{"id":7662,"date":"2013-01-21T00:01:41","date_gmt":"2013-01-21T05:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=7662"},"modified":"2013-01-21T00:23:48","modified_gmt":"2013-01-21T05:23:48","slug":"lifes-healing-choices-letting-go-the-commitment-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/01\/21\/lifes-healing-choices-letting-go-the-commitment-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Life&#8217;s Healing Choices: Chapter 3 &#8211; &#8220;Letting Go&#8221; &#8211; The Commitment Choice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><strong>Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ\u2019s care and control.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/2013\/01\/20\/lifes-healing-choices-the-commitment-choice\/matthew5_5\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7666\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7666\" alt=\"Matthew5_5\" src=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Matthew5_5.jpg\" width=\"466\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Matthew5_5.jpg 466w, https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Matthew5_5-300x217.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Good morning ladies, we have admitted we are powerless to control our lives and that we are not God.\u00a0 We also acknowledged God exists, we matter to Him and that He has the power to help us recover.\u00a0 His word says, \u201c <b><i>Come to Me, ALL who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.\u00a0 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. \u00a0I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light<\/i><\/b>.\u201d\u00a0 Matthew 11:28-30.<\/p>\n<p>So, <em><strong>WHAT\u2019S HOLDING US BACK<\/strong><\/em>?\u00a0 What is keeping us from letting go and letting God? What is stopping us from receiving that peace that surpasses ALL understanding?\u00a0 His Word says that even the winds and the sea obey Him.\u00a0 He healed lepers, caused the blind to see and the lame to walk. When His beloved Peter kept his eyes on Him, he walked upon the water.\u00a0 The grass grows, trees sway in the wind, waves hit the shore and mountains reach into the clouds.\u00a0 So \u2013 again, <em><strong>WHAT\u2019S HOLDING US BACK<\/strong><\/em>?<\/p>\n<p>In Life\u2019s Healing Choices, John Baker talks of five things that keep us from making the choice to surrender total care and control to the One True God:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pride<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Guilt<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fear<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Worry<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Doubt<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s take one at a time:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>Pride<\/b>, what a powerful word.\u00a0 When\u00a0 I see the word pride, the scripture that comes to mind is Proverbs 16:18 \u2013 \u201cPride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.\u201d\u00a0 It is often times we think we can do things on our own, we don\u2019t need help.\u00a0 I know because I continued thinking I could walk away from the lifestyle I chose on my own, only to fall within a few days \u2013 sometimes hours.\u00a0 When I surrendered completely to Him, humbled myself and realized without God I could do nothing, He took the desires away.\u00a0 He restored relationships I had destroyed and showed me His unfailing love.\u00a0 I would like to share a song He used to bring me into the reality of how awesome He is \u2013 that as we turn to Him, he runs to us \u2013 still amazes me today!! <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/NBzcOGydUaA\">http:\/\/youtu.be\/NBzcOGydUaA<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8211; we only need to seek Him.<\/p>\n<p><b>Guilt<\/b> and shame can break our spirits.\u00a0 John Baker asks the question \u2013 have you tried to make deals with God?\u00a0 Have you asked for His help so many times, you may be embarrassed to ask again.\u00a0 Maybe you think if you don\u2019t ask for help, He won\u2019t know you need it.\u00a0 I have done all the above \u2013 actually tried to hide things out of guilt.\u00a0 Like He didn\u2019t know what was going on.\u00a0 He knows ALL!!\u00a0 He wants to forgive us and take away the shame \u2013 His desire is for us to live a life of abundance.\u00a0 <b><i>\u201cDelight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.\u201d<\/i><\/b> Psalm 37:4 \u2013 we only need to seek Him.<\/p>\n<p>How many of us have stood in paralyzing <b>fear<\/b>?\u00a0 Fear that our children would not recover? Fear that we could lose our job? Fear that we didn\u2019t know where our next dollars would come from? Fear of someone coming into our home that was not invited? Fear of finding our way home safely? Fear, fear, fear!!!\u00a0 We live in a world of fear \u2013 economy, safety and health.\u00a0 I know in my life, I feared that people would \u2018find me out.\u2019\u00a0 That they would see who I really was.\u00a0 I thought I had control, yet lived in fear every day.\u00a0 When we place our belief in the One True God, He promises to take those fears. <b><i>\u201cI sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.\u201d<\/i><\/b> Psalm 34:4 \u2013 we only need to seek Him.<\/p>\n<p><b>Worry <\/b>is a word that was often used within my family.\u00a0 I grew up with a mom, grandmothers and sisters who all worried from one day to the next what was going to happen.\u00a0 As I sit here and think of that, I look at a sign my mom had in her living room for years \u2013 \u201cOne day at a time.\u201d\u00a0 Oh, I know that is a popular saying, but how many of us actually do live one day at a time.\u00a0 Again I will take you to His word, in Matthew 6, Jesus was speaking to the multitudes about worry.\u00a0 He tells of how God takes care of the birds of the air, the lilies of the field \u2013 that we should not worry of what we eat, drink or wear.\u00a0 \u201c<b><i>For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.\u00a0 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow<\/i><\/b>\u2026\u201d (Matthew 6: 32-34) \u00a0He is willing and DOES care for us and provides all that is necessary \u2013 we only need to\u00a0 seek Him.<\/p>\n<p>Is my faith too small?\u00a0 I have asked myself that question.\u00a0 Do you <b>doubt<\/b> why God would help you?\u00a0 Why would the Most High, Omnipotent God look at me and say \u2013 \u201c<b><i>If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, \u2018Move from here to there,\u2019 and it will move: and nothing will be impossible for you.\u201d (<\/i><\/b>Matthew 17:20) \u00a0Jairus went to Jesus with a request that any one of us as mothers would ask&#8230;&#8221;Please heal my child&#8221;. \u00a0Jairus had doubts, he asked for help with his unbelief.\u00a0 What was Jesus\u2019 response? <b><i>\u201cDo not be afraid; only believe\u201d<\/i><\/b>\u00a0(Mark 5:36) and the girl was restored to life.\u00a0 We only need to seek Him and believe.\u00a0 Lord, help us believe!!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">______________________<\/p>\n<p><b>Let\u2019s Pray:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Most gracious Father, You have given us so many promises to grab hold of.\u00a0 Oh that we would believe whole-heartedly.\u00a0 That we would be able to go through each day knowing You will care for every little thing in our lives.\u00a0 Your Word says You do, it is us that falls short.\u00a0 Father, I ask that each one in this study would seek You and feel Your presence, that we would all lay down the pride, guilt, fear, worry or doubt that we have throughout our lives.\u00a0 Let us make the decision to open our lives to Your total care and control.\u00a0 Although we don\u2019t see where You will take us, we know this is the right thing.\u00a0 Give us the strength and faith, even as tiny as a mustard seed, to take one day at a time with You, knowing we matter so much to You and that Your love for us is unfailing.\u00a0 We give You all the glory and honor \u2013 In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen!!<\/p>\n<p><b>Your Assignment<\/b>:<\/p>\n<p>Let us know what is keeping you from turning total care and control over to Him?\u00a0 What does living one day at a time mean to you?\u00a0<em>Remember, all comments on this blog are public. \u00a0You have the option of signing in anonymously.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">___________________________<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you are interested in joining us for the Life&#8217;s Healing Choices online Bible study, click <a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/sign-up-for-girlfriends-coffee-hour-online-bible-studies\/\">HERE<\/a>. \u00a0Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you would like to send a private message to Laurie in regards to this blog, please email her at <strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><a href=\"mailto:laurie@girlfriendscoffeehour.com\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">laurie@girlfriendscoffeehour.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ\u2019s care and control. Good morning ladies, we have admitted we are powerless to control our lives and that we are not God.\u00a0 We also acknowledged God exists, we matter to Him and that He has the power to help us recover.\u00a0 His word says, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":7666,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[22],"tags":[1503,425,570,596,608,1500,654,1493,1491,1499,723,1498,841,1365,873,1140],"class_list":["post-7662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-victorious-healing","tag-christian-womens-fellowship-group","tag-girlfriends-coffee-hour","tag-john-baker","tag-laurie-ellis","tag-lifes-healing-choices","tag-mark-536","tag-matthew-1128-30","tag-matthew-1720","tag-matthew-55","tag-matthew-632-34","tag-online-bible-studies","tag-proverbs-1618","tag-psalm-344","tag-psalm-374","tag-recovery","tag-womens-online-bible-studies","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Matthew5_5.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p39pHp-1ZA","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7662"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7782,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7662\/revisions\/7782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}