Category Archives: Insignificance

Chemotherapy Burned Away Self-Hatred

Eve Ensler

Eve Ensler was physically and sexually abused by her father while growing up. This drove her to become an activist and playwright. She gained a very controversial yet monumental role in women’s rights.

She has spent most of her life talking, listening, traveling the world, helping women. Ensler met women who were raped in Bosnia, cut in Kenya, destroyed in Afghanistan. She used the very thing that had broken her to encourage women. She urged them not to become bound by the awful things that happened.

While she is a controversial activist and playwright Ensler carries another title proudly: cancer survivor. Eve was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Three days later she had a nine-hour operation. She lost many organs and nodes. It was a life changing event.

It was through her illness that she began to experience true healing. According to an interview she had on the Today Show, “For years I carried around such darkness, such sorrow, such self-hatred. When I would sit with the port and five hours of chemotherapy juice would go into my body I would visualize it burning away.”

Ensler challenged women to respect their bodies no matter what society says. She struggled with the same insecurities as the women she encountered all over the world. She disassociated herself from her violated body. She felt ashamed of what had happened to her.

She also believed the lies of western society that define beauty and determines what a woman is expected to look like. Who would have thought that her diagnosis of cancer would become the wake up she needed all along?

Armed with this new self-awareness and love for her life she has been able to more effectively communicate with women. Eve has been able to help women overcome obstacles.

These women learn how to begin rebuilding their life. This is a broken world filled with broken people who hope for wholeness.

There is hope. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to give each of us the opportunity to begin again. He took the pain of our failures on His shoulders. He bore the pain of our brokenness on His back. He is willing to give you new life and new hope.

It begins with a simple prayer: “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I am broken and need healing. I am tired of the pain life dealt me. Please give me new life as I declare You to be Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will contact you to help you take the next step toward wholeness.

-Kateyn Flowers

 

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Olympic Wild Card Rower Wins Crowd Not Medal

Wild Card Rower

Hamadou issakThree months ago, Hamadou Issaka was a gardener in Niger. This past weekend, he was an Olympic competitor. Chosen through a wild card lottery for the 2012 London Olympic games, this swimmer turned wild card rower has now been named the “Sculling Sloth.”

His performance was not record-breaking, but in a grand Olympic tradition, his spirit as a competitor won the crowd that cheered wildly as Issaka crossed the finish line more than 1 minute 30 seconds after the first place winner. Not everyone can be an Olympic athlete. The idea that an ordinary man from Niger would find himself in the Olympic games has not pleased everyone. But, for many people Issaka is symbolic of the ordinary guy who goes through life without too much notice.

Perhaps that’s why the spectators found themselves cheering for a man who had never set foot in a boat 90 days ago but who through a long series of events represented Niger in the Olympic games. Most people fear being ordinary. We tend to celebrate the brightest, the most beautiful, the super athletes. Most of us will never be described that way by anyone.

Sometimes that can make a people doubt their worth. They can feel insignificant. Invisible. Ordinary.

It may seem like that, but God does not view any person as ordinary or insignificant. In fact, you are anything but ordinary! You are made in God’s image.

Perhaps you may never be an Olympic athlete. You might escape the notice of some people around you, but you will always be seen by God. He sees you having worth. He sees you trying hard to make a good life. He sees you as deserving of a special gift.

God loves you so much that He sent His one and only Son into the world to ensure that you could have life, abundant life! He sees your worth. He also sees your need. Each of us have failed at one time or another. Those failings can come between God and us. The Bible calls it: “Sin.” Jesus came to forgive our sins and offer us an opportunity to move beyond problems and experience true forgiveness.

Just a few short days ago, hardly anyone had heard of Hamadou Issaka of Niger. Today, he is an Olympic athlete. That’s quite a change, but nothing compared to the simple truth that when a person comes to Christ and asks for new life, they are granted forgiveness for today and life for all of eternity.

If you want the chance to move out of ordinary living. If you want the opportunity to make a new beginning, ask Jesus to become Lord of your life. It is as simple as a prayer: “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. Sometimes I feel so insignificant
. I ask You to forgive me and give me new life. I promise to follow after you from this day onward. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, simply click the button below this article and someone will contact you soon to help you take the next step forward.

 

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Your Life has Significance

All of us go through hard times and sometimes we may feel invisible, unimportant, unappreciated. We can struggle with the purpose of life.  When life doesn’t go as we hoped, we’re tempted to believe that we cannot contribute to our family, our workplace and our society. What difference does one person’s life make anyway?  Can anyone battle this war with insignificance?

Well, recently the Iowa Caucus showed just how significant one person can really be.  The front, runner (Mitt Romney) and second place candidate (Rick Santorum) were separated by just 8 votes after 100,000 caucus votes were counted.  Eight votes signaled who won and who lost in Iowa. Amazingly, sometimes decisions are much closer even than that!

In 1997 – Vermont State representative Sydney Nixon was seated as an apparent one vote winner, 570 to 569.   Mr. Nixon resigned when the State House determined, after a recount, that he had actually lost to his opponent Robert Emond 572 to 571.

In fact, one United States presidential election was determined by a single vote.  In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one vote in the House of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College. One person’s voice can make a real difference.

Because of our loneliness, we may be tempted to ignore our own worth, our own significance, but our feelings do not make us right or wrong. You may struggle with self worth, but you have tremendous worth in the eyes of your Creator. So much so that He sent His one and only son into our world to provide a way for you to have relationship with Him.  

It was a costly decision. Because all human-beings have failings, because we have all done wrong things in our lives, Jesus Christ had to settle a sin debt he did not owe in order for us to be friends with God.  He paid that price on the cross when he died for your sins and mine.  Three days later he rose from the dead and sealed the deal forever. We can be friends of God!

You may wonder if your life has value. You may struggle with how you feel about yourself, but make no mistake, God values you.  He gave His most precious gift to you when He offered you salvation through Jesus Christ. Now the decision is yours.  Will you choose Jesus?

If you are ready to find your worth in God’s love for you, why not pray this prayer?  “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. Please forgive me for all those things. I ask You to become Lord and Savior of my life. Help me to find my worth in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

If you prayed that prayer today, please click the “yes” button below and someone will contact you soon. Jesus Loves You!

-Bill Hennessy

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Miley Cyrus Birthday Comments a Search for Significance?

Former Disney star, Miley Cyrus is getting a lot of attention these days, but not all attention is good. Psychiatrist Carole Lieberman, the author of "Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets," counts herself as one who thinks Cyrus is playing with fire…“She is on a slippery slope and no one seems to be paying attention except the media. Not her parents, nor her managers, nor anyone else. In fact, these dalliances with drugs seem to be Miley's sad way of getting attention.”

Can someone be a star and feel insignificant?  Yes, anyone can feel lonely, shy or withdrawn. The stage persona many put on while in public does not mean that they have found something worth living for.  Miley Cyrus appears to be crying out for help, but her cries seem to be falling on deaf ears. If she cannot find a sense of purpose, it is likely that she will continue to self-destruct.

Many people can feel insignificant and cry out for attention.  In a day when so many people find fame and fortune, others are left disenfranchised, and looking for acceptance.  Feelings of insignificance can destroy us too. Unless we live in the spotlight, few will notice, but the battle for significance has caused many people to do foolish things in order to find acceptance.

How can you live life with purpose? How can you find significance?  It begins by acknowledging that you not an accident that happened. Your life was designed by God. He created you to be valued and fulfilled. If you do not feel those things today, it is possible that you need a relationship with Jesus Christ. He can give you a life with meaning.

It all begins with a prayer: “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong. I know I was created for a purpose, but I feel so insignificant today. I want love and friendship, but I just keep making mistakes. Please accept me as Your own and I will make you Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name.,Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, why not click the “Yes” button below and let us help you take the next step.

-Bill Hennessy

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Sense of Insignificance Empowers Occupy Movement

Occupy Wall Street has morphed into “Occupy America,” one city at a time.  Many lonely people have found their voices in the streets. They appear full of life and eager to make their voices heard.

What would motivate someone to join this movement? Call it perceived insignificance. Almost everyone wants to live a life with purpose.  Recent problems with the world economy left many people feeling disenfranchised, insignificant.  They want to live life with meaning, but feel powerless

People have always felt shy, withdrawn and insignificant.   Being part of a crowd offers a sense of empowerment, but without guidance, what prevents a crowd from becoming a mob?  When a movement states its purpose positively, it can give its members something worth living for. The goals of the movement become their own purpose of life

“We are the 99 percent!” is an appealing cry, but can a leaderless movement offer anyone significance?

Lately, those most involved in the “Occupy” movement have discovered that some people joined in the movement to do little more than draw negative attention through acts of violence against police, property owners and other even protesters.  This doesn't help their movement gain acceptance. It doesn't give people something worth living for.  

Those who truly believe the Occupy movement can change the world will not accomplish their goals without first empowering someone to lead the effort. Occupy protesters have lost faith in society’s leaders. They are hesitant to declare and empower new leaders, so is there a solution?

Jesus Christ came to give voice to the 99 percent. He came to set the captives free.  He also came to offer the one percent a new beginning. He offers everyone who will listen the potential for a life with a purpose.  This is not organized religion, but a personal relationship that you can begin today.

If you feel insignificant, if you feel that your voice is not being heard, you can speak with God today and be assured of His answer.  Jesus can offer you that sense of purpose that you have battled to find. He can offer you eternal life and a cure for your loneliness.  Perhaps it’s time to allow God to occupy your life! Here is a prayer you can say:

“Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done, things that have hurt people and offended you. I ask that you become Lord of my life and that we walk this journey together. I know that You have offered me purpose and something worth living for. I want to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will be in contact with you to help you take the next step.

- Bill Hennessy

 

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Insignificance Can Be Overcome!

Many people feel insignificant. They battle with loneliness. They feel shy and withdrawn.  They wish they had something worth living for, but seem to miss the purpose of life.

Other people seem to live life with meaning. They are driven by a sense of purpose.  They seem full of life.

If you battle insignificance you may wonder if there is a way to live life with a purpose.  Perhaps you are tired of being lonely. You can move from insignificance to significance!

Jesus declared that He came to give you life, abundant life.  He understands the pain of rejection because He was rejected by all of mankind. He also knows that you were designed with a purpose in mind. God created you to have friendship with Him.

Developing your friendship with God provides you a life with purpose.  Instead of feeling withdrawn and shy, you learn to trust Jesus and find strength in your relationship with Him.  Instead of being lonely, you can cry out to Jesus with every concern or worry.  He is a faithful friend.

Having a life with meaning is possible. You were born to experience a vibrant relationship with God.  He can restore your hope for the future and He can salvage your past.   It begins with a simple prayer.

Ask God to forgive you for whatever wrongs you have done. Ask Him to become Lord and Savior of your life. Surrender to Him and ask Him to live in you.  He will listen and give you a new life. If you want to move from a sense of insignificance to a life of purpose, pray to Jesus today!

- Bill Hennessy

Battling Insignificance

Most everyone longs for a sense of purpose and acceptance. If these things are missing, people often battle for significance.   That’s because we long for something worth living for.  We want a sense of purpose.  We want to know that our lives count for something bigger than ourselves.

Those who battle a sense of insignificance are often unaware that they are created in the image of God. They can feel shy and withdrawn, fighting loneliness at every level. That’s unfortunate, because Jesus Christ came to give us life, abundant life.

Finding a sense of purpose isn’t difficult. Since we are created in God’s image, it is logical that He has a design for our lives.  Identify that design and you can live a life with meaning.  Living life with a purpose is the one sure way to battle insignificance.  Being lonely is a sure sign that you have missed God’s purpose in your life, because God wants each of us to engage others and offer them the same purpose of life we found.

If you have battled with insignificance, take the important step of giving it to Jesus Christ. Ask Him to forgive you for the things you have done wrong and ask Him to give you a new identity in Him. As you begin to follow Him, He will answer you and give you a life with meaning and purpose!

There are millions of lonely people in our world.  Like you, they are created in God’s image.  Like you, they can be full of life as they discover life with a purpose.  God’s design for your life is that you discover a relationship with Him and offer that same kind of relationship to others.  When you do, you will find your feelings of insignificance will be replaced with a joy that only God can give.

- Bill Hennessy

Overcoming Insignficance

 

Do you remember the phrase, “Shrinking Violet?”  It referred to someone who was shy, someone withdrawn, and someone who battled with a sense of insignificance. If you feel that way, you already know that being lonely can shape your life in a way that prevents you from living life with purpose.

A great first step is to determine the purpose of life.  If you believe that you are an accident, if you believe that you have no say about your place in the world, you will be lonely and shrink from others who reach out to you.  Life with meaning is possible!  You can live life with a purpose!

You have probably noticed that some people seem full of life.  They seem to have an outlook on life that is quite different from yours.  I have observed that those who understand their purpose, those who are full of life, those who overcome loneliness, find their value in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus understands what it means to be lonely.  On the night he was arrested, he was deserted by nearly everyone He loved.  His loneliness didn’t stop Him from taking our place on the cross.  He went to the cross to make a way for you and me to live a live with purpose.  His sacrifice is what empowers us to overcome our own insignificance and find something worth living for. His death and resurrection can provide your life with meaning, but first, you need to acknowledge what He did on your behalf.

Perhaps it is time you take the next step toward overcoming your own sense of insignificance and ask Jesus to forgive you and give you a sense of purpose. Just talk to Jesus. He is willing to listen and forgive. He is willing to help you overcome your loneliness and live life with significance.

-Bill Hennessy

Discovering Purpose

 

Have you ever thought about the purpose of life?  It’s a popular topic today.  Living life with meaning is not simple.   So many people have so many conflicting ideas about life’s meaning that you might have given up entirely on finding purpose.

 When you live a life without purpose, feelings of insignificance can invade your world.  You might even wonder if life is worth the living. Often, Loneliness becomes your most consistent companion. When you do meet people who are full of life, it hurts to the very core of your life. You might even ask if you will ever stop being lonely.

When people live life with a purpose, they seem to have a hope within that cannot be dampened.  They don’t seem to struggle with being lonely.  You might wonder, “What is their secret?”  “How can they seem so happy, so directed?”  There must be an internal compass that guides them.  You couldn’t be more right!

The people I know who have found the purpose of life met the creator of life itself!  God offers each of us the opportunity to live life with a purpose that will help us overcome loneliness and begin each new day full of life. The key is asking God to change your life once and for all.  

Asking Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior not only provides you with forgiveness, it offers you a life with a purpose.  As you walk with Christ, you can overcome insignificance and feel full of life again.  Perhaps it is time for you to make that commitment and live a life with meaning

- Bill Hennessy

Overcoming Insignificance

If you visit any bookstore, you will likely find the shelves full of ideas on how to live life with meaning or discover the purpose of life.  Many people search for secret keys to help them overcome their own sense of insignificance.  Often their search comes up empty.

I’ve met many people who thought that you could buy significance with money. Like the prodigal son, they have friends while the money lasts, but as soon as the money is gone, so are their “friends.”

Wealth alone will not help you. Many rich people are very miserable.  They battle loneliness too.  That same loneliness that you feel can lead to real frustration in life.

I read a news story today about a rich man who lost both his son and his girl friend in less than one week.  Will his riches bring them back? Whatever that man’s money may buy, it cannot buy him a cure for the loneliness he must feel right now. Being lonely can actually be positive, if it drives us to look for significance in the right direction.

So what is the purpose of life?  How can you become full of life

To have a life with a purpose, we must develop a relationship with God.  He knows that we fight insignificance. He knows that we struggle to create relationships that last. If you are lonely today, if you struggle to live a life with meaning, Jesus Christ has a gift for you: new life. He promises to give you life and life more abundant.

-Bill Hennessy