if all you feel is guilt. We had gotten so far away from God with our guilt at not obeying a set of laws perfectly that Jesus had to come and set the relationship straight. Stop the Guilt. Just Love. <br /><br />Finally, if you can't pray but want to, just Be Still. Prayer is the conversation you have, and if you are doing all the talking it's not a conversation anyway. Just listen for a while.<br /><br />It will get better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com