I was recently in a group and heard a personal story I thought was profound.
The lady sharing had grown up in an Asian culture. Many Asian families set very high standards and are shame based. She had immigrated to the USA and married and has several children. Like all of us, on occasion she makes mistakes. When she failed at anything, no matter how small, it was crushing to her. She was living as an adult, what she had learned as a child--never make a mistake, and when you do it is serious and shameful. I doubt her parents intended for her to take her childhood learning so seriously as an adult, but that often happens.
Well, this pressure to never fail, and the shame that accompanied the inevitable failure was slowly destroying her. Very wisely, she shared her situation with some Christian friends, and eventually brought it to the church elders to pray for her.
Her report was, that when the elders prayed for her, she had this image of her resting her head in the lap of Jesus who was comforting her.
Wow, let that sink in.
Her testimony is that G^d rescued her from her shame and guilt and convinced her that He forgives her and that she can enjoy the peaceful assurance that the Christ died for her, and that He loves her regardless.
And G^d did all that with a simple prayer.
What do you and I need to take before the L^rd, what do we need to take before the L^rd in the presence of our congregational leaders? YOU may not happen to get relief as quickly as my friend, but her testimony is encouraging.
Why not consider it?
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