lonliness

5 Lessons From Ruth

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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The book of Ruth is an amazing story of redemption and love. In the bible, Kinsman – Redeemer was a protection law that was in place for the welfare of the poor from being taken advantage of and from the wealthy taking away property that came from a people(community). The Kinsman – Redeemer is a reflection that God will redeem Israel from their suffering and the injustices and that Jesus is a Savior for humankind and will come back to conquer every evil deed . Below are some highlighted lessons on the book of Ruth to consider.

 

1) It’s better to be in a famine and under God’s protection, then to have a feast and step outside of God’s direction. When Elimelech and his wife Naomi(along with two sons) left Judah to stay in Moab,  they stepped outside of God’s direction. Moab was a land in the bible where people worshipped false gods and idols.

 

2) Running from trouble brings added trouble when we are outside the will of God. In Ruth 1, it mentions that Elimelech(Naomi’s husband) died and later on  Mahlon and Chilion(Naomi’s sons) died. There are always negative consequences from making a choice to be outside the will of God.

 

3) Faithfulness always ignites breakthrough. Ruth went into the field to gather from the harvest. God used Boaz to protect, provide and be generous to Ruth. Ruth stayed with her mother – in – law Naomi and went in the field and miraculous things erupted from that.

 

4) When you look out for someone else and allow God to work through you for their blessing, bitterness will dissipate. Naomi who was bitter decided to let go of the bitterness and  she guided Ruth in how to go to Boaz.

 

5) To travel from grief to restoration it requires trust, faith and obedience. Ruth had to trust that after the death of her husband that this was not the end of her story. In addition, she had to believe that God would turn her situation around and she had to follow the instructions she was given from her mother – in – law and take action from her trust and faith.

 

 

 

 

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5 Lessons From Mental Health

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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Mental Health affects everyone in some way. On this World Mental Health Day, I reflect on the mental difficulties and suffering that many encounter each day and how they still matter and are still needed and important.

There’s all sorts of things that can trigger or cause people to struggle with their mental health. Mental Illness is not limited to a certain status of people, because there are many people who both publicly and privately deal with these situations whether they are wealthy or living in poverty. Even the very successful or underdog can be touched in these areas. Below are some highlighted lessons to consider on mental health.

 

1) Our mental health will either positively or negatively influence other parts of our health. Often times people with a mental challenge are overwhelmed with  physical fatigue.

 

2) Natural and spiritual cures do exist for mental illness. I tend not to say much when it comes to whether or not a person should take antidepressants or other prescribed medication. I believe it all depends on what’s best and would work well for the individual. Just because a person doesn’t take the prescribed doesn’t mean they are superior or foolish and just because someone does that they are wrong or better off. The natural cures such as herbs and spiritual cures through a continual connection with Jesus do bring great results for many.

 

3) Mental Illness doesn’t define a person. You don’t know who a person truly is, by looking solely at their mental challenge. There are some very wonderful, gifted  and anointed people who may publicly and privately face depression and/or anxiety attacks.

 

4) Awareness and positively sharing your story matters. There’s always someone out there that needs to either be more aware or hear that story that can impact lives.

 

5) Getting the support and help you need doesn’t make you inferior. We all need help and support with any challenge we face in life. Got to do what needs to be done.

 

  What lessons have you learned from mental health?

 

5 Lessons Through Intergenerational Friendships

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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As a younger adult I now have a few older adult friends with a large age gap difference. These relationships came at the right time when we both needed a human friend and fellowship. The friendships just happened without my seeking and took place in a situational type of way.

I’m more open to them now than I was a few years ago when I found them to be a little odd. Who says age matters in friendship? It really doesn’t, we just all have to learn that not everything always has to be in the exact same way when it comes to certain situations. That’s where newness and freshness gives its savor. Below are some highlighted lessons to consider on these unique friendships.

 

1) The quality of friendship is what’s more important. Age difference doesn’t necessarily mean good or bad. It’s what the persons bring in the friendship and how they operate in relationships.

2) There are special qualities that my intergenerational friendships have than those of my peer group and age category . While I’m appreciative of friends of all ages, I do recognize the distinctiveness between the different kinds. These friends have been around much longer and have had more experiences. They bring qualities including double wise advice and sometimes greater perspective.

3) Having a variety of kinds in friendships bring a fun mix and flavor. A positive mix gives a person a chance to evolve in their own way.

4) Sometimes the intergenerational friends have shared experiences and relate in some connecting way. As I talk and spend time with friends of these kinds, I’ve learned that we relate more than I think and can have a wonderful time with our connection. It’s great to have someone who understands and is there for you. Somehow the connection helps both in the friendship.

5) Give the connection a chance, its healthy to have the balance. With certain things we really don’t know if it’s meant to be or can work well unless we give it a chance.

 

  What lessons have you learned through/about intergenerational friendships?

 

 

5 Lessons Through Introversion

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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Sometimes it was hard for me to accept my introversion as apart of my life. We often look around and see what is happening around us and wonder where are we in the midst of it all. After all most introverted people are observers. As we go about each day we often notice things that others may notice, but may not pay as much attention to. Below are some highlighted lessons to consider about introversion.

 

1) Introverted people enjoy the company of others, but need time to refill and replenish.  There’s no truth to the perception that all introverts want to always be alone and never around others to socialize and communicate.

 

2) Reserved individuals want to connect, but on a deeper level. Some introverts may feel like loners and outsiders because they are not connecting with others on a deeper and meaningful level. Even when we as the introverted don’t always have this in our lives, we must be appreciative of the deeper level connection when it does happen and take full advantage of it.

 

3) Introverts are not always quiet when they are around those they are familiar with and feel most comfortable and free around. You may just be surprised to learn what’s really in an introvert .

 

4) What appears to be reticent may just need one on one connection. Smaller groups and one on one connection is often enjoyed in introversion.

 

5) Introversion is not a bad or negative personality, it actually has its goodness and splendor of its own. Differences are unique which make them something worth to explore or consider.

 

  What lessons have you learned through and/or about introversion?

Called Out For His Glory

/ Crystal Holdipp / 2 Comments

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Ever struggled with the reality of being the ‘different’ one? Have you ever wished that the unpleasant and awkward feelings and experiences of being different around others(even other believers) would disappear?

In my transparency I find myself in a place of constantly being called out by God. Now I’m getting used to it, yet it’s very uncomfortable. All humans have longings to be deeply connected and have a sense of belonging and closeness.

Yet you can notice the ones who often stand out, stand apart and carry around the stigmas that come with it. We don’t need pity or sympathy it’s actually something we have to learn to embrace, accept and thank God for. Dwelling on all we have to face and endure is a camp ground for Satan to get a hold of and use for his advantage.

I can relate very much to other outsiders, misfits, underdogs, introverts and outcasts. In fact sometimes those are the types I tend to easily connect with and occasionally click with. More often now, I hear and see others express their observations of these kind of things and the loneliness they experience. When I see or hear a person express it I often want to tell them they are not alone, I understand and pour encouragement on them and support. We are in a world that puts a lot of attention on friendships and relationships and that’s where we have to remember that whatever God allows for us to experience and not to experience is the best thing that can happen. God has the best for us and we must not settle for less. Sometimes the best is not always pretty and acceptable to us or others. God’s ways are higher!

When we are called out by God for His glory these are the situations we need to allow God to mold us and work through us. No we are not better than anyone and we are not less than anyone either. Those in the crowd and other forms of intimate groups  at some point will have to learn how to be separate and possibly in the past have been through the same thing. No need to envy it. Appearances are not always the details of everything. When we feel like we are being pulled away, I believe that’s where we should be drawn more to the Lord. Yes, those feelings of loneliness and isolation will sometimes linger, but God gets the glory for the results that come with yielding in to being called out.

Here are some highlighted points to consider about being called out.

1) You’re being called out to be called in. We need community and fellowship, but sometimes we need to be away from the noise and distractions that come with being mixed in the crowd. How can God work through us if we put people before God and relationships become idols or crutches?

2) God wants to be our everything. The One that is the priority. Friendships with a certain amount of distance don’t  compete with God who  deserves the position and place of being our everything.

3) You stand out as a flame to be on fire for Jesus. There are some things that will cause us to lose our fire if we try to go off the path that God has chosen for us to travel. That fire is not for us, but for the glory of God.

 

 

5 Lessons from Lonliness

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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Loneliness… that fog of isolation and insecurity that pours into the heart, mind and soul. You try to change it and escape it, but every time you’re back at that place of emotional distress. Everyone has felt lonely at some point. Some experience it at a greater intensity than others and some even to the extreme. Whichever way a person does, it affects our lives, relationships and even lifestyles. Loneliness can be felt in solitude and it can be felt when around others. I believe the worst feeling and most painful ache is when we are around other people and it won’t go away.

When the laughing and talking surrounds you, but somehow you just have trouble getting in the mix and you always seem to be an outsider. You don’t fit in anywhere or in most cases you appear to be an outcast or loner. To some they may express for you to get over it or brush it off as if they don’t care or it don’t matter to them. I speak and write out for the speakless and writeless.

Loneliness can be very painful. It’s not a sin to feel lonely, but sin can be committed during the experience – if a person yields or gives in to it. Some experience it for a period of time in their lives and others it seems like a never-ending cycle. Below are a few words and lessons to consider.

1) Only God can really meet that need of satisfaction, intimacy, fulfillment and joy. No matter what, anything outside of God will never bring completeness and will have its imperfections and disappointments.

2) Empty and deep voids help display that we have a need that only the Savior can fill. It is through this void the Lord can show his power, strength and provision.

3) Reach out to other people who show signs of loneliness. You can’t remove their pain, but sometimes the person having a listening ear or just someone to keep them pleasant company helps. If we see something and we can help, why not?

4) Distract and throw out negative thoughts. This is something we all have to work on. Satan attacks every human mind. He can use something that may be true to trap and tangle us up.

5) Feeling and experiencing things are apart of being human and living on earth. We can’t escape discomfort, pain and other unpleasant happenings, but we can learn lessons through them. Growth comes through learning and applying.