Feelings: Tearing Down the Walls - Living Free - August 30
FEELINGS: TEARING DOWN THE WALLS
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Thoughts for Today
Have you ever tried to hold an inflated toy under water? That can be hard work! And yet, we often work even harder to keep our true feelings out of view. We build walls around our real selves and around any problems we may be struggling with.
The self-constructed walls cause us to isolate ourselves from other people and even from God. They cause us to hide from the truth about a problem that has a hold on us. These walls we build are called defenses. Defenses can take many forms: rationalization, humor, blaming, denying. We might say things like "What I did isn't so bad" or "You don't understand the pressure I'm under." Sound familiar? We've all used defenses like these to cover the truth.
When we are hiding behind the defenses, we are attempting to hide the truth about ourselves and our situation—from God, from other people, and even from ourselves. We are also blinding ourselves from the truth of God's Word. And yet our only answer is in the truth—because the truth will set us free.
Consider this …
Have you built walls around yourself? Walls that you hoped would defend you. Walls that in reality are blocking the road to freedom. It is important to recognize those walls and begin to tear them down. But remember, you can't tear them down all at once. Building them was a process, and so is tearing them down. It's done by being honest with God, with yourself and with others. It's done by learning to trust the truth of the Bible more than your feelings.
Prayer
Father, I realize I've been trying to hide the truth by building walls around myself. I've rationalized. I've pointed the finger at others. I've denied. But the truth is that I need your help. Help me to be honest with you, with others … and with myself. Help me to depend on the truth of your Word more than on my feelings. Help me to tear down the walls.
In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Insight Group: Discover the Path to Christian Character by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. With its emphasis on developing Christian character it is a powerful group for those who want to be sure to prevent life-controlling problems from developing in their lives, as well as for those who need to overcome a current problem.
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It enhances people's understanding of themselves and others.
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It helps people bond together in meaningful relationships.
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It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups like home groups and Sunday school classes.
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It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.
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It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning "those people" and "our kind of people" into just "us."
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It helps prepare people to minister to others.
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It serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by ministering to people's felt needs and then pointing them to Christ.
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
