![\"GCH_Colossians](\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/GCH_Colossians-3_16.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
This week we have discussed how to stay on the path, finish the race, and maintain momentum in order to grow in our relationship with Christ and leave our past behind.\u00a0 When I was just walking away from my past, I remember waiting and wanting God to really show Himself—not just show Himself, but REALLY show Himself to me.\u00a0 I can only imagine the things He tried to show me or places He wanted me to go to that, because I was waiting for the BIG show, I missed out on blessings.\u00a0 Then I got discouraged and that\u2019s when the enemy wanted to swoop down and distract me.\u00a0 The little whispers of \u201cYou\u2019re not worthy enough,\u201d or \u201cSee, you really didn\u2019t recover from that.\u201d\u00a0 Recovery is not always seeing the\u00a0BIG shows but listening, spending time with God, and beginning to know who He really is.\u00a0 The following Scriptures are just a few that show God\u2019s power through the smallest of things—or what we<\/b> see as small things:<\/p>\n
Be still and know that I am God.\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n
Psalm 46:10<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.<\/i><\/p>\n Job 37:14<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n And if you leave God\u2019s paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, \u2018No this is the way: walk here.\u2019 <\/i><\/p>\n Isaiah 30:21<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice.\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n 1Kings 19:12<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n If you go back to read those Scriptures, look at the words used for us to see God\u2019s power:\u00a0 be still, stand, hear, walk, and the still small voice of God<\/em>.\u00a0 We need to seek Him through our prayer time, Bible reading, and begin knowing who He really is and be thankful for all that He has brought us through.\u00a0 Each one of us has come through a different fire and been refined at different places, but God\u2019s miracles and promises are Yes and Amen!!\u00a0 Believing that is truly how we can avoid relapse!!<\/p>\n Monday:<\/strong> We discussed the four patterns of relapse \u2013 Complacency; Confusion; Compromise and Catastrophe.\u00a0 If we become too comfortable and start believing we are ok, or that we don\u2019t need to stay the course, then the enemy can quickly get a foothold and start the doubt, confusion, and compromise.\u00a0 Then we start heading directly for CATASTROPHE!!\u00a0 God has such a bigger plan for each one of you.\u00a0 Stay the course.<\/p>\n Tuesday:<\/strong> Leslie talked with us about the causes of relapse—we revert to our own willpower; we ignore the choices; we try to recover without support; and we become prideful.\u00a0 We cannot stress enough how important it is to have support through this process.\u00a0 Even when you come to the end of the study, it is important to remember to keep your support person who will stay with you to the end.\u00a0 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.\u00a0 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in trouble (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10).\u00a0 <\/b>\u00a0Then Leslie made an excellent statement: \u2018Our greatest weakness is often unguarded strength.\u2019\u00a0 If we get to the point we think we have it, be careful \u2013 don\u2019t let your guard down, don\u2019t take your armor off \u2013 guard yourself with His strength and power.<\/p>\n Wednesday:<\/strong> Kim started us off midweek with: \u201cWe must plant ourselves at His feet daily. It\u2019s like water for us, friends. He is our Stronghold now and what an awesome Stronghold<\/i>!\u201d Can you imagine going without anything to drink for more than a day? Or a week? Or a month?\u00a0 So why try to go without our Living Water for a day?!?\u00a0 He is just waiting to transform and renew your mind.\u00a0 He longs to restore all we have lost from our past.\u00a0 Sound good?\u00a0 So what do we have to do?\u00a0 Rely on Him; He will restore your soul.<\/p>\n Thursday:<\/strong> Amy brought it back to us with pray<\/span> about it, write<\/span> about it and share<\/span> about it.\u00a0 The method of praying scripture will be such a refreshment to your daily prayer life.\u00a0 Talking to God about His word and using it personally in your life can bring so much more freedom and gives you more insight into who He is.\u00a0 When you are praying, stop and listen for that still small voice to speak—don\u2019t be in such a hurry or routine, you pray through and move on. Take time to write about the four areas we discussed: physical, emotional, relational and spiritual.\u00a0 Are you hurting? Tired? Angry?\u00a0 Listen to how you are reacting to others and are you relying on God?\u00a0 Once you have taken the time to write about it then share with your accountability partner if you are having any difficult areas; also remember what is very important:\u00a0 CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES<\/i><\/strong> no matter how small you may think them to be.<\/p>\n As we take time to reflect this weekend and begin to prepare for the last week, take time to look back in your journals and see how far God has brought you in this healing.\u00a0 Begin to thank Him for bringing you through your past and into the present with hope for the future.\u00a0 Thank Him for being the awesome God He is, thank Him for others He has placed in your life, thank Him for your recovery, and thank Him for your church.\u00a0 Remain in this \u2018attitude of gratitude\u2019 through this next week as we embark on how He wants us to use our recovery.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Pray: <\/b><\/p>\n Most gracious Father, we come to You with humble and grateful hearts as we end this week.\u00a0 Father, I thank You for each one of these amazing women in this study.\u00a0\u00a0Keep them safe, guard their hearts, and help them to rejoice in their healing.\u00a0 Lord, help us to set aside the distractions of this world to focus and listen to Your voice, whether it is the BIG show or the still small voice.\u00a0 Help us to understand what You have planned for each one of us and prepare us for this.\u00a0 Let others see You through our words and actions.\u00a0\u00a0We thank You for Your perfect grace and forgiveness.\u00a0 Father, as we continue on this race help us to keep humble giving all the glory and honor to You.\u00a0 In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!<\/p>\n Your Assignment: **********<\/p>\n If you would like to send a private message to Laurie in regards to this blog, please email her at Laurie@girlfriendscoffeehour.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u25a0Realize I am not God \u25a0Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, that He has the power to help me recover \u25a0Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ\u2019s care and control \u25a0Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust \u25a0Voluntarily submit 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\n<\/b>We have talked about celebrating the victories, no matter how small.\u00a0 We would love to celebrate with you.\u00a0 After reading this, if you are comfortable, share what victories you have had through this study.<\/p>\n