WHERE’S THE SUPER GLUE?
I started my first online Bible study through Melissa Taylor’s Online Bible Studies. We’re studying the book “Unglued” by Lysa Terkeurst. I signed up without even looking at what the book was about or even looking at the cover carefully (I thought it was a pelican for two days before Melissa asked what we thought the woman was doing with her head in a bag). Apparently, I really needed to do this book study, as I’m unglued! When my friend posted that she was doing it, I just knew I wanted to do a Bible study. I didn’t really care what subject it was about because, c’mon, what part of my life is “put together?” You know my motto: You can always do better! To my surprise, it was EXACTLY what I’ve been struggling with lately. It’s the one prayer I’ve been praying over and over lately. Isn’t God so stinkin cool? My prayer – Not letting my emotions affect me (and others) negatively!
I wanted to share my thoughts about this book so far and how it’s changing my life.
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| Doesn’t this just make you want to do a Bible study? Coffee, a book, and the Bible! Yes, please! |
Week 1 – Chapters 1 & 2
This week I took away two key points from my study: Imperfect Progress and How To Not Freak Out.
The first lesson, imperfect progress, is about making progress in your life spiritually, emotionally, whatever, but doing it one step at a time, not perfectly. Well, if you know me at all, you know I’m a perfectionist. I think it makes me a hard worker, but it also makes me stray away from making progress because I can’t seem to figure out how to do it perfectly. Lysa says “imperfect changes are slow steps of progress wrapped in grace…imperfect progress.” Thank goodness for that! One of my favorite quotes is from Nike – “Just Do It!” It’s time I start following that!
The second lesson, how to not freak out, is just that, how to not freak out! What I struggle with is getting upset when things don’t go my way. I’m a planner and think I know what’s best, so when that goes awry watch out. I know some of my family and friends might be surprised by this as they rarely see me get upset, but the truth is, it comes out at home. Why do we leave it for the ones we love the most? My poor husband. He is the most calm, patient, and wise person I know. He has taught me A LOT about how NOT to freak out! I’m thankful my weakness is his strength! Again, isn’t God awesome in who he pairs us up with when we follow His plan? Lysa talks about changing our thought patterns in order to learn how to control our emotions.
First, she says we can be transformed by changing our thought patterns:
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Second, we accept or refuse those old thoughts:
2 Corinthians 10:5 – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I loved when she said, “I can’t control the things that happen to me each day, but I can control how I think about them.” This is so true, but so hard. First of all, worrying won’t help it. Ryan used to tell me, “nothing is going to change if you worry about it.” In turn I shouted said back, “Well duh, I can’t help worrying. It’s not like I want to worry…it just is.” Oh my gosh, was I wrong! I can very much control “freaking out” when it’s not in my control. Secondly, God works for the good of His people. I’m His people, so why should I freak out when it doesn’t go as planned…He’s working for the good of me!
So one week in, and I’m learning to change my thought pattern when things go wrong, from “oh my gosh, my life is totally ruined” to “Oh interesting…I guess God has a better plan!” It may be as simple as walking out of the room when something goes wrong, but that is progress…imperfect progress!
So here’s to super gluing my emotions together!
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