Feeling Trapped by your Feelings

I used to live my life by my feelings. It is really easy to fall back into this, actually. We naturally want to feel "good," but can easily be overtaken by strong feelings that stick around for a while affecting our relationships, work, sleep, and general health.
It is God's desire for us to have peace and joy, but it is completely normal and biblical  to feel angry, sad, afraid, etc. The key is to ask God to help you move from a place of anger, fear, depression, etc to peace.
What I did for most of my life is I went by how I felt and when I felt a strong emotion I often stayed there for days. 
In Ephesians 4:26 it says, "...Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." I always thought of this verse as a guide for couples to not go to bed until an issue was settled. However, I believe it could also mean do not perseverate on a strong emotion like anger. 
For me it was often sadness or fatigue I would get stuck in for weeks at a time. It is not sinful to be in this state, but God wants us free. He also has big plans of how to use us and cannot get those plans moving if we are stuck in a strong emotional time. 

What can you do if you find yourself in a season where you are often angry, sad, or anxious? 
1. Remind yourself it is okay to feel strong emotions temporarily, but God does not want us to live in these feelings, being stuck or restricted because of them.
2. Begin by remembering and agreeing with who God says you are. Click here if you do not know who God says you are 
3. Remind yourself that God is not disappointed in you. In fact, He has never had a bad thought about you.
4. Get rid of all shame and condemnation
5. Be still before God and ask Him, "What do you think about me?" (Click on link if you feel you do not hear God).
6. Write out what you hear or see. Ask God to tell you more about each item or vision. 
7. Read frequently and believe these truths God has told you. Internalize them. Believe them. Know them by heart. This is really more important than anything. This will power you to move forward exponentially and step into who God created you to be.
                                                        
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

Who Does God Say I Am?

Feeling insecure? Unsure of who you are? Unsteady on your feet? Begin by reading and AGREEING with the following verses from the Bible.
How do you do this? Read aloud the verse, paraphrase, and personalize it. For instance, in Song of Solomon 4:17 say, "I am altogether beautiful. God loves me and He finds no fault in me." Then say, "I agree with this."  Your words and agreement are powerful. God wants you to really understand how deeply He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
Still having trouble believing these truths about yourself? Try personalizing your favorite ones and copying them onto a paper that you read daily. By pouring truth into yourself you will begin to agree.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.Psalm 139:14

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:6-8

Will You Share Your Treasure of Block it Off?

This morning I woke up and asked God what He wanted to tell me. I had the following vision:

I see a bird flying over a cave/cavern. Inside the cave is a treasure. Deep inside the cave is an even more beautiful treasure.

I asked God what this vision meant:
The bird is the Lord. The cave is me and the treasure is what is inside of me.

Further interpretation from God:
Each of us are a cave. We have within our spirit beautiful gifts God wants us to share with others. There are parts of ourselves that are deep within which are especially lovely and highly coveted. We have a choice, we can block off our cave so that none can enter (through defensiveness, hiding from others, sarcasm, and other self-preserving strategies) or we can be vulnerable and step into what God has destined us for, thereby, being able to share with many the beautiful parts of ourselves to make a global impact for God.

Which will you choose?

Desires of the Heart - Put There For a Reason

Perhaps in the past you have been chastised for having what seems to be an unrealistic dream for your life. As life goes on, you get a job and forget those deep longings of the heart because you must be responsible or "grow up."
But what if the desires of your heart were put there by God? What if He designed you to be doing what you dreamed of?
Perhaps in the world's eyes you might seem crazy to spend time day dreaming, but God has been waiting on the sidelines for you to start looking beyond the possible into the seemingly impossible.
Why not spend 10 or 15 minutes thinking about what you really love doing? What really makes your heart beat a little faster? Look at things you consider hobbies or free time activities. Or think about the things you did when you were a kid. What makes you feel true joy?
Now take these things and just dream. What would your life look like if you could do this full time? Perhaps as part of a ministry for God?
There are no rules here. You are just imagining. What would it look like? Where would you be? What would your days be like? Where would you live? Who would be with you?
Why not go on the adventure of life with God and imagine. Think about it. God put those desires of your heart inside you for a reason!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

                        (Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302)302

Your Passions - One Key to Your True Destiny

I have always felt that God puts desires into our heart that He intends on fulfilling.

I am now learning that even interests/hobbies could play a vital role in what God has planned for me.

So, here is my question to you? What are you passionate about? What gets your heart beating faster? If you have free time, what do you choose to do with it?

Make a list of these items. Even if they seem trivial or are "just a hobby."

Now, go to God with your list. Ask Him for revelation.

Isn't it just great we do not have to go through life just barely surviving and crossing off each day as it goes by. This was never God's intention for your life. No, He has a purpose that He designed you specifically for.

When you find this direction and choose to walk in this, then you will be doing something you are really passionate about.

So, if you feel stuck, just begin to think about your passions and see what God has for you to get excited about.

Not MY Shame - just shame!

When was the last time you felt shame or ashamed of yourself?
When you were little? A month ago? Yesterday? An hour ago?

When you feel shame you need to stop it immediately.

SHAME IS NEVER FROM GOD!

I have found that I personalize shame. It is my shame. I deserved it. I felt it. But, actually, freedom comes from not owning it - not personalizing it. Remember, God is not angry with you or wanting you to feel shame. He isn't focused on it -- why should you be? Recognize it for what it is - it is not YOUR shame, it is just shame. Therefore, it is time to kick that ugly feeling/thought out:

Stop and ask God, "What do you want me to know about this shame I am feeling? What is the root cause?" Go through the steps outlined here.  Obliterate that shame!

There is a difference between feeling shame (not from God) and righteous guilt (a reminder of a sin we need to confess). If you can't tell which you are feeling, just take a moment and ask God.

Righteous guilt can actually be helpful. If you are feeling guilty about something you did and it was really wrong, then do not condemn yourself - simply ask for forgiveness, make amends if needed, and then ask God to help you make a better choice next time for a different outcome.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 (Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302)302

Getting to No: How to Break a Stubborn Habbit, Lutzer, Erwin W., 2007

Negative Words - True or a Lie?

How often does a negative, condemning thought float through your head? "Oh I shouldn't have done that. That was terrible!" or "I failed again. I can't believe it."
We have talked quite a bit about who you are in God and choosing to agree with that. But, what if you did make a mistake or you really think whatever you are hearing that is negative is really true?
Take 5 minutes and ask God, "God this is what I was just thinking. (insert your negative thought here) Is this true? What do you have to say about it?" Then write down (if possible) what is said and BELIEVE it. Choose to agree with whatever God says. Remember He has never had a bad thought about you. 
What about that mistake you made? We have discussed that you should no longer be looking at any decision from a pass/fail mentality, but looking at and grading outcomes. But, if you really feel stuck, like you know you did make a mistake - what then? Simply ask God, "Was this truly a mistake?" and "What do you want me to learn or know from this?"Again, choose to agree with whatever God tells you. Walk in freedom, my friend! Condemnation is not a part of God's world and He certainly wants you to be totally free from it!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302302