For The Joy (2)

Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  

- Psalm 147:3: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Observation

1. What is God revealing to you through these scriptures?

Discussion Questions:

2. How can unresolved hurt affect our freedom in Christ?

Unresolved hurt can really tie us down, keeping us from the full and free life Jesus wants for us. When I thought of unresolved hurt I thought of it as carrying a heavy backpack filled with rocks. And the rock represents a past hurt or a tough experience. And if we carrying the backpack it eventually gets heavy. That’s exactly what holding onto old hurts does—it weighs down your heart and makes it tough to move forward. When we hold onto these hurts, it’s like we’re building walls around our hearts. These walls might seem protective, but they also keep out a lot of good stuff like joy and peace. They can make us bitter, isolate us, and even keep us from connecting deeply with God. Jesus came to lift these burdens off our shoulders. He wants to set us free from them so we don’t have to drag them around anymore. The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Jesus wants us to live free from anything that holds us back, including the heavy weights of our past.

3. Why is it important to acknowledge pain? 

Acknowledging our pain is crucial because it is the first step toward healing; ignoring it only continues the pain and hinders our spiritual growth. For us men, sometimes there's a tendency to brush pain under the rug and tough it out. But ignoring our hurt doesn't make it disappear; it often buries it deeper, where it can fester and lead to bigger problems, like bitterness or even physical health issues. By acknowledging pain, we allow ourselves to face it head-on, which is the brave and healthy thing to do. recognizing our pain isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a step toward strength and healing. 

4. How can you tell if past wounds are still affecting your journey? 

You can tell if past wounds are still affecting your journey by noticing a few key signs in how you react and feel in your daily life: 1. Overreaction to Situations: If you find yourself reacting more strongly than expected to certain situations, it might be a sign that there's an unresolved issue from your past. For example, getting extremely upset over small disagreements or feeling overly hurt by minor criticisms can indicate deeper, unresolved feelings. 2. Avoidance Behaviors: Avoiding certain places, people, or experiences can be a sign that past hurts are influencing your current behavior. If you find yourself steering clear of scenarios that remind you of past pain or avoiding conversations about certain topics, it could be a sign that those wounds are still impacting you. 3. Persistent Negative Thoughts: If thoughts of a past event are still frequent and cause significant distress, this is a clear sign that the wound hasn’t fully healed. Dwelling on what happened, what could have been done differently, or how you were wronged can keep you stuck in the past. 4. Impact on Relationships: Past wounds can affect how you relate to others. If you find it hard to trust people, feel anxious about new relationships, or struggle with intimacy, these could be signs that past experiences are still having a negative impact. 5. Emotional Numbness: Sometimes, instead of feeling too much, we might not feel much at all. Shutting down emotionally or feeling disconnected from your own feelings and those of others can be a defense mechanism against unresolved pain. 6. Physical Symptoms: Emotional pain can manifest physically. Symptoms like chronic stress, tension headaches, fatigue, or other physical ailments without a clear medical cause can be linked to emotional distress from past hurts.

Application

5. In what ways can we begin to rely on God and surrender our pain and/or shame to Him?

Prayer: Start with honest prayer. Talk to God about your pain and shame just as you would in a conversation with a close friend. Admitting your struggles to God can lift the weight of carrying them alone. Scripture Reading: Delve into the Bible. Scriptures can offer comfort, guidance, and reminders of God’s promises to be with us in our pain and to offer restoration and forgiveness Worship: Engage in worship as a way to connect with God and remind yourself of His greatness and His love for you. Worship can shift your focus from your circumstances to God’s power and sovereignty. Community Support: Lean on your church community. Sharing your struggles with fellow believers can help you feel supported and less isolated. They can also pray for and with you, strengthening your faith journey. Reflect on God’s Nature: Remind yourself of God’s attributes—His love, mercy, forgiveness, and omnipotence. Trusting in these qualities of God can help you to surrender your pain and shame, knowing He cares for you and is capable of healing your deepest wounds.

6. How does inviting God to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24) help us move forward?

Revealing Hidden Issues: Asking God to search your heart can reveal hidden resentments, fears, or sins that you may not even be aware of. This awareness is the first step towards dealing with these issues. Cleansing and Renewal: Once these areas are revealed, it allows for confession, repentance, and ultimately, healing. God’s spirit can cleanse us from these burdens, renewing our minds and spirits. Alignment with God’s Will: This prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will, helping us to desire what He desires, which transforms our overall outlook and approach to life. Building Trust: It builds trust in God. Believing that He knows us completely and still loves us unconditionally can strengthen our faith and trust in His guidance.

7. What is the one thing that you will choose to throw off this week so you can run with perseverance?

This is a personal reflection and may vary for everyone, but consider a common burden such as worry or fear of failure. Decide to throw off this burden by actively trusting God with your future. Each time you find yourself worrying, replace those thoughts with prayers of trust and affirmations of God’s ability to handle your concerns.