Sometimes God uses the things in life that you least expect to be the catalyst for the biggest changes. I am currently reading a book for our church women’s group. I will be honest, I started the book with a bad attitude. I didn’t like the title, I questioned the motives of the author and I had recently done another study on the same topic. All those put together, I was reading the book without expecting to get a lot out of it.
Every month, we meet as leaders before our women’s study meets. At that meeting, the other leaders were raving about how much they loved the book. I was honestly a little shocked. How could they love something so much that I was having trouble even finishing? What was I missing?
As I started to explain my frustrations with the book, floods of emotion came rushing in. Now, I’m not typically a very emotional person so this response surprised me. I realized that I have some hurt and unforgiveness that has been holding me back. I have been blaming past situations and circumstances for my current position. I was expecting someone else to open the doors for me instead of putting in the work to open them for myself.
As my precious friends poured encouragement into me and graciously handled my bad attitude, I was convicted. It is so easy to play the victim. It is easy to allow the actions of others to hinder our own forward movement. Sure sometimes the actions and attitudes of others might create an obstacle, but God is bigger than any obstacle.
When I went to the leaders meeting, I was not expecting much. I expected a nice conversation about a book like we usually have. However, God used that meeting to reveal to me some areas of wrong thinking in my life. He showed me some thought patterns that were holding me back and preventing me from accomplishing the very things He has called me to do.
I cannot move forward while holding onto the past! I can use it to propel me forward, but I cannot sit in frustration and blame.
I’m so thankful for my friends! Before I was even home from the meeting, one of the other leaders sent me an email outlining steps I could take to move forward. She sent me a list! My favorite!
I believe that meeting was a catalyst for what God is about to do in my life. I believe He wanted to remove the wrong thinking so He can open the doors to my future and I will be free to walk through them. I believe this is exactly what the Bible is talking about when it says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) I was set free from wrong thinking so that I would be free to fully pursue God’s plan for my life. Freedom has purpose.
Oh, it’s not always comfortable. It is often easier to continue with our wrong thinking, blaming others for what is happening to us. But the reality is, freedom is where the Spirit of the Lord lives! (II Corinthians 3:17) Freedom is where we walk in the full possibility of what God wants to do in our lives. No longer do we have to be a slave to our circumstances or to our wrong way of thinking; but instead, we can renew our minds and live in the truth of God’s amazing grace!
Kelly Joy's Blog
I am so excited to announce that Paused: Protecting Your Faith When God Says “Wait” is now available on Amazon!
Read a sample of Paused here:
Week 4 Day 2: Waiting for the Miraculous— Mark 2
We learned last week about the importance of not relying on the faith of others. Instead, we must grow our own faith. Yet, there is a time when the faith of others can carry us to our faith opportunity. Or perhaps, our faith will create an opportunity for another person to meet with Christ.
• Read Mark 2:1-12.
What type of situation did the men encounter when they arrived at the home where Jesus was?
Instead of giving up because they had to wait to receive their miracle, how did the friends of the paralytic man use their faith to create an opportunity for their friend to meet with Jesus?
These men had to wait to see Jesus. They arrived at the home where Jesus was, but they could not get the answer they sought right away. They had some work to do. They had to remove the barrier between them and their miracle.
What would have happened if they had given up and gone home when they encountered difficulties?
The paralytic man’s friends truly believed that Jesus was the answer they were looking for. They were willing to go to any length to get to him. Sometimes we must labor in prayer to see our miracle.
Have you ever had to battle in prayer in order to help a friend receive their miracle? If so, explain.
What did Jesus say to the paralytic man when He saw the faith of his friends?
Do you think this was the response his friends were looking for? Why or why not?
I’m not sure the man’s friends understood the value of the man’s sins being forgiven. They had just carried the man up on the roof, dug a hole, and lowered him through it. I’m sure they were hoping for his healing. I’m guessing they did all that because they wanted Jesus to heal his legs so he could walk home. They probably did not plan on lifting him back through the roof so they could carry him home. It is very likely that they were more focused on their friend’s physical condition than his spiritual condition.
Have you experienced a time where you didn’t receive the physical miracle you were praying for, but instead received a spiritual miracle? If so, describe what happened.
Thankfully, Jesus was not done. He not only forgave the man of his sins, but he also healed him. It is easy to become distracted by miracles. We can begin to seek the miracles, instead of seeking Christ. We can become so focused on the answer to our prayers that we lose sight of the Answer to our prayers- Jesus!
• Read Luke 10:17-20.
The disciples were excited that they were able to perform miracles, but what did Jesus remind them to keep their focus on instead?
Why did Jesus encourage the disciples to shift their focus?
It is so important to develop character that can handle miracles. Jesus reminded the dis- ciples in these verses that it is not the miracle we are to focus on, but our salvation. Be careful as your faith grows and as you step out and begin to pray powerful prayers that you do not forget it is your relationship with Jesus that matters most.
It was not the faith of his friends that healed the paralytic. He still had to exercise his own faith to stand up and pick up his mat. However, it was the faith of his friends that brought him to the place where he could receive from Christ.
What are some practical ways that you can be the kind of friend who creates opportunities for others to meet with Jesus?
Is there someone in your life that you need to carry to Jesus? How can your faith pave the way for that person to receive a miracle?
In your own life, do you see yourself more as the person who needs people to bring you to Christ or the friend who is bringing the person to Christ? Why?
To order your copy of Paused visit Amazon: Paused
To order 20 or more copies, please contact kellyfjestad@hotmail.com for discount pricing.
Kelly Joy's Blog