“Constipated Christian” is the term Pastor Ryan used in his sermon Sunday morning where we visited his beautiful family in Tomahawk, WI over Labor Day weekend. At first I chuckled at the term because it sounded kind of funny. After all, constipation isn’t something people strike up a conversation about, or preach about from the pulpit, much less adding Christian to it. But as he continued to speak, it made sense. He made a very interesting point that has resonated with me ever since.
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-12
In a world full of hurt and pain, church is a place many go to be filled with God’s love and blessings. We all have areas in our lives that we need God to fill. Maybe you attend church groups, prayer groups, Bible studies, or other church related activities during the week to continue being trained and filled. Perhaps you do a daily devotion or Bible reading and you continue to equip yourself with the word of God and you are filled even more on a daily basis. So every day of the week, you have opportunities to be filled with the word of the Lord.
But how are you applying what you learn? Are you focused on getting filled and forgetting to give out to others? Are you finding ways to access the hearts of the people around you? Are you taking the time to share the love of Christ with others so that you may build up the body of Christ?
To me it is all about balance. If you take in God’s love, God’s gifts, God’s blessings, God’s instruction you are FILLED. And boy does that feel wonderful! But in order to prevent being a “Constipated Christian,” you can’t stop there. You have to GIVE IT OUT. Share God’s love, share your gifts, share your blessings, and share your heart with others.
It could be as simple as having tea or coffee with someone who needs a friend, bringing a meal to a family in need and taking the time to hear their story, or sending a text to a someone and letting them know you are praying for them. These simple acts of kindness can make a bad day turn around. You can impact someone’s life in a positive way and build God’s kingdom.
I have days that I think I am a constipated Christian because my cup is empty and all I want to do is be filled. I praise God for the people who answer the call God puts on their hearts because just at the perfect moment I get a call, email, text, or the wonderful feeling that comes over me knowing someone is praying for me. But as I am filled, I turn around and give because I know how blessed I was when someone took the time to access my heart and show the love of Jesus to me. So I want to take that moment to share, care, and love others.
There will be days and seasons when you will need to be filled, but don’t forget to give out too. God has equipped you to do His work. Be His voice, hands and feet in hurting this world.
Let’s Talk
What do you think about when you hear “Constipated Christian?” What ways are you being FILLED? What are some ways you can GIVE OUT?
joyfullinspirations.com 
What an amazing sermon idea! The title definitely caught my attention – and a great message. Very creative indeed. Thank you for sharing!
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It is always a wonderful thing to share experiences, testimonies, and things that the Word of God tells us. We live in a world that needs to hear the Truth instead of the lies that satan has been telling people.
Check out my blog:
Loftforum.wordpress.com
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Truth be told! We have to be the voice of truth. Blessings.
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I hope I’m able to give more. Once, when I was buying something, I was asked if I could donate a dollar with the thing I bought, and I said “sure”. When I did that, they actually told me to ring this bell in the store, which I thought was cool. So, I rung it, and everyone in the store said “thank you”! It felt great, I had given much more then a dollar before but appreciation really made this single dollar the best dollar I’ve ever spent. God is great. He has given us eternal life, so why can’t we give back just a little bit more?
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You are so right! I agree! Your story really resonated with me as I picture the angels in heaven singing when we give to others. What a blessing! Thank you for sharing your story and for spending some time with me today. Blessings.
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I pray you will be able to spread the message of our Lord. God Bless.
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Thank you so much. God is faithful. To God be the glory. Blessings.
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Thanks. I am a follower of your blog now, by the way.
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Thank you! And I am a follower of your blog too 🙂
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Hey. Thank you for this blog post. I’m really blessed by this blog post. This is so timely. As I’ve read your blog post, I’m reminded that we’re filled to overflow for the good of others. God bless you! 🙂
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Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage me today. You are a blessing. May your blessings flow out to others as you share the love of Christ in this hurting world. Blessing.
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The way you have portrayed our christian doctrine of giving and sharing to make life really meaningful is at once both comic with the comparison and true of life. We just keep praying to receive and never bother about the giving back. Do keep us inspired, and stay blessed.
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Thank you for your words of encouragement. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me and for reflecting on this with meaning and purpose. God has a special way of speaking to our hearts when we are willing to listen. This message spoke to me and it is so timely as I am making time to share, care, and love more. I enjoy hearing from you and receiving encouragement for the journey. Blessings to you my friend.
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God-bless your giving heart. Many are the number that receive God’s blessings few be they that thank him and then share positivity with others.
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Thank you so much. You are truly a blessing to me.
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Hi leticia how r tou dear I have been out of touch on wordpress as I lost my password and was too busy to try finding it. Now with the lockdown I decided to start writing and then found my site. So how r u dear. Take care and do reply when you can.xo judith.
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Hello Dear One! Isn’t it funny how circumstances can take us in directions we never thought would happen? I am so glad you reached out to me. God has truly blessed me to reconnect with some of my early blogging friends on a deeper level. I am LOVING it! Please share more of what you have going on now that you are writing again. I know the world needs some positive encouragement right now and we have the opportunity to be a light for Christ!!!! 🙂 Choose joy, Judith. Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Hi letyecia so relieved to hear from you I was fearing we had lost touch. Actually I lost my password and did not work towards finding a reset now that it’s done yes you will now be seeing and hearing more from me. Life has been a rollercoaster ride since we were in touch last . Due to covid lockdown I’m back to writing again so happy to find you again dear stay blessed and stay in touch.😍
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Thank you for reaching out. I am still here, dear friend. Why don’t we connect via email. You can reach me at joyfullinspirations@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. God Bless You. Choose JOY.
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Oooh, I love this! I hope I give as much as I receive, but probably not. I fill up through daily personal prayers, scripture study and keeping a scripture/spiritual journal, by attending my weekly church meetings and by listening/reading the words of our living prophet and apostles. I think the best way I give out is through service and thinking of others. But this has given me a lot to consider. 💛
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You have such a giving heart, Camie. Sometimes we give and we don’t even realize it. I enjoy being filled when I read your posts. You have a gift for giving through your words, your pictures, and your homeschool. Wow! It sounds like you are doing a great job getting filled! Thank you for sharing your heart with me. I am truly blessed and FILLED by your friendship. As you seek out ways to give, I pray others will be blessed through you. Blessings.
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