During my storm, I was SO self-absorbed in my pain that I was not able to function beyond the bare minimum. I was very very alone as I had no one that understood what I was going through. No one supported what I was doing, keeping myself IN the never-ending receiving end of what appeared to be a doormat, disrespected, taken advantage of, and used position. No one understood that is where God put me and I knew what it looked like, heck, I questioned it every single day if it was God or the enemy that placed me as this mat to be walked on. But I knew God had laid me down as a welcome mat, and others only saw a doormat to be walked on. Being alone in this was very hard and I didn’t understand why back then. 

I do now. The only way I could be totally comfortable and not question what I share and teach is by the assurance I have that it came straight from the Lord. It’s nothing I learned from a book written by someone else’s revelation. Or a support group. It came from long talks with God. Long worship sessions, and long periods of being on my face, humbling myself crying on His chest. At that time I didn’t fully understand why He kept me all to Himself………but I know now……..it was for YOU. He was preparing me to help my neighbor, love my neighbor. It’s so easy to love and help your family. But  God wants us to help those outside our circle because THAT is a deeper reflection of Who He really is. 

Jesus went outside the circle through His sacrifice so that gentiles could be adopted and grafted in. So that we, neighbors to the chosen ones, the Jews could be INVITED into their promises.

We go into a self-preservation season when the trauma comes that doesn’t leave us much room to take care of our neighbors in the way God asks us to. And that is perfectly ok for a SEASON as you navigate this new way of living. 

I woke today deeply impressed by God how Standers are a unique family because we all share in something that knits our hearts together. We get it. We fully and totally understand what each of us is going through and what God is calling us to when those outside of standing have been our closest family and friends, but they don’t have a clue how to relate. They don’t understand us, even though they are trying, many don’t agree because they can’t FEEL the same calling and conviction from the Lord that is drawing out hearts for our one flesh. 

But here, in this family of Standers, we share this bond that unites us.  

There is something that comes to us when we reach out and help our family. We fulfill obligation and self-gratification because it’s our human responsibility to help our own family. But what happens when we help our neighbor who we hardly know? Or a total stranger that we meet in this group?

I find it profound what follows the first commandment …

30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31

 

God has a message that is DEEP here. 

It’s natural, easy, and brings your soul satisfaction as you fulfill those obligations to help those that are close to you and in your inner circle. But when you go out of your way to help those that are not in your circle, not your responsibility, something else comes to you by way of your spirit. You step out of the human way, and into the Kingdom way. You are walking in your kingdom role serving Him and representing God as one of His children and faithful servants. 

Some of the discontent, dissatisfaction, and deep void that we feel in our souls is when our spirits are not doing what they are created to do. When we live in a way that we are always appeasing our flesh and souls and ignoring that third part of us, our spirits will rise up and demand that we pay attention to it. Our spirits are meant to connect with God and fulfill the commandments that we LOVE God, Love our neighbors as ourselves. When it can’t do that, it will throw a fit and demand you do something about it.

What happens is people are not grasping that they are a 3 in one being. Flesh, soul, spirit. When that deep void, discontent, and dissatisfaction comes up, they think there is something missing in their souls/flesh and seek how to give it what it needs. They become SELFISH and seek out how to be happy. The whole time the answer was their spirits asking for them to become SELFLESS and do the work of the kingdom because when that happens, your spirit gets what it needs.

During your Stand, you will take the time to FIRST learn how to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” And then you need to remember to  ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’

If you are feeling discontent within yourself, it could be time to examine if your spirit is trying to tell you something. Asking you to step into your Kingdom role and love your neighbors. Loving other Standers is a great place to start. Offering to pray with them over the phone, reaching out to offer help and support if they are sick and in need. We have many Standers who are very alone and incredibly isolated during this time. That can be overcome by allowing others to help or offering your help and love to others.

Remember, there is no commandment GREATER than these!

Standing with you,
Sheila Hollinger