Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue

Luthitarian: How Would God Answer You?

posted by Beyond Blue | 5:45am Thursday December 4, 2008

Group BB rose.jpg
As I mentioned in my last post, on the discussion thread, “Dear God: A Little Venting,” Group Beyond Blue member Luthitarian posted his letter to God, and then wrote a poignant reflection on what God’s response would be. Other members did the same. Reading these responses from God was so empowering. I think it’s a wonderful exercise to try on your own. Here’s Luthitarian’s letter, a great example:
Dear Bob,
Please, Please, know that I am with you! The very tears you shed are my own. The very ache you feel is my own heart breaking. And I know that you are feeling helpless, lost, and angry. I know it’s hard to be carrying that anger and not have anywhere to direct it; no one to ‘blame’.
First, though, don’t blame yourself! I created you with the freedom of choice and the limited, finite being that you are is going to make some bad choices. So, even if the suffering you are going through is the direct result of your choices–or even the innocent suffering as the victim of someone else’s choices, so, let it go. That’s simply the way things are. It’s not the best system, but it’s the one that gives you the greatest freedom to love and to be loved, or even to reject the option of love. Love should never be forced, controlled or manipulated, but always unconditional. Love can only be love when it’s a conscious, unconditional, choice. And unconditional love can hurt like hell. Believe me, I know.
Also, it’s frustrating when circumstances are beyond your control, as life circumstances and health issues often are. Know that you are not a bad person who deserves any of your “fate”. Know that you are not being punished by me, the universe, Mother Nature, the Norns, the Furies, Sauron, the Wicked Witch of the North or any other entity.
Forrest Gump had it right: “sh*t happens”. And if you want to blame me for that, then that’s okay. I wouldn’t be God if I couldn’t handle it! Dump all your anger and bitterness on me, and I’ll return it to you as healing love.
I’m as close as your own heartbeat and as much a part of you as your own breath. My Being moves in and through you, supporting and sustaining you. Yes, “Shit happens.” But I’m happening in the midst of that shit. Turn around. You won’t see some God sitting on a high throne pure and pristeen in robes as white as anything you’ve ever seen in a tv laundry detergent commercial. No, I’m at your side, deep in the muck with you, deep within the creation, moving, a touch here, a nudge there, a comforting pat and an encouraging, loving word, drawing creation–and you–to fulfillment.
You are my very Life embodied in the world! How could I not love you!? How could I ever let you go?

To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.



Previous Posts

How Do You Heal Loneliness?
If I had to name the most common complaint I hear among depressives, it is that they are lonely. Just five minutes ago, I replied on a thread within Group Beyond Blue to a woman who started a thread called "Who Do I Turn To?" She wants so badly to connect with another woman--as the anchors in her li

posted 6:33:10am Feb. 16, 2012 | read full post »

Rewire Your Brain For Love: An Interview with Marsha Lucas, Ph.D.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I thought I’d feature an interview with a very cool licensed psychologist and neuropsychologist that I was lucky enough to meet in person at a book signing back in September. Marsha Lucas, Ph.D., has been practicing psychotherapy and studying the brain-behavior re

posted 6:00:56am Feb. 14, 2012 | read full post »

Love Deeply ...
Valentine's Day is a good time to remember all the ways we can be loving, not just to the guy/gal sitting across from you at the kitchen table, but also your boss, your mother, your boss's mother, and her mother. One of my very favorite reflections from Henri Nouwen is "Love Deeply," found in hi

posted 6:00:28am Feb. 13, 2012 | read full post »

Therapy Thursday: Sweat
I have decided to dedicate a post on Thursday to therapy, and offer you the many tips I have learned on the couch. They will be a good reminder for me, as well, of something small I can concentrate on. Many of them are published in my book, "The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit." Work

posted 6:01:57am Feb. 09, 2012 | read full post »

Scrupulosity: What It Is and Why It's Dangerous
If you sprinkle a hefty dose of Catholic (or Jewish) guilt unto a fragile biochemistry headed toward a severe mood disorder, you usually arrive at some kind of a religious nut. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! For I am one. I have said many places that growing up Catholic, for me, was

posted 6:17:35am Feb. 07, 2012 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(2)
post a comment
Annapurna Moffatt

posted December 4, 2008 at 10:44 am


Beautiful–just beautiful.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly how God would respond. Very compassionate and understanding–bravo!



report abuse
 

marilyn

posted December 4, 2008 at 2:51 pm


very well spoken bob.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.