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Jul 22, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

Henri Nouwen wrote, “...Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life b/c it contradicts the sacred Voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” (Life of the Beloved NY: Crossroad, 1992, p.21).

I think we’re born with an innate nature to hide from our true self (fig leaves). As humans, we are less tolerant of self than of others. To live in concealment of our true self, is to live a lie, burdened with sin, guilt, fear, shame, depression, & feelings of worthlessness. 👈 All that, Jesus put away on the Cross.

I believe forgiveness must be the foundational ground we must stand on (exchange my view for His Word), & live as forgiven men & women so that we can be healed & freed from sin, rejection, & abandonment. God wants Christ to be our Security, our Identity, & our Source of Belonging; & no longer shackled by insecurity, illegitimacy, & abandonment. In His light we see light, & His reality is that we are His beloved, adopted sons & daughters of His eternal Kingdom-through Jesus Christ, cleansed by His blood, & invited to share His inheritance through His Victorious Cross. No person is worthless b/c our very existence cost God His Son. Every human being has intrinsic value & is loved by the Heavenly Father as much as His only Begotten Son.

Thanks for your podcast!

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Lorrie, thank you so very much for your thoughtful and insightful comment I love the vision of Christ you share here, never thought of the fig leaf as Self, but makes sense. We are all born of an equal value, which I think many miss these days. Just because someone is stronger, more athletic, intelligent, doesn't mean they have a greater total value than others who may not have those genetics etc I believe.

So happy the podcast resonates with you!

Sorry if I sounded a bit quiet, will be adjusting the sound quality in future episodes.

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Jul 22, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

As a gardener, I’ve wondered why Adam & Eve chose fig leaves to cover their nakedness & shame since squash leaves & rhubarb leaves are so much bigger. But then a few yrs ago, I discovered that fig means: “peace & prosperity.” Therefore, they tried to find peace & prosperity outside of God’s Word. Their independent spirit caused spiritual death & they were kicked out of Eden.

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Jul 21, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

It will be a year in September when my husband went to glory/Heaven and felt abandoned by him and by God.

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Hi Abigail, although I am sorry for your loss, I'm glad that I could give you a bit of an outlet here. I honor you for sharing your struggle. Is there anything from the podcast or articles that you think resonated , or could potentially help you?

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Jul 23, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

I’ll have to listen to it again.

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No worries Abigail, I was just curious. Feel free to leave a comment here or you can email me as well if you ever have questions or feel like you need some support.

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I’m in counseling and in Griefshare. I journal.

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I am sorry you didn’t have a great father or father figure.

The abandonment for me is that God’s plan was for my best friend, husband to leave and “abandon” me in sorts. I have been neglected by him and Him. Been hard to go on a lot. Feels like wind has been knocked out of me over and over again. Anger and blame at God for this plan that I know there’s a reason for and good even though it sure doesn’t feel like it. Anger at Him that He could have healed him here and stopped it. He could have shown his power and a provided a miracle. Anger at the hospital for neglecting him in many areas and abandoning him when he called for help to breathe and get his vent cleared and catheter changed. Angry at myself for not doing more....

All these things are cycles.

My husband was truly my best friend and he understood me and met me and he’s gone. My heart has been ripped out of me forever.

I’m trying to recover...

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Thank you

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I’m sorry for your tremendous loss. 💔

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Thank you

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Jul 21, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

Thank you for the articles.

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Jul 21, 2023Liked by Roman S Shapoval

Still struggling

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So blessed to have been married to him for 18 years and almost 3 months. Such a gift to be truly loved and wanted. 💔😞

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Was able to give his power wheelchair to a needy family yesterday. Serve again and volunteer at the job I met him at. This has helped but hurts too. The other piece of my heart is in Heaven. I will see him again. I can’t wait to see him standing up and not in a wheelchair. He is able to run and no pain. No more a quadriplegic. But while he’s whole, I’m broken here. Little by little trying. One day I will see my 6 foot handsome Prince and I hope we can dance. It’s so so hard!

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