The Map
April 19, 2011 | Books, Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Video Bible study
Resource: What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Scriptures: Job 1:6; Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:35-36
Just you and God:
1. List what you believe to be your inadequacies.
2. What does it mean to you to surrender those inadequacies to the Lord? (Make it a prayer if you wish.)
3. Many times when we want to leave behind inadequacies, the enemy tries to distract us, to separate you and me from God’s purpose. According to Job 1:6; Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8, what adversarial role does the enemy play in our dreams of following Christ?
4. What tactic has distracted or defeated you in the past?
5. What God-truths do you find in Ephesians 6:11 (we are equipped!), James 4:7-8, and John 10:10 to oppose those tactics?
6. Read Hebrews 10:35-36. In what ways can you begin to honor God (plow the ground right where you are) now? What tangible step can you take to honor God in the area where you feel the most inadequate?
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1. Focusing on imperfections, I would say that I have issues with consistency associated with faith. I have it, but at struggles, I sometimes fall back on reliance on self. Why? Who knows? I know I need complete and totally reliance on God. I have to ask myself what that’s about. You know?
2. Million dollar question! Even as I ponder that one, I can see that I surrender…it’s partial versus complete. Ugh. If it truly complete, then I wouldn’t have issues. Although, perhaps it would be some other THING.
3. The evil one makes it his mission to distract us. It’s like he wants to not only take our heart for God, but rip it, squish it, tear it, and destroy it so that there is absolutely nothing left. When we don’t fight or we are complacent, it’s another fiber stripped away.
4. Shame and self-doubt have plagued me for years. When I am grounded – focused on God, studying the life and actions of Christ, adhering to the instuctions of the Holy Spirit, etc., I can better see who I am. But as soon as I waver or shift my attention, somehow, without fail, Satan finds a way to get me on those two points. And it’s not always outright. I think the sutile attacks are the worse ones.
5.I am thoroughly covered and equipped. Dressed for success, as it were. If I surrender to God, resistance will be my reality. The devil will have no choice but to flee. God wants for me (and I want for myself) abundance in life. In LIFE (Christ).
6. Persevere. I can be confident even as I endure challenges, struggles, and obstacles that come with living this life.
Thanks for this. Totally loving this study!
April 20th, 2011 at 2:50 pmForgive the errors. Didn’t proof. So excited to communicate my thoughts. Hopefully, others will share their thoughts on this wonderful study.
April 20th, 2011 at 2:52 pmI am very excited to join you with my mentor in this study.
April 20th, 2011 at 5:28 pmAwesome!
Hey Kim C. I can’t wait to connect with you through this study. Don’t you love it so far?
Blessings to you.
Kim T
April 20th, 2011 at 6:11 pmSo excited to find your blog today and even more that you’re using Lysa’s book. Excited to join in on this study.
April 24th, 2011 at 7:25 pm1. I think my inadequacies are keeping up with my “wifely” duties. I sometimes feel like I let my husband down because I don’t keep the house spic & span during the school year (I am a teacher), and I am not one to cook alot. I struggle with finances: paying things off, keeping a hold on not spending too much, and consistently giving tithe. I find my words sometimes are not said in love, and I also seem to think I am not healthy enough. I worry about getting sick all the time and it preoccupies my thoughts.
2. When I was thinking about surrendering, I thought of that song “I Surrender All”, a good Baptist hymn. I wrote a prayer: Lord, as for me, I trust in You. You are my God. My times are in Your hands. (Ps 31:14) I know You will never leave me or forsake me (Deut.). I will cast all my care and axieties on you Lord because You care for me and will never let the righteous fall. (Ps 55:22, 1 Pet 5:7) Lord, I know You will never give me more than I can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). I am turning it over to you Lord.
3. Satan is roaming the earth, looking for someone to devour, to kill and destroy all their hopes and dreams and will. He wants to crush us and destroy our purpose. I must be alert. Satan wants to separate us from Christ, so we must keep strong in our faith and stay on our toes!
4. The devil uses tension with others and arguments to lead me astray. I harp on feelings, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. The devil feeds me the lies of “what if” and “if only” so I can’t be happy and joyful in my here and now, with my present circumstances. The devil puts doubt in my mind, especially when it comes to tithe and “but how will we pay this?”, and I doubt and lose trust in God. I often take on too much because I feel like I need to do everything to be good enough and I lose focus, can’t get things done, I get overworked and stressed out. When I am stressed and tired, it affects my spiritual life as well.
5. In order to resist the devil, I need to draw near to God and put on the full armor. I should memorize scripture so when I feel Satan’s attacks, I can recite verses. I need to be in constant prayer, even if its a “breath prayer” like “Lord I need you!” I need to schedule quiet time with God so the business of life doesn’t disturb my time. Attend church regularly, tithe, participate in small group and Sunday school, read my Bible daily, and listen to religious music and read encouraging devotions from others.
6. How can I honor God now? I need to draw close to Him, and speak truth, not just to others, but to myself. I need to make a point to start a “wifely” task each day and possibly play upbeat encouraging christian music while I do it to remind myself, I am going to get this done because I can do all things through Christ!! I need to have a “truth” ready to speak anytime I speak a lie to myself. Start by giving some tithe, and gradually build. Before I say something negative to someone, I should ask, “Is this going to edify? Is this going to speak life or death?”
I am enjoying the study so much! Thank you!
April 26th, 2011 at 1:09 pmWow! As I read Emily’s comment, I felt that I could have written it myself. I, too, struggle with feeling inadequate as a wife and mother. I feel that I don’t keep house the way I should, look the way I should, I’m not a good enough mother. Even though, I have an amazing family and know that they don’t feel that way! I’m not a “supermom” that makes everything from scratch, bakes for and attends all the school parties, hosts friends at home…why do I even feel that I SHOULD do those things?
My body image is a real struggle for me, as well. I look in the mirror and feel that there is no real reason for my husband to even be attracted to me. So I insult myself, both in my own head and out loud. I expect for my husband to agree when I say negative things about myself. He hates it.
I give Satan an “in” all the time. I truly want to turn these feelings of inadequacy over to God!
My prayer:
May 9th, 2011 at 10:31 amLord, I know that you love me don’t desire these feelings for me. I want to let go of these feelings of inadequacy and strive to be the mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend that I can be through you. So many of these feelings are negative and self-centered! I desire a closer, deeper, relationship with you, God! I desire to be free of self doubt and a focus on imperfections. I pray that You will help me focus on You! Remind me daily, hourly- every moment, in all situations to rely on You. I love you Lord!