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09-19-2018, 05:37 AM

There is so much good stuff on this thread. Thank you, Trapped, for starting it and engaging in it. I don't have much time to say all that I'd like. But I can relate to your struggles and realizations, and I am thankful for your opening these things up, and for those here who are responding to you with so much grace and wisdom.

I'd like to suggest a couple of things:

1) Is it possible for you to change your username? If you call yourself "Trapped," it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Our words about ourselves matter. You are NOT trapped. It is clear from your words that you are in the process of escaping (and in many ways have already escaped) the Local Church trap, both in your mind and in your circumstances. It reminds me of this verse: "We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped." - Psa. 124:7. If you can, think of a name about yourself that accurately describes you, or a name that describes how God sees you. For certain, He does not see you as trapped. Christ died to set you free, and it's beneficial to remind yourself of what's true, and reject what's false. If you can't change your name (because of the website), or don't want to, at least recognize that in Christ, you are no longer trapped. You are seated with Him in the heavenly places. The enemy no longer has any authority over you. You are free. (The people who remain in the trap don't like that you are free, and will try to bring you back into slavery).

2) As others have suggested, please consider finding a Christian counselor. If you don't know where to look, you can call any evangelical church and ask them to direct you to someone they recommend. Or you can look up the websites of churches in your area and see if they have a counseling center. It would be helpful for you to talk these things through with someone who is trained professionally. There are lots of really great counselors out there. Also, there are people who not credentialed but who simply have a gift at helping others through trials, and a church can direct you to them (in my church they are called "lay counselors").

Just some suggestions. May God bless you in your journey. You are going in the right direction, and He loves you far more than you can ever comprehend.

09-19-2018, 05:37 AM	#46
Free from LC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How do you know the Lord's leading? There is so much good stuff on this thread. Thank you, Trapped, for starting it and engaging in it. I don't have much time to say all that I'd like. But I can relate to your struggles and realizations, and I am thankful for your opening these things up, and for those here who are responding to you with so much grace and wisdom. I'd like to suggest a couple of things: 1) Is it possible for you to change your username? If you call yourself "Trapped," it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Our words about ourselves matter. You are NOT trapped. It is clear from your words that you are in the process of escaping (and in many ways have already escaped) the Local Church trap, both in your mind and in your circumstances. It reminds me of this verse: "We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped." - Psa. 124:7. If you can, think of a name about yourself that accurately describes you, or a name that describes how God sees you. For certain, He does not see you as trapped. Christ died to set you free, and it's beneficial to remind yourself of what's true, and reject what's false. If you can't change your name (because of the website), or don't want to, at least recognize that in Christ, you are no longer trapped. You are seated with Him in the heavenly places. The enemy no longer has any authority over you. You are free. (The people who remain in the trap don't like that you are free, and will try to bring you back into slavery). 2) As others have suggested, please consider finding a Christian counselor. If you don't know where to look, you can call any evangelical church and ask them to direct you to someone they recommend. Or you can look up the websites of churches in your area and see if they have a counseling center. It would be helpful for you to talk these things through with someone who is trained professionally. There are lots of really great counselors out there. Also, there are people who not credentialed but who simply have a gift at helping others through trials, and a church can direct you to them (in my church they are called "lay counselors"). Just some suggestions. May God bless you in your journey. You are going in the right direction, and He loves you far more than you can ever comprehend.