[arachnophobia.kid]

I wanted to get people's thoughts on this.

I don't like it when the world influences me, but at the same time I recognize that there is a need to be involved in community and meaningful relationships.

It's sort of along the "be in the world, but not of the world" line of thinking. As the world is so full of distractions from God and I feel overly exposed even if I'm just riding the bus. I feel over exposed when I spend too much time with people too, even if we share a lot of the same beliefs.

For example, I love to hear what people have to say about their beliefs but I want to remain neutral despite everything. I see it as, "this person's information is coming from a book, the internet, someone else, or their own personal experience" and really, none of that holds any weight in terms of finding the truth, yet they speak as if it is true. It's great that people can express their faith and their beliefs but it is also dangerously authoritative and I am susceptible to listening, for better or for worse. I don't like that. What if I take something to heart that is against God?

So I withdraw in order to make sure that my beliefs are truly mine and that I'm not just following blindly. But when I do this, it results in such alienation, where I just don't agree with people regularly. I get very distressed in my relationships because I am somewhat disconnected as I'd prefer not to let them influence me too much. But despite all of this, I do need love, affection, and meaningful relationships in my life. Finding a balance for how much I should let people in is difficult for me.

I am also concerned that maybe I am too prideful of my own ideas and that may be the reason why I don't want to let people in.

[Rapunzel]

Beware of pride. It is a dangerous pit. I think that I understand where you're coming from here. And when someone proclaims that they have the only truth and everyone else must be wrong, that does sound like it is coming from pride. We all can learn something from someone else, and I think there is always going to be someone who has a bit of truth, or maybe a little more than that, that we don't have yet. I think that there is nothing wrong with being influenced in and of itself, just as long as we stay aware of the source, whether it is good or otherwise, and that is probably the hardest part: identifying the source. God, or someone who is truly speaking in His name will only give truth. The adversary mixes truth and lies, as if he only told lies then it would be obvious, so the mix is more likely to confuse us. And "men," or just people speaking for themselves will be somewhere in between.

The only way to know whether you are hearing truth, or what part of it is truth, is to check it out with God. Pray about it. See what answer you receive. Don't take anyone's word for granted, but do listen and be open to learning from others. Don't take your own ideas for granted either. Be open to them, think about them, and ask God what is right.

[Fuzzybear]