Sarah Nyhan

From me to Sojourner:

It was so weird. It was like the veil was lifted from my eyes and all of a sudden I started seeing things clearly. Lots of lessons, but in regards to Romans 8:1, I realized people were putting so many extra burdens on me. It was so heavy and depressing. Tons of condemnation. Tons of false guilt. Even to the point of them interrupting me while I was praying and telling me I’m not praying correctly.

After the veil started falling and everything started making sense in my brain, I was getting stronger and standing up for myself.

Now I have a super-strong reaction when people are trying to put extra stuff on me that isn’t from God. An example is that another friend tried to lay a guilt trip on me about how if I was closer to God then I’d be able to literally raise people from the dead. I was so angry when he started trying to lay that guilt on me. I think it was a righteous anger.

I’m really sensitive to that now as I am looking for a new church. I think there are a lot of “extra” things churches do in the name of tradition. I don’t have a problem with them except when they use guilt to try to make people do the extra stuff.

I realized that’s why I can’t go back to my old church. I love so many people there, but some of the people use guilt so much to try to get people to do extra stuff that I don’t believe is from God. Maybe when I get stronger I can sit through that kind of talk and not fall for it. But right now I don’t want to lose the progress I’ve made.

All to say I’ve started saying no to so many people and so many things. It’s like God keeps giving me opportunities to build that muscle while it’s a fresh issue in my mind. I still have to talk myself through it every time, but it is liberating!

Some people have bristled under this new Sarah. I can see they are a bit taken back when I stand up for myself.

All to say, freedom in Christ is wonderful!

From Sojourner to me:

Seems I recall Jesus scolding Pharisees for placing extra burdens on the people; so you are in good company.

Sounds like God is growing you well. Don’t be discouraged by growing pains. I live in Romans 8 and Galatians 5:1; the Judaizers were insisting on gentile Christians keeping Old Testament rules. Hmm, sound familiar?

The trap for me is to allow others the freedom to be wrong while lovingly and non-judgmentally not getting entangled in their rules. You are doing this also, but it does wear on you because of habit patterns. Again, totally normal and healthy.

Paul Young has a new book called “The Lies We Believe About God”. I wonder if reading it might be useful.

Much more could be said but I count on Holy Spirit to teach you everything.

There are some churches that are better at loving than others. I am praying you find the one God has for you.

I’m getting ready for ten days with Paul Young and friends in Oregon. I’m going to a small study group where we discuss LIVING the love of God. It’s my oxygen hose in a world of confusion. I’ll tell you more when we talk.

You may want to read Brené Brown’s book “Daring Greatly” as that’s what you’re doing. Proud of you!

May the God of all joy fill you completely.

From me to Sojourner:

I love what you said about giving others the freedom to be wrong. We can love people without doing all that judging, fixing, etc. And still be safe.

From Sojourner to me:

Love well. Dare greatly. Walk in freedom.

Think that’s akin to God’s statement in Micah: “What does the Lord thy God require of you, oh man, but to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.”

We are all here for each other.

From me to Sojourner:

My favorite Christian song these days is “I Wanna Go Back” by David Dunn – to when Jesus was simple. :)