Welcome to our continued discussion on our Unglued Bible Study written by Lysa Terkeurst. In chapter 4, we learned about the different ways we come unglued: we either explode or stuff. Chapter 5 is all about Exploders!
Perhaps it is just me but I tend to come COMPLETELY UNGLUED with my family. As much as I love my girls and would take a bullet for them, those two can really push my buttons! The morning shuffle, homework, and picking up after themselves are our largest “mommy-comes-unglued” triggers.
When I say Mommy-comes-unglued. I don’t mean, mommy gets a little upset. I mean Mommy Goes Kray-Kray! Of course once I do that, I feel HORRIBLE and shame myself about being a bad mother.
Do ever explode and blame others and then later shame yourself?
I just love how Lysa describes emotions and relationships as being like nailing Jell-O to the wall–complicated and messy.
When things are complicated and messy it is hard to see God at work. When we get in an exploding mind frame, Lysa challenges us to get quiet so that we can see what God is doing and then do what HEwants us to do.
To further explain the getting “quiet” concept Lysa referred to the following scriptures:
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Humbling myself means that I may NOT need to respond right away. Ooooh, not responding right away is HARD and sometimes makes me feel like a wimp. But the Word promises that when we humble ourselves HE will lift us up in due time. Getting quiet doesn’t mean we don’t discuss our feelings, it just means that we talk to God about the unglued situation FIRST! (Ouch)
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
When we get quiet, we realize that the person or people who are getting on our nerves are NOT the enemy. Satan is our enemy.
1Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
And that Divas is our promise. God can use our conflicts for our good.
Getting quiet before we explode gives perspective, identifies the REAL enemy, and as Lysa put it “frees us from the pressure to make everything turn out rosy”. WOW!
Dear God,
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to learn about how to control my emotions YOUR way. Lord, stretch my mind and my feelings so I can embrace people who “dance on my happy” with grace. Remind me Oh Lord to get quiet and seek instructions from YOU BEFORE I explode. You never said this life would be without troubles. In fact, your Word says that WHEN troubles come they should be an opportunity for joy. Help me live out my God-created identity and be a light to the world.
What can you say or do to remember to get quiet BEFORE you react this week?
The Homework for next week is to read Chapter 6.
Looking for more discussion on this bible study? Head on over to Melissa Taylor’s Blog
I love how you included serveral bible verses from 1 Peter in your blog and put your feelings behind them. Awesome Blog
I like how you talked about people “trying to dance on your happy” what a cute way to explain that! Yes, I to struggle with exploding & like you find in a good, but with a punch reminder to stop, pause and talk to God first, before replying. I’m glad I found your blog!
Being quiet doesn’t mean not expressing ourselves, it means getting quiet with God first. OUCH!
Yeah, I think that comment slipped by me. Thanks for the reminder. And OUCH is right.
Blessings,
Catherine
OBS Group Leader