See also "Welcome to Breaking Free" on the Home page.
We know from experience that it's helpful for people to encourage one another through trials and life's battles. With this Web journal, we wanted to create a community for those who struggle daily with overwhelming personal difficulties, challenges and temptations.
All people want to feel understood, and when someone else has "been there, done that," we know he can understand us. Plus we tend to have more trust in his advice. This means that those who have struggled with problems in the past have a unique opportunity and ability to help others who are now struggling with the same types of problems. That's why we invite members who have fought their own battles to write articles that will help others who are now fighting similar battles.
Furthermore, when we have received help and comfort from others, including God, we better understand how to give help and comfort to others. The apostle Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Paul wrote to Corinth about the same problems that plague mankind today. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioner will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). This makes it clear that no matter what kind of sins we have been guilty of, God is very willing and eager to forgive when we are truly sorry and trying to overcome them.
God does not want us to go backwards or even to be stuck in one place. He is pleased if we are growing and going forward, even if progress seems slow. This is partly what the Bible means by "he who overcomes" in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21.
Christians can take encouragement from these words. When people even from difficult backgrounds sincerely seek to please God, pray for His help, seek godly counsel and work hard at overcoming, God will help them with their physical, emotional and mental problems and addictions.
Guidelines for Contributing to Breaking Free Journal
We welcome your participation. Contributed articles must:
- Be written by members of the United Church of God.
- Be submitted under your own name, but you may request that it be published anonymously.
- Be reviewed and possibly edited for brevity, clarity, appropriateness and harmony with the Bible.
- Be sent via e-mail to don_hooser@ucg.org or snail mail to:
- Don Hooser
- C/o United Church of God
- PO Box 541027
- Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Don Hooser
Managing Editor
Breaking Free Journal