We made it through Week 1 of our study of Life’s Healing Choices by John Baker.  For those who stayed with us, and those who may have just joined … WELCOME!

Remember from last week, our key word is RECOVERY.  We will touch upon eight basic principles during our study together.  We learned about letting go and admitting “I am not God.”

This week we will focus on “Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me.”

Do you believe this truth?  The whole truth?  Sure, many of us believe that God exists.  Some may even believe that He has the power to help me.  But do you struggle (as I do) with the concept that you matter to Him?  I find myself thinking at time, “how can the big God of the universe really think about my life?”  Well, as my Creator, He cares for me intensely and immensely!

I am a crocheter.  While I learned the art at a young age by watching an aunt and my grandmother, I’m primarily self-taught.  I carry yarn & hooks with me to most places, and have been known to write patterns, instructions, or diagrams on restaurant napkins for friends.  When I create a baby sweater, a hat for a cancer patient, or even just something silly for my kids, there’s a tremendous sense of pride in what I’ve accomplished.  If I can find this from a skein of yarn, just imagine how God feels about us!  So of course He is behind us as our greatest cheerleader, coach, and encourager.  As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, we are His masterpiece!

In the days ahead, we’ll discover how beneficial grief and pain can be in our lives.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I said grief and pain can be beneficial to our lives.  It’s through grieving our choices, mistakes, and short-comings that we gain insight to make the necessary changes in our lives.  It’s through the pain of our experiences that God strengthens our character, and teaches us more about His character.  James tells us, “when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy!”

I can see you shaking your head and saying, “He’s got to be kidding!  Troubles are time for great joy?” On page 39, Baker tells us “Just as grief is God’s pathway to comfort, pain is God’s antidote for denial.”  We cannot deny our pain when we actually feel it.  And we cannot find healing unless we recognize there is a problem in the first place.

It’s how we manage our pain, grief and brokenness that often gets us in to trouble.  We choose to numb through drugs, alcohol, food or relationships, but the numbness makes us unable to process the emotions, learn from the experience, and see the joys God has for our lives.  The numbness makes it possible to deny there’s even a problem.  But the numbness also makes it impossible to find the joy that comes through the difficulties.  The joy of drawing closer to God.  The joy of strengthening relationships.  The joy of overcoming with grace.  The joy of helping others through their troubles.

I once heard Joni Eareckson Tada speak about her life after a tragic accident at 17 left her paralyzed.  She didn’t feel sorry for herself, but rather saw the opportunities to work for God in ways she wouldn’t have been able to without the accident.  If you want to hear more from Joni on turning brokenness into blessing, http://www.xenos.org/teachings/?teaching=1533

Baker also points out in Chapter 2 that there are three “denial busters”: crisis, confrontation, and catastrophe.  Reading this chapter, I could immediate see how crisis came to my life in 1996, but it wasn’t enough to fully bust my denial on choices I had been making in my life that took me away from Him  It was when the catastrophe fell in 2001 that my eyes were finally opened.  Are you able to pinpoint specific events in your life that were meant to serve as denial busters?

In Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Oswald Chambers says, “The teaching of Jesus Christ comes with astonishing discomfort to begin with, because it is out of all proportion to our natural way of looking at things, but Jesus puts in a new sense of proportion, and slowly we form our way of walking and our conversation on the line of his precepts.” (p 16).

So let’s shake off the denial, let’s open up to His lessons … go against the grain and let the bristling begin.  At the end of this journey, the discomfort will yield tremendous freedom & joy … beyond anything you ever thought possible before.

Reading Assignment for Week 2:

Chapter 2 — The Hope Choice

Monday: Laurie will discuss Principle 2: The Hope Choice
Tuesday: Leslie will discuss Truth about God
Wednesday: Kim will discuss Plugging in to God’s Power
Thursday: Amy will discuss Make The Choice, Action Steps to make it real in your life
Friday: Laurie will bring it all back home with a recap of our week

Power Verses for Chapter 2:
Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Matthew 6:34, Psalm 34:18, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

Colossians 1:27, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 42:3

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If you are interested in joining this online Bible study, please click HERE.  Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

If you would like to send Amy a private message in regards to this blog, you may send it to her at: Amy@girlfriendscoffeehour.com