Another GREAT chapter I must say! I again would first LOVE to share some parts of the book that stood out to me in hopes that these parts may inspire you as you read over the questions and jot down your thoughts and responses to the questions coming up!
Page # 34-35 "The truth is we were simply not wired for worry. We were not fashioned for fear."
Page # 36 "Worry doesn't prevent bad things from happening. In fact, it may prevent us from leading the full lives God intends us to live."
*LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!
Page # 39 "But instead of fretting, instead of worrying, we need to focus on discerning what we can do (with God's help) and what should be left entirely up to God."
*We simply can't do and fix everything like we often try to or want to. We have to release ourselves from the duty of these things and allow God to handle them.
Page # 41 "Gratitude is important because it has the power to change our attitude."
*This changes our outlook on life in general. We begin to see it more like Christ! Will you pray or worry? We CAN'T do both!!!
I DEFINITELY LOVED this part of the book!
Page # 44-45 "Here, Imagination! Here boy. Sometimes I said it out loud. So strong was the pull that it took a living word picture to pull me back to center. Back to faith. I'd point to the ground beside me and instruct both my imagination and any stray emotions to "Stay". Crazy? Yes, maybe. But it worked for me. Nothing could be crazier than the anxious way I had lived before."
*SOOOO refreshing to see that I am not the ONLY person that has the crazy mind struggles with myself. Constantly battling with thoughts and constantly having rein them back in and get a hold of them.
I LOVED the three steps to VICTORY over WORRY!!!
1. Be anxious over NOTHING
2. Be prayerful about EVERYTHING
3. Be thankful for ALL things.
Fretting/Worrying < (Increases) Problems
Praying < (Magnifies) God
Questions for Discussion/Reflection:
- Martha wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help out in the kitchen, but instead of giving her what she wanted, Dr. Jesus made a diagnosis: "Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about may things." If you had been Martha, how would Jesus' words have made you feel? *Remember to jot your thoughts down in your journal AND post them HERE on the blog!*
-Which of the ten signs of a big worrier on page 33 do you struggle with? How do worry and anxiety spill over into your daily life and affect your behavior, your physical health?
Going Deeper:
LUKE 8:14 "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."
-Fear not only affects us physically but spiritually. List three things that may choke the Word of God out of our lives. Which one do you struggle with most, and how does it choke you spiritually?
-Look at "Concern and Worry" diagram on page 38, and read the quote from Gary E. Gilley. What concerns are you currently facing? What worries? *Remember to write these in your journal so you can re-evaluate them later on down the road. And post them on the blog as well so we can all share with each other!*
-What do the following passages tell us to do with our worries and concerns, and what will be the result?
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
COMMAND: Trust and NOT on your own understanding. RESULT: HE will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
COMMAND: do NOT be anxious about anything & present your requests to God with prayer. RESULT: God will guard our hearts and minds.
-Re-write Matthew 6:25-30 as if God were speaking directly to you and your situation. Then read Matthew 6:31-34 and respond to this passage in prayer to the Lord.
*Don't forget to POST YOUR THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, FEELINGS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING!!! Let's hear it ladies!!! What do you think?
-Jesus' words would have honestly made me feel insecure. I would have felt that I had failed Him. That I totally screwed it up royally this time and that there would never be anything I could do to make it up to the savior of creation!
ReplyDelete-Of the top ten signs of a worrier the ones I would say I struggle with the most would be:
* You know that many of your worries are unrealistic or exaggerated, yet you cannot seem to control them. -I mainly have this one in regards to relationships. I am always, for some reason, worrying that people won't like me or that I will say something stupid that will make people not like me. Or I fear that maybe in some cases I am not smart enough to be a friend to certain people or groups of people.
*You feel situations that other people seem to handle with little difficulty. -The main,(and I know this is silly) reason for this type of worry and fear has to do with storms and weather related issues for me. This is something in life for some reason that is so unpredictable at times and it drives me crazy and makes me scared in those situations. Silly I know.
-Three things that may choke the word of God out of my life: Negative people, too much internet and tv time, and poor use of my time
*I would say they are each something to be careful with. Sure we can try to lift up negative people but those type of people will begin to wear you down after so long, at least they do for me. And as far as the internet and tv time goes if I use them too much or watch too much of it then I begin to use my time unwisely and for things that aren't fulfilling really. Just sitting around and staring at a tv and at a computer screen can bring your spirit down and it certainly doesn't lift it up.
-When we respond to God's love our fear will begin to cease. God is love and if we trust God fully and completely there is nothing to fear but God himself.