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He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights. Psalm 18:33
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I just watched this and experienced mixed emotions throughout this short video. I don’t want to give them away, but would love to hear from you.
Is there a spiritual story you can share to go along with this video? Maybe something that happened in the past or something you are currently facing or anticipating? If you’ve never commented, you have a special invitation to share. It’s open forum day, feel free to share whatever’s on your heart.
Sound off!
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
It’s pretty hard for me to even watch videos like this. He answers questions on another one – says he just likes the adventure and making interesting videos, and that he couldn’t afford to be scared. Trained for a long time. Had two friends with him.
Sometimes God lets me endure a very difficult situation for a long time, then “rescues” me before it becomes almost intolerable. I always see it as approaching the edge of a cliff – He usually waits until I’m just starting to fall. He’s teaching me to trust Him, I think, and my anxiety decreases and my trust increases with every recurrence. He is particularly real for me during these times.
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Thanks, Jeff. I think I’m the same way. I know for me that when I am at worst/lowest – – that is where God can meet me most significantly.
I had a difficult time watching the video, too. I was also just thinking about how each step up the ladder was venturing into more risk and uncertainty. Those feelings can be pretty intense – – and it is at those moments where there is only one certainty that we can cling onto.
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This conveys my feelings at THAT church the moment I found out the pastors/elders/apostles/friends had been using me, lying to me, and I had been in a cult. All of a sudden, I was out on that crane alone. And I wanted to let go.
Nine years of my life had NOT been what I thought it was. After my husband died I changed churches and I thought these people were my friends. I had devoted myself to (what I call) fake people and a church who believe their apostles have absolute authority and extra-biblical revelations. They said “I love you” and I believed them and loved them. After they used me up (financially and emotionally) they were through with me.
My world crashed; I didn’t know ‘christian friends’ (who were pastors and elders, etc) could or would do what these people did. I was told by the pastors “we are going to take care of you as a widow in the church.” But friends do NOT do that to friends even if they are NOT christian.
I’ve had a hard life. My Mother use to ask me how I was always so happy with all the trials I have had to go thru. I had my faith; He was with me. But after that church experience, there were many nights I prayed I wouldn’t wake up the next morning. I didn’t want to live in a world where evil like I saw in that church could thrive. I know a lot of bad things happen in this world; but I was naive to the deception and manipulation that happens behind church doors.
Thru the death of loved ones, health issues and other problems in life, seeing what evil can come from pastors and those pretending to be living a christian life has been one of the most devastating things that has happened to me. A wounded soul is not easily healed.
I know God hung on to me at the end of that crane of spiritual abuse because I didn’t have the strength to hold on. I hope now I can help someone else because I have seen the irreparable damage that can be done to a person’s soul.
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Ang –
Thanks for sharing some of your experience. It sounds like you have had a difficult road. I’m so sorry your trials continued and even increased in the Church. I pray that you find a place/people to worship with and enjoy fellowship. God IS faithful and able to keep those that are his and he never leaves us (though at times it might feel like that has happened.) I hope you are being strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Blessings.
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@ Ang –
I’m so sorry you suffered evil from those who pretended to be Christians who loved you, but would stoop so low as to take advantage of a widow and shatter your heart.
” I know a lot of bad things happen in this world; but I was naive to the deception and manipulation that happens behind church doors. Thru the death of loved ones, health issues and other problems in life, seeing what evil can come from pastors and those pretending to be living a christian life has been one of the most devastating things that has happened to me. A wounded soul is not easily healed.”
And yet you are here, hoping to help someone else. I hope you will share more and tell people some of the things you’ve learned and things that helped you heal.
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Ang,
I can’t imagine your pain. Losing your husband and then having a horrible experience at a church. You were at a place where you wanted to let go. But, I loved at the end when you said, “I know God hung on to me at the end of that crane of spiritual abuse…” I needed to hear this. Right now, I want to let go. For some same and some different reasons as yours. So, I’m hoping I can get to that place where I know that God hangs/hung on…
Prayers for you, Ang.
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btw, JA. I won’t climb up that crane if you don’t either. tc
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Ang said:
Ang – I’ve read bits of your story and each time, I just shake my head in shock. The treatment you endured was horrific. The last paragraph above made me get all teary-eyed. The depth of despair and the divine rescue – – wow – what a beautiful picture!!! Thanks for sharing your experience here, Ang. I’ve been very grateful for the support you have shown others here – – it’s genuine and heart-felt.
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TLC said:
TLC – I think a lot of this are in this together. Let’s just walk on the ground, okay? That seems safer to me 🙂
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“To try to pray is to pray. You can’t fail at it. It’s the only human endeavor I can think of where trying is doing. Reaching out is holding on. Joining in is letting go.”
-Rick Hamlin
This was part of my devotional this morning and had to share it.
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TLC Oh, just WOW! I am keeping that. It was many, many months after I left the church that I tried to pray and I was totally blank. I felt numb and no words would come. And, when you stop and think about it, He knows we are hurting. Thank you!
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