This week there were a couple of statements that really hit home with me. I'll discuss one of them when I share my thoughts on one of the quotes. The other is the whole lie about not being able to help the way I am. As I've thought about this lie, it can be so subtle. You can actually believe that in some ways without even realizing it. I think that there have been times when I have believed this lie. When you see something that "runs" in the family, it's easy to think that when you experience the same thing that it's just the way you are. After all, it runs in the family. The fact is, I truly believe in generational hand-me-downs and generational bondage. I have seen things run in families, such as depression, mindsets, etc. But I also believe that those generational cycles can be broken by the power of God. I think we really need to take a look at what we are believing and how we are acting - because our actions tell us what we are believing.
In addition, I also see that in some cases, believing this lie makes for a convenient excuse not to change. It's easy to tell ourselves "that's just the way I am" because then it's easier to not do anything about it. Don't you think that's exactly how the enemy wants us to think? If he can get us to fall for this lie and not do anything about whatever the issue is, then he knows that bondage can result. And the enemy wants us to be in bondage.
So let's take the mask off this ugly lie. Instead of excusing things away in our lives that need to be changed, let's allow God to change the things in us that need to be changed.
Discussion on Assignment #4
Question #1
"Read Psalm 139:1-18. What do you learn from this psalm about God's heart and thoughts toward you?" (pg. 34)
God knows every single little itty bitty thing about me. And He still loves me. That's huge. That is the ultimate unconditional love. He knows my words before they ever hit my tongue! And He still loves me. He still accepts me. That's an amazing love. He exhibits grace and mercy out of His love for me. Wow!
Question #3
"Read Colossians 3:1-17. On the basis of who Christ is and what He has done for us (Colossians 1-2), the apostle Paul tells us that we are responsible to make godly choices in every area of life, including our attitudes, our behavior, and our relationships. What are we to 'put off'? What are we to 'put on'?" (pg. 36)
We are to "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry...But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:5,8-10, NIV)
We are to put on, "...compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14, NIV)
Quote
"What we believe about God is crucial because it affects what we believe about everything else. A distorted or damaged view of God will distort the way we see everything and everyone around us. Frequently we fail to realize that what is causing the irritation and turmoil within our souls is not the people or the circumstances we think are annoying us; rather, the problem is that we are seeing things through a damaged lens." (pg. 64)
What really stood out to me in this quote is where she talks about how irritations that we have with other people may actually be a result of seeing through a "damaged lens." This has really got me thinking. When I deal with a person or a circumstance (I have a particular issue in mind), is it really that person that is annoying me or is my annoyance because I am seeing something incorrectly? Can I actually release that situation and not be annoyed by it? This has really made me think.
Our Memory Work
"'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
- John 8:32 (NIV)
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..."
- Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Assignment 5
Reading
Read the remainder of Chapter Three. Read pages 73-89.
Questions
This week's questions are taken from The Companion Guide for Lies Women Believe. I am only choosing a few questions. I encourage you to purchase this companion guide if you'd like more questions to help you in your study of this book.
1. "Read Psalm 37:1-11. What are the attitudes and behaviors of a person who is claiming her rights? What are the attitudes and responses of the person who has yielded her rights and expectations to God?" (pg. 37)
2. "In what area(s) of your life have you tended to think that something is your 'right' when it may not truly be a 'right' at all...?" (pg. 37)
3. "What are some of your heart's desires that have not yet been fulfilled...?" (pg. 39)
4. "According to Psalm 16:11, where is the only place that all our longings can be completely met?" (pg. 40)
All the above questions have been taken from The Companion Guide for Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss published by Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL ©2002.
The following questions are from me:
5. What does Scripture have to say about a woman's beauty? Give Scripture references.
6. How do we, as women, find balance between taking care of ourselves physically as well as displaying ourselves as the royalty we are and not falling into the trap of focusing too much on physical beauty?
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