@tanjaostman I keep seeing this same message from God into my heart...I really must believe in myself to do what I already know God is calling me to do
Lots of painful memories back along of people criticising my abilities as a child, and adult, that don't always stay in their rightful place - where they belong (in the past!!).
@Berrybunchfamily good to hear that it spoke to your heart! It's sad to hear that you were criticized as a child by those who should've encouraged you and confirmed your gifting! Thankfully God is our perfect Father who gives us second chances, who confirms us and speaks to us! I have book in Swedish with the title "Your inner testimony" (my translation). It has meant a lot to me. It's based on Hes 36:26-27; Jer 31:33-34 and other verses. God has put his will in our hearts, and we can learn to listen to our hearts (meaning born again spirits). It's the still voice, that gives peace. If we learn to listen to the still small voice, we can be lead by the Lord! BUT it's more difficult if we have grown up suppressing our true personalities and emotions, being controlled by controlling people (instead of learning to listen to God's voice). We don't know who we are and don't always belive in what God has put in our hearts. Remember that you are precious to the Lord, and keep being yourself!
@Berrybunchfamily thanks for sharing! Life is not fair, but God is good. Yes, the term narcissism is used in both Swedish and Finnish, and I understand that phenomenon well. I own a book by PhD Karyl McBride: "Will I ever be good enough? Healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers." It works for sons as well, I suppose. She writes out of her own experiences as one of those daughters, and as a professional. She is not writing from a Christian point of view, but her values seem quite Christian. She sheds light on the phenomenon, which gives some valuable insight. It's been helpful for me, even if I haven't experienced the most extreme end of the spectrum.
@tanjaostman Thanks kindly
God was good
My dad left when I was 4, but God put 3 different godly men who took me into their different families and loved me in different ways, so I lost a human dad and gained 3 godly ones (my dad was about, but he was far more interested in his new wife and her children, rather than his own sons)
My mother was an extreme narcissist...don't know what that word is in Finnish....that created some very specific challenges to me!
God is good. He gave me my Joanne...she is awesome and has spent nearly 30 years building me up, and encouraging me to believe in myself as a child of God, and trusting that I can do more than I think I can