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Traitors To The Soul
2 years ago
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A city protected with towering walls - 100 feet high and 6 feet thick - buttressed by gates fashioned with logs 3 deep and 12 wide is somehow invaded and conquered by a foreign army. How? By means of the most deadly enemy of all - a single traitor within the city who opens the gates wide for the invasion.
What is true of nations, countries, and kingdoms is also true of our inner life. The forces in this world that threaten us can never destroy what matters most - unless they find a sympathetic "traitor" within our own soul.
Many of us find ourselves betraying our cherished ideals and dreams simply because we fail to recognize this truth.
The most deadly enemy we have is the one we allow to live inside the "city gates" of our hearts and minds. The fire on the outside can never cause an explosive outburst unless we harbor gunpowder within. Enemies cannot invade our most cherished places unless we open the door to their invasion.
Let's be clear: We're not talking about being under attack. All of us are attacked at times. Many of you dear folks live under siege every day - burdened and tempted and harassed by outside influences. But the worst damage is never the result of fighting. It comes from yielding. Fighting and being attacked can cause deep life long scars and wounds - and yet the conscience and heart can still win the most important battle and feel perfect peace and rest. But yielding to the dark intentions that inspire onslaughts and attacks is what causes the deepest grief and long term damage to our souls.
If you have ideals you cherish do not allow yourself to entertain thoughts and desires that will overthrow those ideals. All of us are tempted. That's part of life and growth. Yielding to temptations that we know will compromise our cherished dreams, hurt and betray those we love, and cause others deep grief and sorrow is high treason to the inner life.
Allowing ourselves to disrespect the deep inner code of love, to harbor negative and belittling thoughts about our abilities, to dismiss our gifts because some inner "voice" ridicules them, is to side with the enemies of our soul's life and peace.
But again, let's be clear: Asking questions and allowing voices of dissent are not acts of treason - no matter how hard the current political climate has encouraged us to believe that. Debate and inquisitiveness can be extremely healthy - both for nations and souls. If you cannot proceed on a path with peace then it is wise to listen to the questioning voices within you to try to discover why. Often it's not a case of abandoning what you felt led to do - but rather heading an informative or insightful voice that seeks to guarantee we can proceed without injuring others or ourselves. Unquestioned beliefs and plans are not worth much. No soul should be blindly loyal. Knowledge is power for both inner and outer kingdoms.
Questioning, in it's purest form, is not negative in intention. On the contrary - in the world it is often the most patriotic. Healthy inner debate can be healing. In fact it's a powerful tool against self disrespecting and destroying thoughts.
We should always heed constructive inner promptings while rejecting those voices that suggest ideal defiling, self defeating, injurious temptations.
As you wake each new morning - believe. Do not doubt. Embrace your gifts. Deeply breath in the living truth that you have been given abilities, talents, and love sufficient for all you will encounter that day. And recognize the voice of the traitor within who seeks to undermine your confidence and faith with negative, defeating temptations to doubt and surrender.
Each of us was born with inner qualities and motivations that make us uniquely important to the people we love. We are here, in this time, for a reason. We are vital in the "city" and the "kingdom" in which we live. Our hearts must be set on protecting our most cherished treasures, ideals, and gifts from the enemies of doubt and unbelief.
Traitors are the worst enemies of all. Do not suffer them to live within your own soul.
What is true of nations, countries, and kingdoms is also true of our inner life. The forces in this world that threaten us can never destroy what matters most - unless they find a sympathetic "traitor" within our own soul.
Many of us find ourselves betraying our cherished ideals and dreams simply because we fail to recognize this truth.
The most deadly enemy we have is the one we allow to live inside the "city gates" of our hearts and minds. The fire on the outside can never cause an explosive outburst unless we harbor gunpowder within. Enemies cannot invade our most cherished places unless we open the door to their invasion.
Let's be clear: We're not talking about being under attack. All of us are attacked at times. Many of you dear folks live under siege every day - burdened and tempted and harassed by outside influences. But the worst damage is never the result of fighting. It comes from yielding. Fighting and being attacked can cause deep life long scars and wounds - and yet the conscience and heart can still win the most important battle and feel perfect peace and rest. But yielding to the dark intentions that inspire onslaughts and attacks is what causes the deepest grief and long term damage to our souls.
If you have ideals you cherish do not allow yourself to entertain thoughts and desires that will overthrow those ideals. All of us are tempted. That's part of life and growth. Yielding to temptations that we know will compromise our cherished dreams, hurt and betray those we love, and cause others deep grief and sorrow is high treason to the inner life.
Allowing ourselves to disrespect the deep inner code of love, to harbor negative and belittling thoughts about our abilities, to dismiss our gifts because some inner "voice" ridicules them, is to side with the enemies of our soul's life and peace.
But again, let's be clear: Asking questions and allowing voices of dissent are not acts of treason - no matter how hard the current political climate has encouraged us to believe that. Debate and inquisitiveness can be extremely healthy - both for nations and souls. If you cannot proceed on a path with peace then it is wise to listen to the questioning voices within you to try to discover why. Often it's not a case of abandoning what you felt led to do - but rather heading an informative or insightful voice that seeks to guarantee we can proceed without injuring others or ourselves. Unquestioned beliefs and plans are not worth much. No soul should be blindly loyal. Knowledge is power for both inner and outer kingdoms.
Questioning, in it's purest form, is not negative in intention. On the contrary - in the world it is often the most patriotic. Healthy inner debate can be healing. In fact it's a powerful tool against self disrespecting and destroying thoughts.
We should always heed constructive inner promptings while rejecting those voices that suggest ideal defiling, self defeating, injurious temptations.
As you wake each new morning - believe. Do not doubt. Embrace your gifts. Deeply breath in the living truth that you have been given abilities, talents, and love sufficient for all you will encounter that day. And recognize the voice of the traitor within who seeks to undermine your confidence and faith with negative, defeating temptations to doubt and surrender.
Each of us was born with inner qualities and motivations that make us uniquely important to the people we love. We are here, in this time, for a reason. We are vital in the "city" and the "kingdom" in which we live. Our hearts must be set on protecting our most cherished treasures, ideals, and gifts from the enemies of doubt and unbelief.
Traitors are the worst enemies of all. Do not suffer them to live within your own soul.
The enemy within
2 years ago
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To imagine that there is not an enemy within is to deceive ourselves. Myself. I am my own worst enemy because no one and nothing can defeat me unless I allow it. Thank you for this very strengthening encouragement at a very difficult time. For me, to be true to myself...rather, to my inner beliefs and the integrity of my convictions...is more valuable than all the world's riches. To cherish honesty and kindness and tolerance and love above all else...for me there is no life without holding to these. And especially in the face of cruelty, injustice, violence and intolerance. The bottom line of life is what truly matters, and you have well stated it. Thank you again for your clarity. I would like to think that at the end of my own poor life I have done everything I can to stand, in love, but to stand, and not waiver...because of the doubts, fears, and sorrows that attack me...from within. Love to you and yours. A. Taliz
2 years ago
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wow, very true, I love your insights , they always make sence to me and always ring true. Thank you!
So very true...
2 years ago
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It is so very true that inside of each of us is a traitor. I am my worst enemy. I constantly question myself and there is that small little voice that tells me each day that I am nothing and cannot accomplish anything. I choose to not listen to that voice, because to do that would rip apart everything I believe and everything I love. It is hard, though. Sometimes I let myself listen to that voice and at those times I become depressed and bitter. I find that when I stop dwelling on myself, and focus on the world around me and the needs of others, that traitorous voice becomes silent. I feel that helping others is the only way to find peace within ourselves.
Dearest Dennis
2 years ago
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Thank you for sharing this very insightful and inspiring article.
It moves the heart to live from truth.
It moves the heart to live from truth.
2 years ago
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Dear Ann, Debbie, Brigit, and Mayke,
My thanks to each of you for your encouraging and thoughtful replies. "Voices" like yours inspire others to believe and strive for what is best in us. I appreciate what you wrote very much. Blessings to you all
My thanks to each of you for your encouraging and thoughtful replies. "Voices" like yours inspire others to believe and strive for what is best in us. I appreciate what you wrote very much. Blessings to you all
getting the help we need
2 years ago
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good topic
Sometimes, we cannot recognize what is causing our pain and losses. We may need some outside help in identifying those inner traitors--feedback and insight from trusted, safe people in our lives.
Other times, we know exactly what the problem is, but we find ourselves powerless against our own inner "traitors." This may lead us to shame and despair. So, we may need some outside help to combat them--especially, to learn new, effective ways of *how* to overcome them and get them out of our soul/way of being.
So...reaching out for feedback and advice and help, whether from God, safe friends and family, mental health professionals, support groups or books, etc., may just be key to our healing.
'Cause...the "brain that got you here is the brain that keeps you here in this painful place; you only know what you know" (Valerie Acuff)--we've got to bring some good, new stuff (information, skills, experiences) inside ourselves, in order to get the old, "bad" stuff out!
2 years ago
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Hot!
Dear Daria,
Thanks very much for your thoughtful post. We often need the help of others when it comes to identifying which "voices" to heed. As you pointed out, the words "trusted" and "safe" are so key when describing those from whom we should receive counsel.
Life may not provide us with an overabundance of trusted and safe people to speak into our souls - but that makes the ones who are all the more precious.
Thanks very much for your thoughtful post. We often need the help of others when it comes to identifying which "voices" to heed. As you pointed out, the words "trusted" and "safe" are so key when describing those from whom we should receive counsel.
Life may not provide us with an overabundance of trusted and safe people to speak into our souls - but that makes the ones who are all the more precious.
2 years ago
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Hi there--I agree, Dennis. : )
I saw this Emily Dickinson poem and thought it fitting:
THE SOUL unto itself
Is an imperial friend,—
Or the most agonizing spy
An enemy could send.
Secure against its own,
No treason it can fear;
Itself its sovereign, of itself
The soul should stand in awe.
May we learn to be a trusted, safe friend to ourselves...even as we learn how to give and receive that from others...
Thank You
2 years ago
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Hot!
Hello Dad
Thak you for that I sometimes say to myself oh I could never to that I might as well give up now but you are my outside voice telling me I can do all things if I really want to and if I believe that I can.That was really good thank you!
Thak you for that I sometimes say to myself oh I could never to that I might as well give up now but you are my outside voice telling me I can do all things if I really want to and if I believe that I can.That was really good thank you!
2 years ago
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Daria,
Thanks for the quote from Emily Dickinson. It's really a fitting one for this thread.
Knightingale Sweetheart,
Thank you for being my inspiration for all that is good and pure in this life. You're a wonderful daughter.
Thanks for the quote from Emily Dickinson. It's really a fitting one for this thread.
Knightingale Sweetheart,
Thank you for being my inspiration for all that is good and pure in this life. You're a wonderful daughter.
