Our story continues with the second part of how to deal with being infected with STDs, or how to help someone you love who is infected with STDs. What should you do and how to find help? Here’s some good advice from a person who is going through a similar situation. This blog post shows where to find God in our hour of suffering. Christian Singles can learn from this story and how to deal with such a tragedy and prevent themselves from falling into the same trap as this Christian single woman.
The story shared in STD – Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Singles (Part I) is from a very brave woman who made ONE mistake that now impacts her life. First, I want to thank her publicly for caring enough about others that she allowed me to share her story. It is one way that God is using her ‘mistake’ to bring significant benefit to the lives of so many other Christian Singles. It is our prayer that God will use these articles to “educate” and empower others to the truth.
How does one go on with life when this or another tragedy has so greatly impacted them? As so often the case, this tragedy was mostly caused through the selfish act of another. You can most certainly say that there are these times when life is NOT fair.
As I share these thoughts with you, I am literally asking God to guide and enable me to share what HE wants you to know and hear. “God, you are the healer and comforter and said that you came that we might have life and live it more abundantly. Please reveal this to us.”
- Living in this ‘human’ world seems to lull us into insensitivity to truth and the events in the world around us. For example, how many miles have you driven without giving any thought to safety – only to suddenly come upon a bad accident and realize that life is very precious and taking safety for granted is a dumb thing to do. I suppose this is what happens when we hear stories like this. May God use it as a ‘wake up’ call in our own lives about STDs.
- God does not sit up in Heaven thinking about what lightning bolt, cancer OR sexually transmitted (STDs) disease that He will send our way. The Bible is VERY clear in this area. James 1:13-15 ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, bears sin: and the sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.’
Please see previous articles about:
Sex Before Marriage. What does God say about it?
Living Together Before Marriage.
IF YOU HAVE AN STD:
- When I confront something that I cannot handle on my own, I find myself seeking scripture to understand where God is. Such a verse often comes to me in 1Corinthians 10:13 ‘No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.’
- I am led to another scripture as I share direction with you. 1John 1:7 ‘But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.’ I realize that you cannot walk around and share with ‘everyone’ that you have an STD. This would not be a wise action. However, it is also not wise to walk around in denial. To do so encourages isolation and additional temptations that you do not want to confront.
- I would suggest that you find a STDs support group in your area where you can be open and not only receive encouragement, but be an encourager to others. How do you find such a group? Contact a Christian counsellor and ask for their suggestion in where one is or how to begin one.
- Perhaps the most challenging aspect of a STDs’ condition is the impact it has on potential relationships. You know that you MUST share this, but when and how? While I cannot give you a specific instruction as to when, I do encourage you to share this at such time as a relationship begins to take on a serious emphasis. It is important that you know whether or not this person is ‘trustworthy’ before you share this part of your life. Do not expect them to be educated about this condition and the positive and negative aspects of it. However, if God is a part of the other person’s life too and seeking His guidance, then you have the foundation for a bright future. May I suggest that you do your own homework and be prepared ‘factually’ as you share this. Do not smother them with ‘information’, but be prepared as they ask.
Please see another blog post about When to share your past when infected by STDs.
- Remember that there is NOTHING you have done or CAN DO that will remove the relationship you enjoy with God! You are an adopted child of His and will live in eternity with Him – now and in the future. Romans 8:38-39 ‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
- God loves you and so do I, and other Brothers and Sisters. Do not walk in shame – for we all must so walk if we measure our sins. Confess your sins, accept God’s forgiveness and walk forward with His embrace and power. Learn from your experience and realize that God can ALWAYS use our story to bring healing and comfort to others. When you confront others who do not understand, say a prayer for them and leave them up to God. 1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN STD:
- Do not think yourself better than anyone else. A former Pastor of mine made the statement that anyone will commit any sin, if the conditions are right. This is so true and I encourage you to think about the ‘conditions’ you are placing yourself into and change them for the best.
- Do not be naïve or dumb when it comes to the real dangers Satan has created in your world. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a real problem in our world as the fact that 1 out of 5 adults has herpes! This is not some “preacher’s” words, but is confirmed by the Center for Disease Control’s web site
Facts Genital Herpes
- When you learn that a Brother or Sister has an STD, do not shun them or look down on them! You and I are far from perfect and to elevate one sin more or less to another is absolutely wrong. Sin is sin – and we ALL have sinned. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
- Since so many adults have herpes, I would suggest that you educate yourself in how to relate to someone with herpes. It is NOT the end of the world and they can live very happy lives. See that you are one that makes the world that they live in a brighter one!
God feels the pain of His children
God’s heart must be breaking so many times as He sees and feels the pain of His children. His Spirit is with us always and desires to bring hope, joy and love into our world. Thank God for the times you enjoy and the comfort He provides in the times of trial. We serve a purpose while He leaves us on earth and He will provide the strength and means to do so, filled with His joy.
May God speak to you in your circumstance in His loving and accepting way. AND may you always know that you have a Pastor and a ministry who cares about all that you are going through.
In His abundant love,
Dr. Jim
James 1:2-5
‘Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.’
Romans 8: 16-18
‘The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.’
0 comments on “STDs (Sexual Transmitted Diseases) (Part II)” Add yours →