We made it through Week 1 of our study of Life\u2019s Healing Choices by John Baker.\u00a0 For those who stayed with us, and those who may have just joined \u2026 WELCOME!<\/p>\n
Remember from last week, our key word is RECOVERY.\u00a0 We will touch upon eight basic principles during our study together.\u00a0 We learned about letting go and admitting \u201cI am not God.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week we will focus on \u201cEarnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Do you believe this truth?\u00a0 The whole truth?\u00a0 Sure, many of us believe that God exists.\u00a0 Some may even believe that He has the power to help me.\u00a0 But do you struggle (as I do) with the concept that you matter to Him?\u00a0 I find myself thinking at time, \u201chow can the big God of the universe really think about my life?\u201d\u00a0 Well, as my Creator, He cares for me intensely and immensely!<\/p>\n
I am a crocheter.\u00a0 While I learned the art at a young age by watching an aunt and my grandmother, I\u2019m primarily self-taught.\u00a0 I carry yarn & hooks with me to most places, and have been known to write patterns, instructions, or diagrams on restaurant napkins for friends.\u00a0 When I create a baby sweater, a hat for a cancer patient, or even just something silly for my kids, there\u2019s a tremendous sense of pride in what I\u2019ve accomplished.\u00a0 If I can find this from a skein of yarn, just imagine how God feels about us!\u00a0 So of course He is behind us as our greatest cheerleader, coach, and encourager.\u00a0 As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, we are His masterpiece!<\/p>\n
In the days ahead, we\u2019ll discover how beneficial grief and pain can be in our lives.\u00a0 Yes, you read that correctly.\u00a0 I said grief and pain can be beneficial to our lives.\u00a0 It\u2019s through grieving our choices, mistakes, and short-comings that we gain insight to make the necessary changes in our lives.\u00a0 It\u2019s through the pain of our experiences that God strengthens our character, and teaches us more about His character.\u00a0 James tells us, \u201cwhen troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy!\u201d<\/p>\n
I can see you shaking your head and saying, \u201cHe\u2019s got to be kidding!\u00a0 Troubles are time for great joy?\u201d On page 39, Baker tells us \u201cJust as grief is God\u2019s pathway to comfort, pain is God\u2019s antidote for denial.\u201d\u00a0 We cannot deny our pain when we actually feel it.\u00a0 And we cannot find healing unless we recognize there is a problem in the first place.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s how we manage our pain, grief and brokenness that often gets us in to trouble.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The numbness makes it possible to deny there\u2019s even a problem.\u00a0 But the numbness also makes it impossible to find the joy that comes through the difficulties.\u00a0 The joy of drawing closer to God.\u00a0 The joy of strengthening relationships.\u00a0 The joy of overcoming with grace.\u00a0 The joy of helping others through their troubles.<\/p>\n
I once heard Joni Eareckson Tada speak about her life after a tragic accident at 17 left her paralyzed.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t feel sorry for herself, but rather saw the opportunities to work for God in ways she wouldn\u2019t have been able to without the accident.\u00a0 If you want to hear more from Joni on turning brokenness into blessing, http:\/\/www.xenos.org\/teachings\/?teaching=1533<\/a><\/p>\n Baker also points out in Chapter 2 that there are three \u201cdenial busters\u201d: crisis, confrontation, and catastrophe.\u00a0 Reading this chapter, I could immediate see how crisis came to my life in 1996, but it wasn\u2019t enough to fully bust my denial on choices I had been making in my life that took me away from Him\u00a0 It was when the catastrophe fell in 2001 that my eyes were finally opened.\u00a0 Are you able to pinpoint specific events in your life that were meant to serve as denial busters?<\/p>\n In Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Oswald Chambers says, \u201cThe 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.\u201d (p 16).<\/p>\n So let\u2019s shake off the denial, let\u2019s open up to His lessons \u2026 go against the grain and let the bristling begin.\u00a0 At the end of this journey, the discomfort will yield tremendous freedom & joy \u2026 beyond anything you ever thought possible before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reading Assignment for Week 2: <\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 2 — The Hope Choice Monday: Laurie will discuss Principle 2: The Hope Choice <\/p>\n Power Verses for Chapter 2:<\/strong> Matthew 6:34, Psalm 34:18, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-8<\/p>\n Colossians 1:27, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 42:3<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ****************<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nTuesday: Leslie will discuss Truth about God
\nWednesday: Kim will discuss Plugging in to God\u2019s Power
\nThursday: Amy will discuss Make The Choice, Action Steps to make it real in your life
\nFriday: Laurie will bring it all back home with a recap of our week<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nPhilippians 2:13, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 10:13<\/p>\n