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From: Gene.Zeak@p0.f219.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Gene Zeak)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: disABILITIES
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Date: 18 Jul 90 20:55:56 GMT
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Index Number: 9294

Hi Tom,

First of all, I want to say that even tho' many have probably 
told you that you're a valuable person and that you're okay...it 
really doesn't take.  No big surprise.

I am a VERY pragmatic individual.  Sometimes to the point of 
being considered to be brusque and relatively unsensitive, but, 
that ain't necessarily so.  However, I try to unfailingly go 
straight to the "bottom line" of any issue.

It seems to me that the bottom line of any "self" problem...be it 
a too excellant feeling of "sef-esteem" or a really poor sense of 
self-esteem, the problem is two0fold and essentially the same 
one.

I may get flamed for this, but I need to tell you that what I 
have to say comes from a totally committed Christian persective.  

The two things are:

1.  Before any emotional healing can be really accomplished, a 
    person needs to, not only accept Jesus Christ as Savior (and for 
    forgiveness) but totally commit ones whole life, all your 
    personall rights, and the truth about everything to Him.

2.  One MUST learn the value of truth.  It's invaluable!  Even at 
    the cost of being brutally hnest with one' self.

    2A. There is a principal that works in people's lives that 
        goes, "I will ALWAYS act in accordance with what I belive is 
        true."  Also, it's a truth that you (anyone) will eventually 
        believe what you continually tell yourself.

   2B.  So, the real issue is that since none of us has a better 
        lock on what's true than God, we NEED to believe that 
        what He says is true...even when it conflicts with what 
        we feel.

       In God's Word, those who accept the Lordship of His Son 
       are described as perfect, valuable, worthy, etc., so I 
       NEED often to remind myself of the truth of these 
       things.  Why?  Because my own self so often would tell me 
       that I'm wortless, a lousy person, a total waste of time.  
       If I concur with what I feel, then I end up telling 
       myself untruthful things...worse yet, I begin to believe 
       them and act as if they're true.  However, if I accept 
       that the Lord's Word is far more true than mine could ever 
       be...and He says I'm great...then if I tell myself THAT 
       (it may take lots of repeating), I'll soon start believing 
       it and acting as if it's true.

That, for me, is the bottom lin:  what God has to say (even about 
me) has far more truth in it than anything I could say.

Enough...I'm really sorry that you feel the way you do and that it 
Yhas such an effect on all parts of your life. I hope that what 
I've shared helps...God, I hope it doesn't hurt...but you're 
tough.  Don't feel like it?  Need some proof?  You made it to 
here, didn't you?

Love, Gene...

-- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.11

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