[Dr. Eckleburg]

I wasn't groping in the dark before I applied the doctrines of grace to my scripture reading, but my lamp was on a lower wattage, and now I have such intense light that I can't hide from it. LOL. It is liberating to know that the light is the Holy Spirit.

Amen. I was a lot more confused and uncertain before I read Scripture through the lens of God's sovereignty. Life then seemed so indefinite and haphazard. It was exhausting to contemplate how I could be good enough for God to love.

Thank God, He loved us before we loved Him. 8~)

[suzyjaruki]

It was exhausting to contemplate how I could be good enough for God to love.

So many Christians suffer like this and in some it leads to self-destructive behavior. Praise God now you are a tree planted!

The discussion of prayer earlier on this thread brought to memory how weak my prayers used to be. I actually thought that if I prayed enough and used the right words, I would be able to change God's mind. God does not change His mind. I praise Him that He changes mine.