Reflections/Stories

In this section, we want to post reflections/stories of what God is doing in you as we walk through Romans! If you want to submit something, send your reflection/story to tedw@trinitychapelbc.org.

From September 26:

Thanks for that word of encouragement!  You are so right on track with what you are learning and relaying to us!  Bingo – hit the target re: independence/dependence, and so many other issues.

In my struggles with this issue of how to enjoy God at points of temptation…I had just about given myself the “freedom” just to indulge my temptations (which, being food-oriented, most people would never correct me on, but instead have actually encouraged me to indulge!).  It did matter to me that you even mentioned “dieting” as an example in your sermon!   I at least finally felt the acceptance and love of God when I did indulge – not because I was indulging, but in spite of the fact – which was an improvement for me.  Such sin on my part usually invites some pretty hefty condemnation.  However, God yesterday proved Himself so faithful to me in another area, that I am now forced, in a sense, to “try” again to resist, and not just surrender to the enemy.  Just reading your email this morning is an encouragement again for me to “stay in the fight” and not give up!  This issue of God’s faithfulness, which He proved yesterday after a VERY long time of waiting/testing (over 9 years!) had given me great pause to doubt my ability to hear Him, and/or His ability to make His will known, along with His “ability” and faithfulness to “pull it off,” despite all Hell being against us!  So…now I am again left with the challenge – since God has (deliberately) proven Himself so faithful to me despite my doubt, fears, sin, outright rebellion, anger and unbelief….what excuse will seem plausible now to avoid the struggle, to justify giving in to temptation?  I certainly won’t be able to tell myself (or God!) that He has not given me enough proof to trust Him in these temporal issues….and I can’t tell myself (and be believable) that I am not hearing clearly enough from Him to be sure of what He wants…

I guess I’ll just have to try and give myself over to His love and care, and truly believe that, indeed, “Father knows best” – even if it goes against society’s norms, and hurts my pride and flesh – a lot !

Thanks so much for this series.  And remember – “we are not alone” in the struggle!  He, and “we” are right in there with you!

FROM OCTOBER 8:

Hi Ted,
 
Thanks for the encouragement to press on and be alert and for sharing what God is showing you and for your prayers
 
Your e-mail encouraged me to show up at church last Sunday even though i continue to struggle to get there on time. Last Sunday i applied the ’sin cycle’ to my thoughts without knowing it by not entertaining the ‘you’re late again’ shame message before i left the house which would have gotten me caught in the cycle leading me to not go to church.  Anyway, on Tuesday i experienced a little freedom when i told God ‘i can’t do this – You’ll have to do it through me’, on my way to work.  A song on the radio told me the truth which i decided to believe despite how i was feeling.  By the time i got to work, i had a feeling of joy deep inside knowing God was with me and therefore the day was going to be okay.