Unglued Blog Hop Week 4

 

Ever had one of those days when you felt agitated and annoyed and had no idea why? Well, I had one this week. I was agitated with my husband (can't remember why) and made things worse with my snarky words and stinkin' attitude. This set the tone for the evening in my whole house. My issue (whatever it was) with my husband transferred to my interaction with my sixteen year old (Lord knows that is complicated enough without any help from me). Tension and strife were served for dinner and I was the master chef.

 

Bedtime arrived and I went to tuck my seven year old in for the night (since we were still on good terms). We have been reading a Proverbs a day all this month and this day we read chapter sixteen. I would've expected him to remember something from our current chapter but as he prayed his night time prayers, this is what he said:

 

"...and God help us to be wise. Like the woman in...what was it? Chapter fourteen? The wise woman builds her house but a foolish one tears it down with hear hands. Yes. Help us, God, to be like the wise woman and not like the one who tore her house down with her hands. Amen."

 

Yep.

 

He may have said a foolish woman tears her house down with her hands but all I heard was "a foolish woman tears her house down with her snarky words and stinkin' attitude."

 

Okay, God. I'm listening.

 

All this in the middle of the "Unglued" book study by Lysa Terkeurst. God's definitely got my number.

 

This week was Ch. 7 & 8 for all of us going through the study with Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies. Here are some quotes from Ch. 7 that stood out to me (in light of my snarky words day).

 

"I want it to be evident that I know Jesus, love Jesus, and spend time with Jesus each day. So why do other things bubble to the surface when my life gets stressful and my relationships get strained?"

 

Why, you ask? Oh, friend, she gives answers, but you may not want to hear them. (It's getting kind of personal, if you ask me.)

 

• Selfishness
• Pride
• Impatience
• Anger
• Bitterness

I'm feeling a little exposed.

 

But thank God we don't have to stay where we are. There is hope for change and grace to help.

 

Lysa provides a great example in chapter seven of a five-step process on how she handles raw emotions. She uses 2 Chronicles 20 as her guide. Today, our small group leader challenged us to write our own five-step process from this same text. Here is my SIX step process (because I'm a writer and I always have too many words):

 

1. Close my ears to other's opinions that are based on fear and not faith (vs. 2-3).
2. Remember God's promises and don't be afraid to remind Him of what He has done and what He said He would do (vs. 6-12).
3. Acknowledge that it is not by my power or strength or wisdom, but God's (vs. 12).
4. Position myself to hear God speak to me (vs 17-18).
5. Be still (vs 17-18). This kind of goes with #4 but it's so important I thought it needed its own number.
6. Thank God for the victory (vs 26-28)!

"Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing is what positions me to work in the flow of God's power. I still have to navigate the realities of my situation, but I won't be doing it in my own strength...I want to participate in His divine nature rather than wallow in my own bad attitude and insecurities." pg. 113

 

Amen, sister.

 

In chapter eight (don't worry I'll be quick) Lysa talks about changing our perspective and keeping an attitude of gratitude. A few of my favorite quotes are:

 

"Perspective calls forth a gentleness I can't seem to find any other way." pg. 119

 

"The more my heart is parked in a place of thanksgiving and rejoicing, the less room I have for grumpiness." pg. 121

 

"The more I rejoice, the more I keep things in perspective. The more I keep things in perspective, the gentler I become." pg. 121

 

"I am a woman whose identity has been changed by coming face to face with the One who has the power to completely transform me." pg. 125

 

"The best way to position my heart to tap into the power of God is gratitude." pg. 129

 

We were also challenged to write a gratitude list in our small group. I did, but I think I'll save that for my next post. :)

 

Is anyone else enjoying this study as much as I am?

 

What is your favorite quote from the book?

 

Is anyone else getting lots of opportunities for life application? :)

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~Phil. 4:4-5

 

***Linking up with my Bible study sisters on Melissa's page. Click on the picture below to find your way over there.