Naty Matos's Blog, page 43

Hatred: Discovering the source

I believe in the power of standing on the Word of God. What scriptures can I use to strengthen my faith and stand on the word when feelings of hatred come into my heart?

First of all acknowledge that the feeling is there. Hiding it will only deepen its roots. Then figure out what the reason is for the feeling.

Is it due to fear? If So: Then read the following

· Deuteronomy 11:25

No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.

· Job 5:21

You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

· Job 5:22

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

· Psalm 3:6

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

· Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

· Psalm 27:3

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident

· Psalm 46:2

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

· Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

· Proverbs 3:25

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

· Proverbs 29:25

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

· Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

· Isaiah 41:13

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

· Isaiah 51:7

“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.

· Isaiah 54:4

“Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

· Isaiah 54:14

In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.

· Jeremiah 39:17

But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear.

· Jeremiah 42:11

Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.

 

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”Cynthia

Forgiving Those Who Hurt Me :One of the Hardest Steps in My Healing Process

During this month we’re talking about the dangers of hatred and my dear friend Shelley Hitz is here to talk to us about forgiveness. Very timely, enjoy!!

I practiced as a Physical Therapist for twelve years, and therefore know the general process required to heal from a broken bone. First, the doctor will give you a diagnosis via x-ray, MRI or other test. Then, a cast or splint is applied and you are given orders to rest your body part as the healing takes place. For a broken leg, crutches are often needed for a period of time. Finally, the last step is to exercise your joints and muscles again to regain your strength and be able to walk again on your own.

However, when God began to heal my broken heart, this was new territory for me. There is no textbook answer on what the process is for healing a broken heart. However, one of the first steps God took me through was forgiving those that hurt me.

Forgiveness…Often the Hardest Step To Take But Necessary For Lasting Freedom

Years ago, I was at a retreat for Christian women where the speaker shared her story of being sexually abused and the healing God brought to her broken heart. As I listened to her story, a memory from my past began to surface. I could relate to her story in that I was not violently raped and therefore had unknowingly dismissed the incident as simply part of “growing up.” However, when I later shared with my counselor what happened to me in junior high when a boy did sexual things to me that I neither wanted nor knew how to resist, she affirmed that it was indeed sexual abuse.

Feelings surfaced that I did not even know existed…anger, grief, unforgiveness. For the first time, I cried and grieved the innocence that was taken from me that day. As I sobbed, I asked God to help me. And He gently showed me that I needed to forgive the boy that did this to me. Forgiving him did not mean that what he did was right or that I was justifying his actions. It was for me, so that I could be free. I’ve heard it said that unforgiveness and bitterness is like taking poison and expecting it to kill the other person. The only person it hurts is me.

I Did Not Feel Like Forgiving

It took a step of faith to forgive as I did not feel like letting go of my anger and unforgiveness. Not only was my innocence taken that day, but there was a door opened to the enemy in the area of my sexuality. And later on in my life, I became captive to sexual sin. As a Christian woman, I found myself struggling with pornography. Although I don’t blame my choices and my sin on the sexual abuse, I know it was part of the process. And so I was angry and did not feel like forgiving.

And yet, God empowered me to surrender my anger to Him and forgive.

It was a process and not an instant fix. But, as I took the step of forgiveness, God led me down the path of healing my broken heart. I am thankful today that I am free from my struggle with pornography. God is now using what the enemy meant for evil for good – to provide hope to many.

Shelley Hitz has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements. Shelley’s openness and vulnerability, as she shares her own story of hope and healing, will inspire and encourage you.

Shelley has been writing and publishing books since 2008 including the book she co-authored with S’ambrosia Curtis, “A Christian Woman’s Guide to Breaking Free From Pornography: It’s Not Just a Guy’s Problem.” During their book launch on 9/26/12 – 9/27/12, you can download a free Kindle copy and also enter to win over $400 worth of resources. Find out more at www.ChristianWomenandPorn.com

Hatred: Where to stand to clean our hearts? P.1

Thanks for hanging there with me through this journey of learning about how hatred affects our life and how to get rid of it. This is the last post of this series and if you have made it this far you are a true trooper. Once again I believe in standing in the Word of God to resolve our issues. The other major reason for the feelings of hatred is anger.

So, What scriptures can I use to work through my anger?

· Numbers 14:18

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

· Psalm 4:4

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

· Psalm 37:8

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

· Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

· Proverbs 30:33

For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”

· Ecclesiastes 10:4

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

· Isaiah 10:6

I send him against a godless nation, I dispatch him against a people who anger me, to seize loot and snatch plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets.

· Ephesians 4:26

“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

· Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

· Colossians 3:8

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips

· James 1:20

for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Hatred: Where to stand to clean our hearts? P.2

Thanks for hanging there with me through this journey of learning about how hatred affects our life and how to get rid of it. This is the last post of this series and if you have made it this far you are a true trooper. Once again I believe in standing in the Word of God to resolve our issues. The other major reason for the feelings of hatred is anger.

So, What scriptures can I use to work through my anger?

· Numbers 14:18

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

· Psalm 4:4

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

· Psalm 37:8

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

· Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

· Proverbs 30:33

For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”

· Ecclesiastes 10:4

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

· Isaiah 10:6

I send him against a godless nation, I dispatch him against a people who anger me, to seize loot and snatch plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets.

· Ephesians 4:26

“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

· Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

· Colossians 3:8

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips

· James 1:20

for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

 

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: The Desert Song

In life we go through struggles and sometimes all that keeps us going is our faith.

One of my favorite passages in the bible is the exit of the Israelites out of Egypt and how God saw them through. Sometimes we are in our personal dessert and have to trust that since we serve the same God, he too will see us through.

WF: Worship Friday

 

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Hatred: What to do with those feelings?

So we have decided to live under the will of God, but we don’t know how to manage these feelings. What should we do? What if those feelings creep into our hearts and how do we get rid of them?

I think the bottom line is that we need to understand the concept of loving your neighbor as yourself. If we do something wrong that could cause someone to be angry at us, purposely or not, we would want forgiveness, no matter how heinous our crime was. Most important, if we want to live a life in Christ we want his forgiveness, therefore regardless of what has been done to us we need to forgive and give it to God. I know it’s easier said than done.

I think part of the reason why is so hard to forgive others transgressions is because we see their offense towards us bigger than the offenses we commit. We are wrong. We need to ask God to teach us how to live and see though his eyes and all sins are equal in the eyes of God. So, if the transgressions we commit are equal as the ones committed against us, if we would like to be forgiven we need to forgive.

The other reason why we should free ourselves from anger, fear, hostility and hatred is because that’s only a prison for ourselves. It is us who keep poisoning our souls, forfeiting joy and blocking our blessings due to resisting letting go.

You may say to me is that you have forgiven, but every time you remember the person or the situation you get angry again. That’s when the scripture that says that we should forgive seventy times seven comes into play. It means that every time we feel the sting of the offense we need to forgive again and again until that root of bitterness leaves us for good.

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Hatred: God’s Promises if We Do and if We Don’t

I’m going to make this simple for you. Every feeling we have is natural. God gave us the ability to feel. The fact that makes a difference is our choice to act upon our feeling. The Word is very clear about what will happen depending on the choice we make. Let’s take a look.

If we choose to hate, act on our anger and sin

· He will keep us away from his presence and destroy those who tell lie and do evil. (Psalm 5:4-6)

· Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.(1 John 2:9)

· Lose eternal life and be considered murderers. (1 John 3:15)

· Be considered a liar who doesn’t love God. (1 John 4:20)

If we choose to remain in God’s will and forgiveness, what are God’s promises for those who hate us.

· That he will keep our health and give sickness to those who hate us. (Deuteronomy 7:15)

· They will be shamed (Isaiah 66:5)

· He will save us from them. (Mark 13:13)

· If they hate us, they are hating God as well (John 15:23)

But the Bible says that there’s a time to hate. What we are allowed to hate?

· Sin

· Wickedness

· Falsehood (lies)

· Injustice

· Pride

· Arrogance

· Gossip

So now that we know how to identify our feelings and what are the options to our choices, let’s explore how to manage those feelings?

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”cynthia

WF: Where I belong

In the past couple of weeks I’ve had some life changes, not necessarily negative ones, but changes nonetheless. I was feeling the stress on the change in routine. For the past couple of months I’ve been so focused on my writing and these changes have rearranged my schedule, and I was getting anxious on how things were going to get done now that I had more on my plate.

I’ve been reading the book of Isaiah and reading this particular verse resounded with my spirit, ”No, we’re going to study the Scriptures” People who try the other ways get nowhere, a dead end!” Isaiah 8:21 I felt God was trying to tell me that the reason why I was feeling overwhelmed was because once again I had forgotten to give it up and I was trying to do things on my own, instead of trying it his way.

Then the next morning the Lord woke me up with this song stuck in my head. Living for God is not only amazing, but when we recognize that no challenge in this world compares to his greatness and to eternity, our perspective gains focus.

Let’s worship together.

PS: If you tried to tune in yesterday for my interview with “Friends and Neighbors” my apologies. The show producers decided to record and my interview will be aired on October 16th at 4:30pm. Thanks for your support.



Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

;

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”Cynthia

Announcement: Tomorrow on TV

WATC-DT (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just letting all my readers know that I will be interviewed on the television show “Friends and Neighbors” on WATC, a local Christian television station in Atlanta Ga. This show is a Christian version of the program “The View” and my book The Road Home will be featured on it.

The show is live tomorrow September 13th, 2012 at 4:30pm EST. I am very humbled and grateful for this great opportunity and it would be great if you guys had the opportunity to tune in. You may think how can I tune in if I’m outside of the Atlanta area? The TV station has a live stream at www.watc.tv

I don’t only look forward to this opportunity for to hear from all of you who are able to tune in.

Many blessings

Naty

 

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

 

“Very well written. ”Emme

 

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”cynthia

 

 

 

We Will Never Forget!!!

As we honor and keep in prayer those who’s lives were most greatly affected by this horrific tragedy, that ultimately pulled our country together as one UNITED nation…..

Lamentations 3:20-23

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (NIV)

Growth Lessons  http://ow.ly/deZC1

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames