My church is doing this series called "Empty Promises", it is all about shining light on the idols in your life, some you knew you had, and some you never thought were a problem, but I can tell you one thing, it has been WRECKING me and my friends here in Nashville. Pastor Pete has just been ruthlessly bringing messages about things in our life we have become consumed with, things that we have let tell us who we are, things who we have hoped would give us what ultimately only God can give us.
This last week Pete talked about being an "Approval Addict" and oh man, did I leave that service A MESS, as did most of the people in the room. My friend and community group leader Christina has been blogging about this journey we are all going on through this series. This last week our community group got real raw and real honest about how much approval controls our life. The next day Christina asked us if we were willing to let her share our stories on her blog. Today she shared mine. You can read it here.
But I'm warning you, it's not fun, it's not happy and it's real honest. But I really feel like it's important for us to talk about what we are going through, what we are struggling with, instead of hiding it away, letting it fester and acting like nothing is wrong. It helps to know you're all alone in it, that the people who are right beside you are most likely dealing with something really similar, and a lot times the people you "idolize" or are jealous of are dealing with it too. It's refreshing. So I hope my story can be encouraging, that it can maybe let one of you know you're not alone in this fight, but that is what it is a fight. We can't just say we have the problem and then keep living in it. We have to go into battle against it. So, here we go troops, get on the front lines and fight this, head on, and with hope!
1 comment:
This is heavy stuff. This is real stuff. This is "human" stuff. I think one of the biggest things to remember, as you have said, is that SO MANY people struggle with this stuff. It's part of Satan's lie, it's because we live in the shadow of "the fall", it's because we "see through a glass dimly" (I Corin. 13:12). We will fight our whole lives against this darkness and never really be able to completely see clearly until we see Him face to face. BUT fight is what we are to do. Battle every day to hear the Spirit over the din of the fallen world. Put on the armor of God every day -- remember every piece of it and which part of your life it protects. That's the best we can do. Armor up, walk in boldness and trust, fight to hear His truth, beg for His wisdom.....run the race with perseverance. It's not a cake walk. But I wouldn't want to live any other way.....
Remember -- you are lifted up in prayer every day, and intensely loved.
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