Yes to God Tuesdays (on Wednesday)

** Direct quotes from Lysa are in purple **

We’re clipping right along in our study of Lysa TerKeurst’s book What Happens When Women Walk In Faith. I know I’m a day late, but I think that’s okay for one week. So join me for Yes to God Tuesdays on Wednesday!

This week we are looking at chapters 8 and 9. Come along on the journey!

Chapter 8 – Refusing to Get Bogged Down in Bitterness

Lysa begins the chapter speaking about not getting bogged down in bitterness during the famine phase. She says “…things will be stripped from you that hinder the relationship He wants to have with you.” I don’t know about you but that’s a scary thought. We already don’t really know where God’s taking us exactly and now we can’t even have our little security blanket. Linus (from the Peanuts) would be appalled! Heck I’m appalled. But the good side of it is that God wants us to use Him as our security blanket. You can’t get more secure than the Creator and Sustainer of the universe!

Lysa tells the story of Joseph. If anyone had reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. He went through so much. He could have had the most foul-smelling attitude. However he did not. Even though God did not immediately pluck him from the situation, Joseph still remained faithful and true to trusting ad honoring God. As a result, God honored Him. I could sure learn a lesson here! The next quote really gave me reason to pause. It was something that had been on my own heart recently and to see it in the study confirmed that I need to be more diligent in this area. Lysa commented, “People are watching you. Even when you think they aren’t looking, they are. They want to see if your claims of faithfulness hold true even when life gets hard.” Hmmm. I don’t do to well with this one at work. That is my biggest area of challenge. God is truly prompting me to not cave in to bitterness and complaining there. He wants to be shown strong at work too. I’m not helping people see that. It’s a stressful place and some of the things I’m going through now are extremely hard to deal with. I know I complain too much. I show my bitterness way too often. So I have resolved and prayed for the Holy Spirit to be evident and working. That’s what God wants my co-workers and superiors to see.

Lysa gives some advice for when bitterness comes knocking at our door. “Don’t answer that knock. Don’t listen to the voice of bitterness. Don’t even crack the door to peek outside.” All I can say is AMEN!


Chapter 9 – A Most Unlikely Path

In Chapter 9 we move into discussion about phase three, the believing phase. Lysa tells us “God knows the best routes for us. He sees dangers and temptations that we don’t see along the way.” This is why it is important for us to just follow Him. We tend to argue when we know He’s right (and I am guilty as charged here). I especially liked when she gave a response to our “I don’t feel like doing that Lord” argument. She said “Feelings follow correct behaviors, not the other way around.” I need to remember this moment by moment. Do you?

She also said “Believing God is not for the weak at heart. It’s only for those who want to discover the rich blessings of walking close enough to God to hear the constant drumming of His heartbeat.” I plan to pray daily to not be weak at heart. I do want to discover God’s rich blessings. Sometimes I pray for Him to send me a neon sign because I want to make sure the whisper I heard was Him. But my desire is to be able to know His whisper and be sure that I understand what He means. As I continue to walk with Him in faith and say yes, I know this will happen. And I will be thrilled!

Start believing God today! Whatever situation you are in, believe in God’s plan. He’s always reliable because He is perfect. Amen!

Stop by Lelia's blog to see what others have to say about the study this week!