Dare to be FREE
1. What in your life is enslaving you?
I really have to think hard about this one. I don't have an obvious sinful vice in my life right now - thank you Jesus. I had to ask myself: What am I allowing to steal my joy and what behavior patterns can I trace back to figure it out? What are some things I've been wanting to change?
I have really been working on how I talk to my kids. Over the weekend, at the BLOOM conference, I realized how I need to take responsibility for my reactions to their behavior. No matter how irritating they are (and I need to ask myself why am I really so irritated as well), I am to show them the love of God. In the midst of their mistakes I am to love them like our Heavenly Father. I have to be a teacher, like Jesus, not an executioner of continuous punishment. How has my personality been guiding their behavior down the wrong paths?
To sum it up, my lack of grace has been enslaving me. My pride - constantly criticizing, pointing out mistakes, snapping when disrespected - is only making them act out more. My fear has been enslaving me; if I don't correct right now in this moment they will grow up to ______. (Not a truth, but a fear.) And if they do grow up to ______, are they not still in God's hands? They have their own journey predestined by God that I have no control over. Do I trust him with these lives? Truthfully, not fully, so instead of enjoying my kids, I'm like a stressed out manager who feels resentment towards a job that is supposed to be a blessing.
2. What actions today can you take to begin to break down those strongholds?
I am slowing down; trying not to react mindlessly. Not allowing anger to dictate my words, but take better advantage of teaching moments. I am spending more time filling my head and heart with the Word, Jesus music, other books that infuse wisdom into my stage of life, praying for my kids throughout the day. It's a slow process to unlearn reactive behavior. To stop justifying it by blaming their behavior.
3. What are you afraid you'll lose by letting go of your habits? Write them down, share them with God and then observe on paper how, over time, God fulfills those needs.
I guess I'm afraid I'll lose control that I actually never had. I don't control their behavior - but I can guide their hearts to Jesus. I don't control their futures - but I can teach them how to seek wisdom for their future decisions. Really, I'll only gain freedom by letting go of all these things.
1. What in your life is enslaving you?
I really have to think hard about this one. I don't have an obvious sinful vice in my life right now - thank you Jesus. I had to ask myself: What am I allowing to steal my joy and what behavior patterns can I trace back to figure it out? What are some things I've been wanting to change?
I have really been working on how I talk to my kids. Over the weekend, at the BLOOM conference, I realized how I need to take responsibility for my reactions to their behavior. No matter how irritating they are (and I need to ask myself why am I really so irritated as well), I am to show them the love of God. In the midst of their mistakes I am to love them like our Heavenly Father. I have to be a teacher, like Jesus, not an executioner of continuous punishment. How has my personality been guiding their behavior down the wrong paths?
To sum it up, my lack of grace has been enslaving me. My pride - constantly criticizing, pointing out mistakes, snapping when disrespected - is only making them act out more. My fear has been enslaving me; if I don't correct right now in this moment they will grow up to ______. (Not a truth, but a fear.) And if they do grow up to ______, are they not still in God's hands? They have their own journey predestined by God that I have no control over. Do I trust him with these lives? Truthfully, not fully, so instead of enjoying my kids, I'm like a stressed out manager who feels resentment towards a job that is supposed to be a blessing.
2. What actions today can you take to begin to break down those strongholds?
I am slowing down; trying not to react mindlessly. Not allowing anger to dictate my words, but take better advantage of teaching moments. I am spending more time filling my head and heart with the Word, Jesus music, other books that infuse wisdom into my stage of life, praying for my kids throughout the day. It's a slow process to unlearn reactive behavior. To stop justifying it by blaming their behavior.
3. What are you afraid you'll lose by letting go of your habits? Write them down, share them with God and then observe on paper how, over time, God fulfills those needs.
I guess I'm afraid I'll lose control that I actually never had. I don't control their behavior - but I can guide their hearts to Jesus. I don't control their futures - but I can teach them how to seek wisdom for their future decisions. Really, I'll only gain freedom by letting go of all these things.
Comments
Post a Comment