One Man’s Story: Emotionless to Experiencing God’s Love
Prior to Restore I was quiet and reserved; I preferred to keep to myself and was extremely introverted. I also struggled to get into the Word. I spent a lot of time in my nothing box (where I thought about nothing at all). I did not show emotion and would push down any emotion that would try to come out. I was taught to believe that men do not show emotion.
When I wrote my story as part of the Restore journey, I wrote it easily with no feelings coming out. Once completed, God had spoken to me that day and told me that I was going to read it first. Once I started reading my story, that is when my emotion was broken. I could not hide it or hold it in. God was working on me and showing me that he is with me and would never leave me.
Psalm 23 really helped me see God’s relationship with me. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me in paths of righteousness. He leads me beside still waters. God gives me blessing after blessing, He has set the groundwork in my life to make it through whatever I am led through, He has given me instruction on how to live a Godly life and give him the glory.
Each week while going through Restore and hearing the other couples’ stories, listening to how they deal with their issues, praying for the other, and even just seeing the loves on their faces was such a huge encouragement. Sharing how our weeks went and the discussions that followed allowed me to open up even more. Having Robert, Karen, Nick and Sheridan giving encouraging words or stopping to pray for our situation was one of the greatest blessings throughout Restore.
And I’ve been able to share those blessings as well. I was recently sharing with a friend and was trying to encourage them in their struggles. I always think to myself, Is this worth it? or Are they even listening? Yet a few weeks after I shared with them, I was having a rough day and they shared back with me the same words of encouragement. It was an awesome feeling to know that they were listening.
God is calling me to live differently by showing me other ways of getting into the Word. I now listen to a daily podcast of the reading of the Bible. Just this week I listened again to Sunday’s message and wrote down a few points that I wanted use in the future. I also am a lot more outspoken, While I doubt I will ever be an extrovert, I am more of a participator and not just a spectator. I love the communication it has opened in my life with my marriage and with friends. This lets me hear others comment on how they can see the change in me, and lets me know that God is not done with me.
- Anonymous
