This is very powerful and timely for my current circumstances. Families with apathy, slander, manipulation and mental health issues are challenging and do not disappear from our lives. I have been encouraged by scripture that reveals how God works over time on our hearts and expects us to bear fruit with actions (both thoughts and deeds) even as we have burdens to carry. I will be rereading and contemplating this lesson. Thank you!
I struggle with forgiveness towards an abusive mother who calls herself a Christian, who, at 94, is the most toxic person I know. I've set boundaries, but I still see that she has groceries and gets taken to church, but I absolutely hate being around her. I pray during my drive in to see her that I would show her Christ's love, but the minute I open the door, she starts on a to do list and then runs down her list of complaints. From childhood on up, she ruled with shaming, ridicule and guilt and she continues to this day...easy to say I forgive her, but then I have to visit her and it's the same cycle
Yes my heart goes out to you. I believe God will bless you deeply, if you will continue to try to help meet her needs in her old age. It takes someone with a mature love to be able to look beyond the actions of such a person and see things for how they really are. Jesus forgiving those that were killing Him, is a deeply mature Love. He was able to see the situation the way it really was. I pray the Lord would still orchestrate something in your mother's life that would soften her heart, and allow her to perceive herself the way Christ does. May God fulfill in you the work He desires to accomplish. We don't choose our parents that's for sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Lord is preparing you to be able to deal with a situation in the future that most people wouldn’t begin to know how to handle. I believe the Lord has a special purpose for what you are enduring now. God bless you sister!
My husband and I have a parent in our lives with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It is never an easy path, but I found a Christian counselor who has a podcast and has written 2 books about how to communicate with an abuser and how to protect yourself. It is one of the only counselors I could find that comes from a Biblical worldview. Applying her advice and setting boundaries has been really helpful for us. Her name is Laurel Slade Waggoner and the book we have is Don't Let Their Crazy Make You Crazy. She focuses on NPD, but the advice would apply to any toxic person.
This is very powerful and timely for my current circumstances. Families with apathy, slander, manipulation and mental health issues are challenging and do not disappear from our lives. I have been encouraged by scripture that reveals how God works over time on our hearts and expects us to bear fruit with actions (both thoughts and deeds) even as we have burdens to carry. I will be rereading and contemplating this lesson. Thank you!
God bless you, as you seek to minister Life to those around you!
I struggle with forgiveness towards an abusive mother who calls herself a Christian, who, at 94, is the most toxic person I know. I've set boundaries, but I still see that she has groceries and gets taken to church, but I absolutely hate being around her. I pray during my drive in to see her that I would show her Christ's love, but the minute I open the door, she starts on a to do list and then runs down her list of complaints. From childhood on up, she ruled with shaming, ridicule and guilt and she continues to this day...easy to say I forgive her, but then I have to visit her and it's the same cycle
Yes my heart goes out to you. I believe God will bless you deeply, if you will continue to try to help meet her needs in her old age. It takes someone with a mature love to be able to look beyond the actions of such a person and see things for how they really are. Jesus forgiving those that were killing Him, is a deeply mature Love. He was able to see the situation the way it really was. I pray the Lord would still orchestrate something in your mother's life that would soften her heart, and allow her to perceive herself the way Christ does. May God fulfill in you the work He desires to accomplish. We don't choose our parents that's for sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Lord is preparing you to be able to deal with a situation in the future that most people wouldn’t begin to know how to handle. I believe the Lord has a special purpose for what you are enduring now. God bless you sister!
My husband and I have a parent in our lives with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It is never an easy path, but I found a Christian counselor who has a podcast and has written 2 books about how to communicate with an abuser and how to protect yourself. It is one of the only counselors I could find that comes from a Biblical worldview. Applying her advice and setting boundaries has been really helpful for us. Her name is Laurel Slade Waggoner and the book we have is Don't Let Their Crazy Make You Crazy. She focuses on NPD, but the advice would apply to any toxic person.