Who Does God Say I Am? Week Four

Guidance in Uncertainty 

Verses and Questions:

• Phillipians 4:6-7

• Joshua 1:9

• Isaiah 30:21

• Psalm 32:8

• James 1:5-6

• When you think about who God says you are, which part of that identity feels hardest to trust when life becomes uncertain?

• What is your reaction when you don't know what to do?

Journal: Where do you feel the pull between your identity in Christ and your instinct to protect yourself?

Last week we talked about what the difference is between duty and delight. Having a strong connection with God gives us hope and courage during times of uncertainty. These times always come out of nowhere and can really take the wind out of our sails. Just this week our AC went out (in June. In south Texas). I locked my keys in the house, leaving me without a car or a way back inside while my kids were stranded at school. Then my husband got unexpectedly deployed and the water heater broke and flooded our entire house. These times were especially a handful when you throw in two diaper-wearing toddlers. It was difficult for me to focus on anything other than trying to get everything back in order. I had to trust that these things were happening for a reason. 

One major theme we talked about in week three was the responsibilities associated with having an intimate relationship with God. One of the biggest ways to glorify Him is to live a transformed life. Freeing ourselves of our former self so that we can grow in our faith and head on the path drawn out for us by Him. This is also a strength during times of uncertainty. It takes practice and we are going to fail at it constantly. However, it is during difficult times where we both use our strengths and grow them. We can find peace in stressful situations. Without peace, we have no joy and joy is one of those things we have to fight for. We have to choose to live instead of going into survival mode. Growing in our faith requires us to consistently feed our souls by reading our bibles so that when difficult times do come, we are prepared with the word embedded in our hearts already. 

Most of this is all easier said than done. The “doing” part is where I fail a lot of the times. I think when I begin to trust Him over my own understanding of the stress, that is when I understand. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”

-Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Again, this is something that is so easy to say but difficult to actually put into practice. It takes a great deal of courage to fight for this kind of peace and acceptance.

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

-Joshua 1:9 NLT

Just like joy is something we have to fight for, peace is something we have to be courageous enough to accept so that we can follow the instructions meant specifically for us. 

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

-Isaiah 30:21 NIV

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

-Psalm 32:8 NIV

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

-James 1:5-6 NIV

Doubt. Man I hate how much that one gets to me. There are so many verses telling us not to doubt but for me I think I doubt myself and my abilities way more than I doubt that what God is saying is truthful. When things become so blurred and uncertain I run back to my own bad habits and create an anxious environment for myself because discipline somehow sounds harder. It probably is harder but that's the point. Doing hard work to get the reward and promises offered to us! 

Next week will begin discussing one of the more commonly talked about topics in Christian discipline which is prayer. 

Journal: Where do you feel the pull between your identity in Christ and your instinct to protect yourself?