I love our step study group. I’m so amazed at the unity and trust that is forming, and it’s only the first lesson. I’m so honored to be part of this group. As one of the co-leaders the temptation to keep up my “perfect image” lingers around, but I’m so thankful that I have been transparent. It wasn’t easy sharing my recent slip-ups or how beyond my comfort zone leaderships seems, but I’m glad it’s out there. There are still several more messy layers to share, but I’m moving in the right direction.
The thing I must remember is that this isn’t about me or what I’ve done. The story of my life is a story about the grace and unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I get distracted and allow my focus to turn inward, but that kind of thinking always leads me astray. Rather than focus on my problems, I need to focus on the One who holds the solution. It’s all about Him.
If we focus on the negative, we tend to harbor negative thoughts. We begin to lose our joy and peace. We must take our thoughts captive, as we “think about” what we’re thinking about. “And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b).
When I consider the times I’ve battled depression, it all began with the negative thoughts that I started to believe. I’m not good enough, I’m not pretty, I’m the only one having to go through this trial. Other times, my negative emotions were fueled by feelings of inadequacy or failure. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve failed God.
Today, I’m learning that I cannot allow my mind to travel down the negative path. On this journey to recovery, my focus must be on the destination, not the slip-ups along the way. The thing is God is faithful even when I’m not (2 Timothy 2:13) and when he forgives, he promises to forget our sins. He puts our sins for ever out of His sight-behind His back (Isaiah 38:17), as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). When I remember God’s perspective, I can be happy and free, free from the loneliness, free from the negative thoughts, free from the shame. It’s all about Him.
It's all about him (Alan Jackson)
:) I agree with everything you wrote!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about loneliness, and it's impact in my life I realize that the enemy has often used my alone time- something good and something I need- to try and separate me from God.
I love step study!!!
Rochelle