A Christian Oxymoron: When I...
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Yesterday we discussed the road less traveled. Today we will take another look at two roads. Which one do you think is less traveled? Which one best represents the road you are traveling? Think about why.
None of us want to feel inferior. We all want to belong and contribute—to feel good about ourselves. Keeping this goal in mind, think about this road:
- When my needs are not met, I feel . . . inferior.
- When I feel inferior, I get . . . discouraged.
- When I'm discouraged, I . . . misbehave.
- My misbehavior may cause me to . . . act aggressively in ways that hurt me or avoid doing what is good for me.
Do you identify with any of these feelings?
Consider this . . .
Now let's look at the other road.
- When I make truthful, healthy choices, I . . . behave.
- When I behave, I feel . . . encouraged.
- When I am encouraged, I experience . . . self-esteem.
- When I experience self-esteem, I also . . . belong and contribute.
For the rest of the week, we will look at scriptures that will help us follow this second road.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NLT
Prayer
Father, help me refocus on Jesus in every area of my life. Help me walk in truth and make right choices, choices that will help me belong and contribute. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from . . . Seeing Yourself in God's Image: Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia by Martha Homme, MA, LPC. Written by a counselor with experience helping those with eating disorders, this study is born from her own struggles in adolescence. The group challenges members to find their identity in Christ as they overcome this difficult struggle. This guide offers understanding of distorted body image, denial, and the family systems influence. It also explains how to break free of social pressures and how to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together. A companion booklet Seeing Your Loved One in God's Image, can be used as a quick reference guide dealing with issues associated with eating disorders. 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.
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
©Living Free 2020. 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