A Broken Heart Becomes a Beautiful Life

1. How would you rate your patience?
Closer to patient than not.

2. What is the byproduct of waiting on the Lord?
He gives us strength and increases our power.

3. In what area of my life do I need strength? What is God saying to you through this passage?
I need strength to endure right now. I'm feeling very tired and weary all the time, particularly when I think about job searching.

4. What dream has God planted deep inside you? What prevents you from realizing that dream?
Having a family and kids. A youth center (i.e. ministry to kids after school). Circumstances, money!

5. How would you have felt if you had been in Anna's situation?
Tired, weary of waiting. Nervous about "missing" it.

6. This stinks. I expected to be married with four kids. I expected to have financial security, a teaching job/counseling job, and to be in a church where I love to minister. All the rules seem to be changing. I feel very frustrated!

What do you expect God to about this situation?
Nothing.

7. Based on what Anna did, what should you do in response to your situation?
What God says to do moment by moment, day by day.

8. How do you know you are valuable to God? How does this make you feel?
^"22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

²⁷"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." - from Luke 12

This passage reminds me that God's got this, and it helps me feel peace!

9. Anna prayed the Messiah would come. What are you praying for and what do you expect to happen when that prayer is answered?

Church bells to ring, angels to sing, money to cling :-)

10. For what are you watching? How do you expect God to overwhelm your life?
I'm watching for a job. I feel like God is going to do something awesome this time around. It makes me excited to see what God is going to do.

11. What is the role of your ongoing relationship with God in regards to your personal and spiritual experience?
I feel like it's essential to having a positive outlook on anything that is happening in my life right now!

12. How do you discern God's guidance from your feeling or the advice of others?
Very carefully! I feel like I have gotten a lot of confirmation from His Word, but I also feel like God's voice has become more "familiar" to me.

13. Because God said those who hope in him will renew their strength, I will hope in Him.

The Hunger to Belong

1. Describe a situation where your words have been similar to the words in Job 22:9-10.
Over Christmas when I was in the middle of the situation with Dad where I felt like he was tying my hands and slandering me to others.

2. Why is it so important to be transparent with other people?
I'm not entirely sure, actually, what this verse has to do with being transparent. It illustrates the slavery that we subject ourselves to when we do not confess sin to others?

3. God knows everything about us, so why is it important that we be transparent before Him?
Because we need to be honest with ourselves! In order to process our sin and decisions, we need to acknowledge them before God.

4. Consider the following questions and respond to several:
-What am I afraid people might find out about me? That I'm human!!
-Why do I assume that if I let people in they would be disappointed and leave? Because it's too much to handle.

5. Paul said bear one another's burdens. List some people who need you to bear their burdens and list some people who have helped carry your burdens. Select one or more people on this list and write personal notes of encouragement.
- Elaine, Jen, Mom, Dad, my sisters, David and fam, Donna, Angie, Courtney.

6. Why do you think this life is not the life God wants for you?
^"31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

³³They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

³⁴Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." -from John 8

^"16Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹Do not put out the Spirit's fire; ²⁰do not treat prophecies with contempt. ²¹Test everything. Hold on to the good. ²²Avoid every kind of evil." - from I Thess. 5

7. What comes to mind when you think about belonging? Be honest about your feelings.

I feel like it's hard to imagine belonging, truly. It seems like nobody can ever really understand me, so it's hard to imagine feeling like I really "fit" anywhere.

8. Describe a time when you have been overwhelmed by feelings out of proportion to what is happening around you. How did that experience make you feel?

Where the Wild Things Are. Weird, sad, out of control.

9. What do you think God is trying to say to you through this experience?

To learn how to lean on him a little more. To understand that I am experiencing these feelings so I can process them (with Him).

10. Jesus issues an invitation to anyone who has finally come to the place where she is tired of pretending everything is fine. Is this an offer you are willing to accept? Why or why not?

I feel like I have with counseling stuff. I'm not sure how else to answer this question! It's hard to imagine what this would look like for all areas of my life...

11. God knows everything about me and loves me. What is keeping me from trusting him with my past and following Him?

I don't know.

12. Describe a spiritual breakthrough you would like to experience right now.

Contentment.

13. Because Jesus said holding to his teaching will identify me as his disciple, I will hold to his teaching and trust his faithfulness.

An Open Door

1. What does Isaiah 43:18-19 say to you about God's ability to heal your brokenness?
I am really reminded that God is not limited by what has gone on in the past. I do not trust that my life will go differently in the future than it has in the past, and this is not a promise from him; just my own fears speaking.

2. How does Luke 4:18-21 speak to my life?
It reminds me of Jesus' ministry in my life. There is no set of circumstances He did not come to help me in.

3. Describe a time when you started over. How did that experience make you feel? What were the positive emotions you dealt with? What were the negative emotions you faced?
Going to Holt Baptist. I was nervous, excited, and ready for a change!

4. Experience where I felt I had no idea what to do:
Many times when I am working with the youth in teaching. Also, when I was working with a student who was suicidal.

5. What is the difference between being broken and brokenness?
My life being broken might not impact my spiritual life. Brokenness means God is doing something.

6. How can you find hope in the midst of your brokenness? How do you feel about yourself when you are broken before God? How does he feel about you?
My hope is in God's faithfulness. I usually feel guilty, in great need to "fix" myself, and overwhelmed. God loves me.

7. Scripture passages that have been encouraging to you:
Isaiah 43:1-3 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

Isaiah 30:20-21 "Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

8. What does Shelia's letter say to you?
Right now, I really long for a letter like this! It's easy to forget that God has led me here and He will continue to lead me! I am reminded of how God is in the midst of ALL things and He longs for His kids to follow Him and His leading!

9. When I started the MA program, I really was concerned that this was not "going to work." I really feel like He is telling me to just follow Him right now.

10. What encouragement can you give someone who is struggling with the consequences of previous bad choices?
2 Peter 1:3. Other Scriptures that show God's love and compassion.

11. How can I better follow God in the days ahead?
Listen! Listen! Listen!!!

12. Because Jesus said He came to proclaim freedom for the captives, I will trust Him that my next steps will be only be a trial if I make them so!

Why Am I So Afraid?

Week 1
1. What does this verse say to you about courage?
That it's not about me... it's about God and what He's doing. He is wanting us to see the light and live there.

2. Why did Joshua need courage?
Because Moses had died, Joshua was leading, and it was time for Israel to take their land: they had a lot of obstacles to overcome!

3. How many times is he told to be courageous? Why do you think he was given this instruction repeatedly?
3 times. To emphasize it's importance!

4. Gina, I know that you have a lot of uncertainty right now in your life. You have just accomplished something amazing and you are not sure where I am leading. Don't be afraid! I've got your future in the palm of my hand. Stay focused on my promises, my commands, my truth, and live your life the way I have showed you to live it. I will make the way clear before you! I will make the places where you set your feet yours and nobody will be able to stand against you because you are where I want you to be.

5. Describe a time when you demonstrated great courage or needed more courage.
When I went into my internship. I was really nervous about doing this whole "internship" thing again. God rewarded it!!

6. "Jesus didn't come to get you out of the pain of life; he has come to live in you through it." How have you found this to be true?
God's not made the circumstances necessarily easier in the past few years, but he has certainly showed me how he wants to be faithful to me as I live through them. My testimony about God is better.

7. You might have gone through some difficult times in your life. List some of the feelings you have.
-Fear, lack of control, worry, anger, peace, joy, amazement, awareness, insight, comfort.

8. Describe the role of your faith in facing your struggles. How would you describe your courage?
My faith is totally essential in every way, every day! Without a sense of the purposes of God, it becomes discouraging, depressing, and overwhelming. My courage is greater when my faith is greater.

9. What is one situation you face right now that causes your heart to race and your emotions to spin out of control?
-Thinking about taking a job in Michigan.

10. What do you believe God wants you to do in response to the situation above?
- Trust him in faith. Believe He has made the way before me!

11. How can God work through your friends, family members, and church to encourage you and support you as you deal with this situation?
?

12. What do you need to change in your life so you can be more focused on God and less focused on the situation you are facing?
Not mentally avoid it, but pray it through each and every time I think about it.

13. Because God said he knows the plans he has for me, I will not be afraid.

Lord,
You know what I want (or don't want), but more than that, I want what you want for me. Help my desires to be less when compared to your plan for me life! Help me to desire more and more of you every day!!

6.