RPM, Volume 11, Number 2, January 11 to January 17 2009

Hang In There!




By Jim Williams



Editor's Note: We all have thoughts — some good - some bad, but nonetheless they are thoughts. Our thoughts should be reflected upon and dealt with biblically (Rom. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:3; Phil. 3:12-17; Phil. 4:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:1, etc.). ‘Just Thinkin' Out Loud' (spelling of ‘thinkin'' is purposeful) is a series of thoughts that are being made public. You may or may not agree with all of the thoughts you read in this series, but it will help all of us to discuss them — out loud. The hope of the author and editors at IIIM is that this will assist all of us to begin personal reflection upon our own thoughts and compare them with God's perspective in Holy Scripture. Readers are encouraged to use small discussion groups and/or our RPM forum for any irenic discussion(s) of these specific thoughts and others they may bring about.
A little learning is a dangerous thing, it is said. A jury in California was presented with more information than was the public, and out came a very unpopular verdict. We think we have more information than the public does, because we believe the bad things about ourselves that we may have heard for years. In the face of a bad self-image, our popularity among others is an unpopular thought. God has to work long and hard to turn this around.

I am 47 years old, and have never been able to take teasing well, because I always perceived it negatively. Some fellow missionaries of mine on a trip to Guatemala did not know it, but they were the first ever to make me feel loved by merciless teasing. Ask them what it was all about, but God showed me on that trip, and I finally believed it: Being teased was being loved. It took so many years for me to get there, and see myself as lovable.

It is still a struggle, but an awesome God has done it. He can do it for you, too. Just hang in there. He who began a good work WILL complete it!

Tell me what you think, I'm just thinkin' out loud.



This article is provided as a ministry of Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill). If you have a question about this article, please email our Theological Editor.

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