Outcasts

Do you ever feel like an outcast? An outcast in your family? In your community, or among your circles? For me, I can say……yes. (Not in my blogging community though, y’all are great!)

Sadly, when most people are brain injured it causes a standoffish reaction from their community of people. Their closest friends slowly back away….and the other not so close ones vanish like soap bubbles. I had no idea in 2016 this was the all too common reaction from the majority of well bodied people. I naively thought I would be loved and supported but instead, I was cast aside.

Although this response shocked me then, I’ve come to see past this and seek answers beyond. Jesus has taught me this: He loves and came for all of us outcasts, misfits, losers, and those labeled as abnormal by worldly standards. He didn’t really have much to do with those who had it all together…..instead, he hung out with the out crowd.

My security comes from Him. He is my everything, not people’s reactions to me. He loves me just like I am. Physically broken……yes, but spiritually I am whole, healed!! He sees past my TBI to a woman bought, redeemed, and justified. He is my everything because He is perfect in every way and lives inside of me.

Knowing my security doesn’t come from anyone other than Jesus comforts the sting of being an outcast because this world is not my home. I’m just here on a temporary basis because my real home is in Heaven with Jesus my Lord.

Much love,

Viv 🌷🌺🌻

Author: Viv

I'm a spoonie Blogger grieving the loss of my husband who went home 2/13/22.

51 thoughts on “Outcasts”

  1. Girl, this is so encouraging! I’m not in the exact same boat, but yes, I totally get feeling like an outcast. Before I open my mouth and people see that I am just a normal girl in a chair, people sometimes act stand-offish, perhaps unsure of my cognitive state. But how beautiful and wonderful that God loves us, and we are His daughters, no matter how others see us! β™₯

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    1. Oh Lily, it is beautiful and wonderful to be loved by the One who fearfully and wonderfully made us! Amen! Yes, my mama is in a wheelchair too and it’s been hard for her with people asking my dad questions instead of her. He tells them (politely) to ask her and then usually they are glad to talk to her after mistakenly assuming she couldn’t communicate when discovering how smart and perceptive she actually is. Much love!❀

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      1. Awwwww, how kind of you to say that Renee! That melts my heart and brings to me so much joy, hope and love. Awwwww, love you back !!β€πŸ˜ƒπŸ€—πŸ€—

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  2. God is a God of relations, and He created us to interact, and He created us with emotions. It takes a lot of strength and courage to focus on Him, Who He is, and how He feels about you; and to nurture God’s relation over what we perceive other to be. I’m so glad that He send us people when we really need that “skin on” kind of support.

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    1. Amen Kathy! I’m blessed for this blogging family whom He has provided for me at this time. It’s hard to just chin up and say “oh well” when others hurt/abandon us but I know God won’t ever do the same which is a huge comfort. ❀

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  3. Excellent post. Paul the apostle is a great example of losing everything worldly to follow God’s calling for him.
    One interesting aspect of the biblical narrative stories of faith is that they have little or nothing to do with the American Dream. The God-composed journeys of faith…detailed life-scripts…for the people from Abraham through Paul transcend above the American Dream.
    They create a different criteria for judging success in this life…not worldly outward success…but a personal relationship with God…open and accessible to everyone.
    This is one explanation for why the world crucified Jesus…and why followers of Jesus are often treated as outcasts…not fitting-in with the lower standards of conventional thinking.
    The beautiful thing about the cross of Christ is that it covers the worst and the highest…the greatest worldly defeat and the highest divine victory…meaning that Jesus can reach down into the lowest pits of sin and despair…to reach, lift-up, and transform lost and broken people like me.
    God bless you.

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    1. Amen and amen! Thank you so much for this very helpful comment. As a follower of Jesus, we can expect to be treated like outcasts but it hurts when the church does the same.

      God bless you!

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  4. Viv, I’m so sorry that you’ve experienced that kind of abandonment! For different reasons I’ve been there – and it was the people from my church that walked away that hurt the most. Thank you for sharing your experience and how God is speaking to you in it. It gave me food for thought as I’m preparing a post about the importance of community when we’re in the wilderness. Yes, God has called us to it, but it can be painful and messy. Praying that you will continue to find God’s comfort and that He will bring spiritual friends into your life that will stick with you no matter what.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer! Yes, when the church folk fail us it’s totally unexpected and hurts far worse. I have gained so many good friends here on WordPress for which I am thankful. Amen! God bless you always and hugs! β€πŸ€—

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Amen sister! That knowledge is such a comfort……..knowing our heavenly Father loves us and that we are citizens of heaven, just here temporarily. Love you too!!πŸ€—πŸ€—β€β€β€β€

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  5. Sorry you have experienced feeling like and outcast little sister. I am glad you embrace your identity in Jesus because that is what really matters.

    My chronic illnesses are not visible, so no one knows unless I tell them. The ones I have told at my church have been supportive. I prayed for you to experience the same. πŸ™‚

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    1. Thanks brother Matt. My daughter and I pray for you daily. πŸ™

      I think most people think a brain injury involves the mind. So immediately, people back away when told there’s something wrong in my head…….I don’t tell people anymore because, then they are nicer and treat me better.πŸ™„

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    1. Awwww sweet Deborah….thank you for your compassion. Most people with a brain injury are treated this way. It’s usually once a day someone from my TBI group mentions this sadness so it’s pretty much widespread. Yes, my blogging community is such a gift from God…..He knew I needed you all! ❀❀

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  6. What a great message! I quit going to my small group at church because I felt like such an outcast. I’ve never felt like that here in the blogging community, though. πŸ’• You are such an inspiration and so loved!! πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—

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    1. I’m so sorry you have been treated that way Michelle.πŸ˜₯ Churches today can be like social clubs and can be clickish. I was shocked to realise the lack of love and support there and mostly saddened. Yes, the WordPress family is amazing! We are all broken and have imperfections but love eachother just how we are…..that’s how it ought to be. That’s my kind of people. Awwww, love you back neighbor!! πŸ€—πŸ€—β€πŸ¦‹

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  7. How true that Christ spent His earthly life reaching out to the outcasts. I love the verse in Ephesians 1 that tells me I am β€œaccepted in the Beloved”. May God enlarge aOur hearts to welcome rather than exclude! Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. Very true. Yes, agape love is not conditional thankfully. I’m grateful for God’s love especially now because it’s more precious after man’s rejection. Love you Dawn. β€πŸ˜„πŸŒ»

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    1. Awwwww! How wonderful! Thank you, and I look forward to being a part.πŸ˜πŸ€—β€β€ Please pray for me, my silly eyes are not happy due to my cranial adjustments Monday. Love you!

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  8. Amen! Amen! Amen! I love your heart and can tell you fully trust and believe in God’s promise! I’m so thankful that Jesus love and protection is bigger and bolder to you than the lies Satan uses.

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  9. ❀ ❀ ❀ amen! It's amazing how the Lord will teach us through trial, but then also bless us through the lesson. I know I've lost friends before, but the people He's provided afterward, it's like completely different. ❀

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