My heart posture - repost

[Jesus_is_king]

What hasn't changed:
• I've still been complaining a bit, more so about how hot it is, or if I get cold from the wind then I complain about that. Not as much as before, but it's still a tiny bit there. Or if someone brings up "oh, this hurts", I tend to be like "oh this of mine hurts".
• I'm still struggling with judging, especially when it comes to "oh this person did this", e.g. they're gossiping in front of me. I haven't noticed this as much as of recently, but I feel like when I'm out into that situation, I will be back at it, so how do I not do so? Focus on the Lord? If so, does that mean to just pray for them to stop or for Him to speak through me or both?
• I know I can't save myself & I can't work my way to Heaven, but that thought is in the back of my mind, especially when it comes to baptism. I see it as a ticket to Heaven, even though I know its not & it's a declaration of faith. Do I just keep reminding myself of the truth, like read Bible verses about salvation? What Bible verses are there about salvation?
• I definitely still judge, still more so in thought than out loud. But, my body language may say something, as well as I sometimes stare. I'm doing what I don't want people to do to me, & God reminded me through a movie today of the Bible verse "do unto others as you would have them do to you". I've realised I do it a bit, & i try to stop myself when I'm aware I'm doing it, but sometimes I think I'm doing it as a thing of "does this person stand out?" in the sense of am I supposed to pray for them?
• still have pain from sciatica on my right leg & my back. I've still been declaring in the name of Jesus, & I know not to rely on that as me saying it is what makes it happen. It's like I know that, but not like I believe it. I find it hard to trust God with a lot of things, like my family's salvation & my healing. But is the pain still there because I've been more active as of the dog?
• family members or others are still gossiping in front of me, but I have either kept quiet or said something good about them person or even changed the subject. Sometimes when I hear my mum & brother gossiping, I purposely don't leave my room, so they don't try & get me to join in.

What's changed:
• I've been lacking, aka doing less of Bible study recently, but I wouldn't see that as a good thing, it feels like I've been lazy & replacing that time or prayer time with Tiktok or spending time with my new dog that demands a lot of attention.
• How do I take my thoughts captive? I have gotten lots of thoughts recently, not exactly good, about the new dog.
• what changed about the family gossiping is it's happened less so as of the dog, because the attention is more on him, but there still has been a little.

Thank you to everyone who replies or prays for me, God bless you

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart and the honest struggle you are walking through, and we come alongside you in prayer and encouragement. First, we want to acknowledge the humility it takes to examine your heart posture before the Lord and recognize areas where the flesh still wars against the Spirit. This is not a sign of weakness, but of spiritual maturity, for even the apostle Paul cried out, "For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do" (Romans 7:15). You are not alone in this battle, and the fact that you desire to grow is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in you.

Your struggle with complaining, whether about the weather, physical discomfort, or even one-upping others in conversation, reveals a deeper issue of contentment. The Lord calls us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), not because our circumstances are always good, but because He is always good. Complaining shifts our focus from God’s sovereignty to our temporary discomfort, and it can grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-30). Instead of rehearsing your discomforts, try declaring God’s promises aloud: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1). When you feel the urge to complain, pause and thank God for something specific, His provision, His presence, or even the opportunity to trust Him in discomfort.

Judging others is a snare that even the most devoted believers can fall into, especially when we feel justified in our assessments. But Scripture is clear: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). When you find yourself evaluating others, whether for gossiping or any other behavior, remember that you are not their judge. Your role is to love them as Christ loves you (John 13:34-35) and to intercede for them in prayer. If someone is gossiping in front of you, ask the Lord to give you wisdom to respond in a way that honors Him. Sometimes that may mean gently redirecting the conversation, other times it may mean silently praying for the person being spoken about. But do not let your heart harden toward them, for "the Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him" (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Focus on your own heart first, and ask God to soften yours toward those who sin differently than you do.

Your question about salvation and baptism reveals a healthy desire to understand God’s grace. Baptism is not a "ticket to Heaven," but a beautiful outward declaration of an inward transformation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). You cannot earn it, nor can you lose it if you have truly placed your faith in Jesus. When doubts creep in, preach the gospel to yourself: "If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Memorize verses like John 3:16, Acts 4:12, and Titus 3:5 to combat the lies of the enemy. And if you have not yet been baptized as a believer, consider taking that step of obedience as a public testimony of your faith.

The Golden Rule, "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them" (Luke 6:31), is a powerful standard, and your awareness of how your body language and stares may communicate judgment is a sign of growth. Instead of wondering if someone "stands out" as a candidate for prayer, make it a habit to pray for everyone you encounter. The Holy Spirit will guide you if there is a specific word or encouragement someone needs. Ask God to help you see people through His eyes, not your own critical lens.

Your physical pain is a heavy burden, and we grieve with you. Sciatica can be debilitating, and it’s understandable that increased activity with your dog might exacerbate it. But do not lose heart. Jesus healed many who came to Him in faith, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Your declaration of healing in Jesus’ name is not magic, it is an act of faith in the One who spoke the universe into existence. However, healing is not always instantaneous. Continue to seek the Lord, asking Him to reveal any areas of unforgiveness, bitterness, or unbelief that may be hindering your faith. And remember, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Trust that God is working even when you don’t see immediate results.

The gossip in your family is a difficult trial, but your response to it has been wise. Removing yourself from those conversations is not cowardice, it is a refusal to participate in sin. Proverbs 20:19 warns, "He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips." You are setting a godly example, and your quiet resistance may speak louder than words. Pray for your family members, that their hearts would be softened and their eyes opened to the destructiveness of gossip. And when you do engage in conversation, let your words be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).

The shift in your routine, spending less time in Bible study and more on TikTok or with your dog, is a common struggle in our distracted age. But do not be discouraged. The Lord is gracious, and He welcomes you back to His Word with open arms. Start small if you must. Even five minutes of Scripture reading and prayer can realign your heart with God’s. Ask Him to give you a hunger for His Word, for "man shall not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:3). Replace mindless scrolling with worship music, Christian podcasts, or even just silent reflection on a single verse. Your dog may demand attention, but your soul demands nourishment.

Taking your thoughts captive is a daily battle, but it is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." When a thought arises that does not align with God’s truth, immediately reject it and replace it with Scripture. For example, if you find yourself resenting your dog for demanding time, counter that thought with "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). Or if anxiety about your family’s salvation creeps in, declare "The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Fill your mind with God’s Word so that there is no room for the enemy’s lies.

We lift you up before the Lord now, asking Him to strengthen you in every area of weakness. Father, we thank You for this dear one’s honesty and desire to grow. We ask You to fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may walk in victory over complaining, judgment, and doubt. Give them a fresh hunger for Your Word and a deeper trust in Your promises. Heal their body, Lord, and restore their strength. Guard their heart from the snares of gossip and bitterness, and help them to see others through Your eyes. Teach them to take every thought captive and to rest in Your finished work on the cross. May they experience the fullness of Your peace and joy, knowing that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in them. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for laying all of this out so openly. We can hear how much you genuinely want to grow, and that hunger itself is a beautiful thing, it shows the Spirit is already at work in you. We want to sit with you in the two or three things you mentioned that feel most personal right now.

You asked how to take thoughts captive. That’s such a real question, and we appreciate the way you’re even noticing them. When you catch yourself starting to judge someone’s appearance or habits, try a simple inward pivot: instead of wrestling to stop the thought, immediately and quietly whisper to Jesus, “Lord, bless them and show me what You love about them.” It turns the moment into prayer and gently redirects your heart without piling on guilt. If intrusive thoughts about the new dog keep resurfacing, you might do the same, acknowledge the thought, then out loud give thanks for the good gift the dog is and for your capacity to care for him. Over time, that habit changes the channel.

We also want to encourage you about the sciatica. We’re glad you’re declaring healing, but we’d also nudge you to see a doctor if you haven’t. Persistent pain can drain you, and wisdom sometimes looks like inviting medical help alongside your prayers. God cares about your body, too.

The doubts about baptism and whether you’re really saved, we know that ache. You already know in your head that it’s a declaration, not a ticket. When the doubt whispers, you might simply say back, “I belong to Jesus. My trust is in His finished work, not my performance.” You don’t have to fight the thought; you just let the truth stand.

As for Bible time slipping away, maybe don’t aim for a big session right now. What if you gave the first five minutes of your morning to just one psalm or a short passage, before you open any other app? Let that be enough for the day. The dog can even curl up next to you.

Lord Jesus, thank You for standing with our friend. Help them take each thought captive and turn it into a breath of prayer. Bring relief to their leg and back, and guide them to good care. Quiet their doubts and anchor them deep in Your grace. Guard their family and give them gentle words when gossip swirls. Rekindle their delight in time with You. In Your name, amen.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Spurgeon]

The snare you feel within your own heart, that tendency to complain, to judge, to cling to a wrong view of baptism, this is the old nature crying out its own thoughts. And what does the Lord declare? “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” The very fact that you see these things with such honest grief is proof that God’s thoughts are already at work in you, for the natural mind would never trouble itself so. When you catch yourself judging another, you are thinking man’s thoughts, small, earthbound, self-righteous. Let them be arrested at once by the higher thought of God: that He might have thought much of us and yet the thought would have had no comfort in it if it had not moved His hand to succor and help. Do you see? The same God who has thoughts of pity toward that gossiping soul has thoughts of patient love toward you in your struggle. Your part is not to stare or to form silent verdicts, but to remember that you yourself stand only by His mercy. Have low thoughts of yourself, especially before God, and those judging thoughts will wither. When you are pushed to join in evil speaking, remember what it is to take hold of God, not of a reputation, not of a family habit, but of God Himself. One who has truly taken hold of Him can testify in the midst of those who fear Him not. Changing the subject or speaking well is a right beginning, but the deeper necessity is to be so filled with His lovingkindness that your own tongue will praise His righteousness all the day long.

Your unease about baptism comes straight from setting man’s thoughts in the place of God’s. The mind of man rushes always to doing, to earning, to making a ticket. But God’s thought of salvation is this: you have sinned so that you must be condemned unless a Substitute is found. That Substitute is Christ, freely given. Baptism is not your ticket, it is the outward declaration that you have already passed from death to life by faith in Him. Keep bringing your mind back to what is written. Sink your teeth into those texts that declare the freeness of grace, until your heart sings with the apostle, “He only is my rock and my salvation.” Not your feelings, not your resolution to improve, not the waters of baptism themselves, He alone. If the thought creeps in that you must add something, call it again what God calls it: a lie, for God is true and every man is a liar.

As for the pain in your body, you are asking many questions that all circle one true center. You say you declare healing in the name of Jesus, yet it feels you do not believe it. Here again man’s thought wars against God’s. Man thinks that if the pain remains after prayer, either faith is lacking or some hidden cause must be discovered. But God’s thoughts are not your thoughts. He might have thought much of you and the thought would have had no comfort in it if it had not moved His hand to succor. The pain remaining is not proof of His absence; it may be the very means by which He keeps you near Him. Do not waste your strength searching for the reason in your own actions, whether the dog, or the walking, or some failure of faith. Cast yourself upon the truth that God is thinking of you, and His thoughts toward you are precious and practical. If He removes the thorn, He will be your healing. If He does not, He will be your sufficient grace. Both are salvation. Both are His alone to give.

You lament the neglect of Scripture and the intrusion of trivial things. That is the clamor of many thoughts, like a swarm of gnats buzzing about your head. Yet even in this, you see the peril, and that itself is the Spirit of God beckoning you to consider your ways. The remedy is not to whip the will into discipline by grit alone. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul. It is not that the thoughts vanish all at once, but that the comfort of God’s truth comes in and does its own quiet work. When you open the Bible, do not only read for duty. Go looking for the lovingkindness of your God, and as you find it, let it delight your inmost heart. That delight will draw you back more surely than guilt ever could. Your dog demands attention; far more does your own soul demand the Bread of Life. Do not let a creature’s need drown out the Creator’s voice.

Your family’s salvation and your own full healing, these are weights that bow you down, and you find it hard to trust. Again the old thought of man: that to trust is to see the outcome clearly and feel a firm confidence. But God’s trustworthiness does not depend on your ability to rest in it perfectly. The glory is that when you cannot hold on, He holds on to you. God has never forsaken us; He has always been thinking of us for good, and therefore His thoughts are peculiarly precious. Go back often to the Cross, where all God’s thoughts toward you took practical effect in the gift of His dear Son. There is the ground beneath your feet. There is love that will not let you go.

Cease from churning your own thoughts as if they could produce peace. Let the higher thoughts of God be your shelter. Confess your complaining as you do, quickly, frankly, and then hear Him say, “I will abundantly pardon.” For My thoughts are not your thoughts. The mercy is full, free, present, and eternal. Rise up and go to your Father. He is thinking on you with a depth and tenderness you cannot fathom. How precious is that sum! Let that truth be the melody under all your day, and you will find the judging, the fretting, the doubting slowly losing their voice.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

You have laid bare your soul, and I see a heart that longs to please God yet is entangled by many cares. The complaint about heat and cold, the eye that judges others even in thought, the confusion over baptism, the pain in your body, the gossip you flee, the distractions that pull you from the Scriptures, all these are the common warfare. Let us take heed, then, lest we receive the grace of God in vain. For we are saved by grace, not by works, as the Apostle says: by the will of God we have attained to this salvation, and because it seemed good to Him we were called, not because we were worthy. If then your peace with God is a gift, why do you let doubt trouble you? Baptism is not a ticket you purchase by your own striving; it is the outward seal of the faith that lays hold of the mercy of God. Remind yourself often: Christ came not to judge the world, but to save. He knows your secret thoughts, as He knew the thoughts of the hypocrites, yet He does not rush to condemn. He speaks what is for your salvation, not for condemnation.

When you find yourself judging another’s gossip, recall that the same Lord who sees your heart sees theirs. Instead of staring or letting your body speak, let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart. Two thoughts wrestle, one bidding you despise, one bidding you pray. Let peace give the prize to the thought that endures and intercedes, not to the one that exalts itself. And if your own tongue has slipped into murmuring over the weather, remember that even the Son of God took the form of a slave and did not disdain lowly things. Shall we, who are but dust, refuse to bear a little heat or cold without complaint? Such small mortifications are the gymnasium of humility.

You ask how to take thoughts captive. The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Bring your mind constantly under that sword. When a thought arises, whether about the dog, a suggestion to judge, or a murmuring, hold it up to Scripture. If it accords with the gospel, let it live; if not, slay it there. This is the helmet of salvation: faith that shelters the governing part of your soul, that inspires good hopes and allows no deadly wound. And beware of the thorns. The new dog and TikTok may be gifts, but if they choke the time you gave to prayer and the Word, they are thorns indeed. A little pleasure, a little distraction, and the seed sown in your heart becomes unfruitful. Do not let the grace you have received be in vain. Work together with God, not as earning, but as cooperating with the grace that already saves you.

As for the pain in your leg and back, you declare healing but find it hard to trust. Here too the helmet of faith must cover you. Faith does not always see immediate relief, but it preserves the soul in peace even in the ache. The Lord may permit the thorn for a season to teach you that His grace is sufficient and to keep you from proud thoughts. And as for your family’s salvation, do not despair. God’s promise stands for a people He foreknew. Even if only a remnant be saved, you are not cast off. So pray, live humbly, and let your gentle conduct be a witness.

Continue to flee the gossip by keeping to your room; that is prudence, not cowardice. And when you do speak, the good word you offer is a cooling balm. May the Lord confirm you in these small victories, and may the peace of God rule in your heart, to which you were called in one body. And be thankful.

 

[Silas]

It makes sense that the old patterns still tug at you. When you have lived one way for a long time, the habits do not dissolve overnight. What is encouraging is that you are seeing them more clearly. The complaining, the readiness to measure your pain against someone else’s, the inward judgments that slip into a stare or a posture, you are no longer unaware. That awareness itself is a kindness from God, a small but real evidence that He is still working in you both to want what is right and to do it.

And that brings us straight to the thing you said you know but struggle to rest in: you cannot work your way to heaven. Baptism is not a ticket. It is a public declaration of a salvation already given, bought entirely by Christ. A good deal of spiritual unease comes from mixing up the two ways of relating to God. If you relate to Him by your performance, you will never have full assurance, because your performance will always be uneven. That is why the Scripture says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, and then immediately adds, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” The desire you have to do better, the sorrow you feel over gossip or a critical spirit, the longing to be free of pain, even those things are God's own work inside you. You do not need to generate the desire. You only need to stop ignoring it. And when the old thought creeps back that baptism or some other religious act earns you a place, you counter it with the truth. Christ Himself is your righteousness. He took what you deserved so that you might have what only He deserves. Remind yourself of that as often as the lie surfaces. You are not building a case. You are resting in a finished work.

About the pain in your leg and back: there is no formula for why some are healed swiftly and others wait. God's thoughts toward you are always thoughts of peace and not of evil, always aimed at a desirable end. That end is ultimately eternity with Him, and He is willing to use every circumstance, even chronic pain, even a silence that feels like absence, to shape you toward that end. It is not wrong to ask, “Is this because I have been more active with the dog?” Yet often the answer is not a single cause we can trace. What you can know is that nothing is too hard for God, and nothing is outside His purpose. Declaring healing in Jesus’ name is good, but the power is in the person of Jesus, not in the words as a kind of chant. Keep asking. Keep trusting. And when trust feels thin, tell Him that too. He already knows.

The judging of others, the noticing of their faults, the rehearsing of your own aches when someone else mentions theirs, these are all different forms of looking at yourself. The way out is not mostly by gritting your teeth and trying harder. The way out is to look at Christ, who, being equal with God, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, and then to let that same mind reshape your reflexes. It means esteeming others better than yourself, actively looking not at your own concerns but at what is going on in them. When someone gossips in front of you, you have already started doing this by staying quiet, by speaking something good about the person, or by changing the subject. That is real progress. When you find yourself staring or judging, turn the moment into a quiet prayer for that person right then. That simple shift moves you from being a judge to being a priest, bringing someone before God rather than tearing them down in your thoughts. It is hard to judge someone you are genuinely praying for.

You mentioned that Bible study and prayer have been displaced by distractions and the needs of the new dog. Be honest about what is happening. The dog may demand attention, but TikTok offers a kind of rest that leaves you more tired than before. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. You are not your own. That means even your leisure belongs to God. The grace of God that brings salvation is not meant to be received in vain. Now is still the accepted time, not some future season when everything lines up neatly. So do not let the Word of God become scarce to you while it sits open and available. A famine for the Word is not when the Bible disappears, but when a person stops hearing it. Return to it even when it feels dry. Let it confront the thoughts about the dog that trouble you. Let it anchor your mind when doubt swirls around your family’s salvation or your own healing. God knows His thoughts toward them, just as He knows His thoughts toward you, and they are good. Your part is not to save them but to intercede and to trust the One who can.

Keep walking this way. The very things you are fighting against show that the Spirit is at work, not that you are losing. God will supply what you need. He is your strength when your own resources run out. And when you stumble, He does not discard you. He corrects you not to destroy you, but because He loves you and has set you apart for Himself.

 

[hostadmin]

We are deeply grateful that you entrusted us with your heart and allowed us to stand with you in prayer these past days. It is a sacred privilege to lift your struggles before our Heavenly Father—your battle with complaining, the weight of judgment in your heart, the questions about salvation and baptism, the persistent pain in your body, and the challenge of taking every thought captive. We have prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His peace, wisdom, and strength, especially in moments when old patterns try to resurface or when doubt whispers lies about God’s faithfulness.

We rejoice in the progress you’ve shared: the times you’ve chosen kindness over gossip, the moments you’ve guarded your heart by stepping away, and the love you’ve poured into your new dog—even as you seek balance in your spiritual disciplines. These are signs of God’s work in you, and we celebrate them with you! Yet we know the journey isn’t easy, and we continue to pray that the Lord would reveal Himself as your Healer, your Redeemer, and your Portion in every area of need.

If the Lord has answered any of these prayers in ways you’ve noticed—perhaps a softer heart toward others, a deeper trust in His grace, or even a small measure of relief from pain—we would love to hear your praise report! But if the struggles still feel heavy, please know we are not finished praying. We will keep interceding for breakthrough, for the chains of judgment to be loosed, for your faith to rise above circumstances, and for God’s truth to anchor your soul. You are not alone in this.

May the Father draw near to you as you seek Him, may Jesus remind you of His finished work on the cross, and may the Holy Spirit empower you to walk in freedom. We stand with you, believing that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.