Survey Question #5
5. What is your experience of blessings and disappointments in your relationship with other believers?
The vast majority of my relationships with other believers have been wonderful, enriching experiences. I have experienced some disappointments but I am sure that fault, if that is appropriate, was as much mine as anyone’s. I do not feel as if anyone owes me anything. I have been deeply loved and it is a pleasure to live loved. [David R. Ireland]
Mostly I have good experiences with believers. My only “disappointment” comes from hearing how narrow minded and fearful we believers sometimes can be towards others – in every relationship – both with believers and non-believers). [Stefan A. Sweden]
This has been the tool Jesus used most to bring me to an understanding of my own weakness and the potential of His abiding life in me. There have been many disappointments and pain, but also much victory and growth. Once we took the hurdles presented by church structure out of the way, I was able to start receiving real love from others – not the kind of attention and love that people are forced to give because they are in the same social club – and that has been a tremendous blessing. Our interaction around tables and the unity that now also touches our purses and hearts outside the concept of loyalty to a structure does not ceased to amaze and bless me.
As Jesus takes over more of our lives we are finding that our expectations of one another decrease and so there is more unconditional love around to share in. We are more ready to respond to love and to His life, and less inclined to be responsible for changing people and circumstances. [Stephen V. South Africa]
I have been greatly enriched by others on this journey, some people who are new to faith and others who are further along the road than I am in some areas. Our friendship and mutual cooperation causes no end of joy and lets me see new things about Father that I wouldn’t probably see on my own.
As to disappointments, not much disappoints me anymore, except those who have an agenda to convince people that their theology is the only right one. Or they need to build some kind of ministry at others’ expense. [Wayne J. USA]
