Running to Baggage Claim - Why do Christians Carry So Much Junk?

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Comment by Talein on May 6, 2011 at 6:06pm

@ Linda absolutely love everything you have stated...wow. Thank you Jesus someone else besides me gets it. Girl I have to agree with you on the sock.  I thought the shoes were off the chain. Can not do the stilettos in the airport girl you are a straight DIVA.....

 

Thanks so much for sharing you all keep it coming!

Comment by Linda "Divine Silhouette" Brown on May 6, 2011 at 5:51pm

SN Pt 2. I don't have a problem with the heels. It's the socks that I just don't understand. lol

Comment by Linda "Divine Silhouette" Brown on May 6, 2011 at 5:50pm

Here's another thought. Are you familiar with AA/NA 12 steps? The first thing one has to do is acknowledge they have a problem. Many people acknowledge there's a problem but go wrong when it's everyone else's problem and not theirs.

The next thing is to make a decision to change. Uh oh. What, we have to change? It was discussed earlier in the segment that people fear change. If you fear change then the self-assessment process being discussed is of no effect. We are to be doers of the word and not just hearers (Jas. 1:22). James brought up a good point about having a skewed sense of self. 1 Cor. 13:12 let's us know that we see through a pair of dark glasses. And I don't think these glasses are UV protected. Jas. 1:23 continues to let us know that when we are hearers only we are like people who look in the mirror, see that they're face is dirty and walk away like they're good to go. Um, sweetie, go back in the mirror and check yo' self.

Too often, as Talein stated, we give and give and try to help folks out. The bottom line is that the individual has to see, hear, know, and be willing to make a change before anything can happen. The best we can do is pray for them and not enable them. We have to learn to "restore such a one" (Gal. 6:1) and love them back to God and back to other relationships.

I started off talking about 12 Step. There other other steps that coincide with practical living that people need to do. I've combined a few since they are so closely related. 

• Admit you need help - communication is key when dealing with issues. Knowing who to talk to is very important. You cannot share anything with any one.
• Repent and ask God for help. - You cannot change yourself by yourself. You need God's help. Remember you are the clay and He's the potter. Who best to do surgery then the Great Physician?
• Realize that you behaviors effects other people and when possible ask for their forgiveness. - Why? This builds (rebuilds) relationships. Jesus came to restore or rebuild our relationship with Abba Father. We have to do the same here on earth. There is nothing like seeing relationships restored.
• Don't get discouraged. There are times that we go forth in God and things don't turn out the way we think. Don't get discouraged and don't fall back. Paul said that he had to forget the things of the past and press ... PRESS ... towards the goal set forth in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14)

Above all things, remember who you are in Christ - a new creation, "old things are passed away and behold all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17 and Gal. 6:15). Encourage others to stay focused and as you help others you will be helping yourself along the way.

 

SN: I am one who wears stilettos in the airport and only use roll-away luggage. But note I take them off as soon as I get in the car. I just can't seem to do the flat thang unless they're loafers. My feet look like cruise ships in flats. (lol) You can always tell when a woman has been wearing them too long or that they don't fit right - watch how they walk. Some folk don't need to wear them at all.

Comment by Talein on May 6, 2011 at 12:20pm

Yeah James I didn't even think about that....I hate to see women walking in stilettos and carrying bags strutting through the airport. It looks ridiculous.

 

This is a good question James let's look at it.

 

Where does a person have to be before they will concede to letting go of the baggage?  And is there a way you can help a person you know come to gripes with their baggage?

 

A person has to truly be at the end of their foolishness in order to want to change things in there life.  Being the a mirror and reflecting their issues in love I think are key in helping the ones you love to get through the struggles of being in the dark.  But remember you can take the horse to the water but you can't make it drink.

Comment by James Easterling on May 6, 2011 at 11:24am

First of all, what's up with those shoes in the picture.  Girlfriend could poke someones eye out with them.  Not to mention, I wonder how she would be able to walk through an airport in those shoes.

 

Back to my comment, this is well said.  Often, you never acknowledge that you could be the root cause of a baggage problem.  Instead, you just pack more things inside your bag and sit on it every once in awhile to close it.  As a result, you may never feel you need to leave behind things because you just might need it.

How do you get to the point where you believe you need to take a self-assessment?  For example, King David and Saul's dysfunctional relationship pits Saul against King David.  Saul's self-assessment is skewed by his need to be acknowledge as a leader.  He never came to odds with his own baggage during his lifetime.  As a result, he blamed others for his actions.

 

Where does a person have to be before they will concede to letting go of the baggage?  And is there a way you can help a person you know come to gripes with their baggage?

Comment by Linda "Divine Silhouette" Brown on May 6, 2011 at 10:33am

Fear is one reason. Fear of what? Fear of change. If you let go and let God then you are now responsible to change your behavior, mindset, attitude, etc. You can no longer use the baggage as excuses for what you do or say.

I could really go in on this topic.