Thursday, April 11, 2013

Real problem

Thursday... Bible Study Blog Hop Day...



We're just in Chapter one & Melissa was right when she said this book is packed full of information.  Which is why we're taking 12 weeks to go through it.  I'm thankful.  I'm trying to take each chapter & break it down in small segments so I can really grasp it.

Just in Chapter 1, so much "Oh yeah" & "Oh man" kinda emotions...

There is a section called "The First Step to Freedom"... appropriate being in chapter 1 & labeled the first step.

But I went to town with my pen on this part.  Stars & smiling faces, & frowns & a lot of exclamation points all over the page

... the first sentences say it all

"You have complete control over whether you spend life stressed & depressed or happy & fulfilled, despite the circumstances you face"

I... me... you... we have complete control

(I now am having a flash back to the 80's & getting my Janet Jackson groove on singing "Control")

But that's where I think my problem is...

Its so easy to blame circumstances for our stress

Finances... who isn't struggling to make their bills & have any thing left over
News Headlines.... between threats of wars & shootings happening every day
Government... hello?  Who wants to go throat punch the representatives of our country with me?
Jobs/Office Politics .... funny how rules are different for different people in the same company
Housework.... there's only 2 people in my house - why cant it stay picked up?
Hurtful people.... doesn't everyone have people in their lives that say just the right thing to stab you?

I could go on & on with examples of things that cause stress

But I was reminded that we have "complete control" how we'll spent our life through all these things.

That is the problem... to me anyways... sometimes I don't feel like I have control over that.

But I guess that's where FAITH comes in... & TRUSTING God's word... it's about believing that God is in control.

I actually printed this out & have it sitting on my desk as a good reminder...



So I'm excited to dive further in the book... 11 more weeks ahead of learning to Trust God MORE...

of taking that control of how we respond...

I already have learned, we don't have much control in this world
... but God gives us the control over ourselves
... & the funny thing?  This is where I want to give the control back to God.

Here's to a stressed-less life & 11 great weeks ahead of drawing closer to our awesome God!

8 comments:

  1. That sounds like a pretty awesome book!

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  2. Just the name of that book draws me right in and u want to do this study! Thanks and yes, I'd love to throat punch a few people with you! :)

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  3. The title of your book doesn't show up for me....just a blank square...what are you reading?

    I am SO thankful God is in control.

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  4. Rebecca Jo - thank you. I've now got "Con-troooll" by Miss Jackson on repeat in my head. ;) Yes. To so very much of what you wrote here. I, too, smiley faced, exclaimed, and frowned all over the pages of the first chapter. Being reminded, in black and white, of how we are the only ones who can control our reactions to the stressors around us, was intensely convicting.

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  5. AHHHHHHHHH I just tried to post and google STRESSED ME -- tried to stress me!
    So, I try again!

    Great blog site; very creative; you made me laugh;
    and it is a great thing to be living one step at a time to a less stressed life with Melissa!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AHHHHHHHHH I just tried to post and google STRESSED ME -- tried to stress me!
    So, I try again!

    Great blog site; very creative; you made me laugh;
    and it is a great thing to be living one step at a time to a less stressed life with Melissa!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh yea, and oh me - exactly my thoughts. Why do I need this study? Who me, yes I found out I need it and it's only the first week. Loved reading your blog this morning. Debbie W. (OBS Group Leader)

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  8. You touched on a point about being in control of depression. I agree. My depression is debilitating if I do not take my medication. Even so, I did something about it. I went to the doctors. I got the help I needed. I took control over the depression.
    My mother, however, refuses to get help. She is letting the depression take a hold of her life. It's quite sad.

    ReplyDelete

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