Last night was a sleepless night for me triggered by an emotional day yesterday. Life felt “too.” Too serious, too overwhelming, with too many prayer requests, too much to do, too many concerns. My heart was focused on problems and challenges, heart aches and people in pain. And, though I prayed and processed my pain, I obviously wasn’t done since part of the night was dedicated to more honest prayer and wrestling with my Heavenly Father.Knowing how I feel and why I am emotional is important. But, more important—I need to know God’s truth about Himself and me when I’m faced with life out of control. In this chapter, Ravi asks, “How may we blend knowledge of the truth with a proportionate feeling so that we will lead our emotions rather than being guided by them?”
I’ve already read this chapter two times and it is highlighted in multiple places with two brilliant colors. So much of it confronted my emotional lifestyle. Ravi isn’t just dealing with emotions in this chapter—he is teaching about our emotional response to God when we don’t feel His presence, when we don’t feel connected to our faith, when our Christian life isn’t making sense. He says, “And if our feelings regarding our physical well-being are so important to reckon with, how much more important it is that those same feelings be informed when struggling with the nearness or remoteness of God. Feelings on such a matter become life-defining. The imperative is obvious. We must know what is real so that we might base our feelings on what is true."
As you read, notice what Ravi says we need to understand about the emotional baggage we bring into our relationship with God. Do you recognize anything you carried into your relationship with Him?
Notice, too, the languages we should be cultivating to have healthy emotional processes with God. Are you strong in any of those languages—are any of them growth areas for you?Ravi’s conclusion in this chapter probably spoke the strongest to me. How do you respond to his challenge? I’ll be posting my response with you. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Again, I ask you to contribute—our book club will be great if each of us shares our thoughts.
11 comments:
I just sat down at the compupter today prepared to discuss and post about Chapter One... and just realized that you are already discussing Chapter two!! ...so, I am a bit behind. I will read as fast as possible and get back toward the end of the week to engage.
Hi! I'm in Jakarta, on our way to Tarakan(Kalimantan Indonesia) today. My husband and I are speaking at the MAF annual family conference and doing some marriage retreat work as well. Very fun for us. But, I wanted to remind you to post your comments about chapter 1 before moving into chapter, 2. We really do want to share what we're learning...So, Please? Thanks!
I had a rough start in Chapter 1, to be honest... slow going in the first few pages for me. ...but then it picked up for me when he beautifully tied all the "theology of God" (the holiness, the sovereignty, etc) into the Father-ness of God. That was a turning point for me as I read. Pg. 24, he writes, "jsut as in the darkest nights of the soul the brightest light can shine, so also there is afearful symmetry in juxtaposing "Holy" and "Father". I loved this... What it means when righteousness and peace kiss (psalm 85) or "ONE thing God has spoken, TWO things I have heard, that you are strong and loving" (ps. 62). I was moved by this reminder that WHO God matters deeply... but it matters also, who He is in relationship to me... Father.
I also loved his idea of "sacred memory" and the importance of remembering what God has done-- for this upholds both the WHO God is and who He is to me (Father!).
Lastly, I was absolutely floored by his picture of God not being a candle but a bird...the continued movement of the song. I love this! His "light" does seem to go out or be absent from some places--- but it is so good to remember that He is never extinguished. He is always singing... and will always sing His song. Loved this...
Okay, now to read from Chapter 2! :)
Stephanie,
Thanks for your insights. I too was impacted by the reminder of God's constant, never-ending, and never-changing presence and work around the globe. What a great reminder that His Light has been shining forth since the beginning of time.
I'm with you diving into chapter two now!
I liked Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:6, I find that when I'm going through a hard time waiting on God that I use the same pattern in my praying.He starts in verse 6 by acknowledging who God is,the God who rules over all the kingdoms. I often just say You are almighty God and I am not. Simple logic but profound, it always puts who I really am in perspective. The second thing I see in verses 7-8 is he reminds God and himself what God has already done. When I take the time to do this my focus gets off of my request to the many blessings God has already done, it always helps my perspective and makes me joyful instead of despairing.Finally in verses 9-12,he asks God to deliver, reminding God that he believes God will hear them and deliver if they ask. When I ask God for deliverance in my situation, and remind Him I believe He is the God of the impossible, it always helps my perspective. This pattern of praying gives me peace in the midst of difficulties.
I love this book...on to chp. 2.
Today was an emotional one for me so this chapter was just what the doctor ordered. When I read "Whether it is in our studies or in our habits, we seem to always find the line of least resisitance adn then blame God when we fail in our commitment to come to him on our terms." The questions that I asked myself were: Am I hearing from God's word daily? Do I place God's word as more important than my feelings? and Is my life being transformed by the word of God? So I would say I need to work on the language of God. Looking back on my week, those days I was in the word were the days that I had the best perspective in the midst of the emotions.
As I adjust to living in a new place, I am challenged even more to take my emotions to the cross and entrust them to God. I am also praying that I can become the unique personality that God has given me to be. Living in a culture that is so different from the one I grew up in especially for women is harder than I thought it would be. I am thankful for the friends God has sent my way, his promises and music that speaks to my soul. Remembering that each day I need to take the next step of obedience. I loved the example of Meshach, Shadrach and Obednego.
Hopefully I can read chapter 3 in the next few days and be caught up with the group.
Everyone, your comments are great! Thank you for interacting on this blog! Isn't it fun to read how God is using this book in others' lives even as He is using it in our own?
Happy reading!
Well I'm still terribly behind schedule and I just finished chapter two.
What hit me was the vast difference between our faith and our emotions. Faith should always be based on facts and our emotions can so easily lose sight of that.
I loved the example of how Peter got caught up in the emotions of the transfiguration. But that didn't stop him from being one of the great founders of the church.
Sometimes my emotions take over so quickly that I don't really take time to stop and think about them. I think that I have got to make a commitment to really identify what I am feeling and why I am feeling it. And then like Ravi's luggage analogy, check those emotions in and turn them over to God.
TJ, I so appreciated what you had to share about the adjustments to a new culture. I'm there with you!
I am really enjoying this book. I have never before heard or read such a thorough, honest, contemplative explanation of emotion and how to handle them as disciples of Christ.
I enjoyed reading about the language of obedience. He writes: "The remedy was not to do God's will because they felt like doing it, but just to do it and their faith would be strengthened." I can relate to this.
We are now in our 4th year of living in Haiti. The past 3 years have been more challenging than I imagined it would be. And yet, my husband and I know without a doubt that we are right where God wants us to be. His provision and faithfulness are continual proof to us that despite the hardship we face, we are in His will. (TJ, I can totally relate!) Honestly, some days are just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other, and obeying despite doubts, challenges and a selfish desire to go home to an "easier life."
I also loved what he said about dying to self: "But this is where the lie comes in--believing that we can be close to the Father without dying to ourselves. In Christ's own ministry this was impossible."
Well... I have some catching up to do, so will keep this short! On to chapter 3!
Well, I am really behind but trying to catch up. I enjoyed the open and direct approach that was taken in speaking about our emotions. It is so easy to let them rule us instead of the truth.
I also found the part about obedience to be very helpful. I have found that I often don't feel like what the Lord asks is a good idea - But, when I obey I find that my faith is strengthened for the next challenge.
I could really relate to what was said about the language of the church. When I went through a particularly rough time of depression and apathy I found that it was really hard to "feel" connected to God. When I found a hymn book I started singing some of them. That really helped to draw me out of myself and back into an attitude of worship. I didn't come out of depression immediately, but the hymns of the church that I had grown up with really helped a lot!
Okay, on to Chapter 3.
Post a Comment