TELLING MY STORY - I CAME TO BELEIVE - COMFORT.GUIDE ....."I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners..." (Isaiah 57, NIV)

                              WORKSHEET

                             Telling My Story - I Came to Believe

A "WORKSHEET" is simply a way for you to look squarely at yourself and see where you are. Like a GPS system in your car or in your phone, you have to know where you're at, honestly, clearly and completely.

At the beginning of these worksheets, take time to pause and quiet yourself, breathing and relaxing as mentioned in the "HOW TO USE" tab. This is a great time for reflection as to how to care for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and insight as you work through this worksheet.

In the worksheets assigned for this week ("Telling My Story - Must and Should" and "Wounded Hearts Think Wounding Thoughts") we are looking at how, over time, we can begin to place far too many “Musts and Shoulds” in our life, placing burdens on ourselves that sooner or later become deep belief systems that are too heavy to bear. We can also develop a wounded perspective of God, ourselves and others through the wounds we experience as we interact in this world. When these wounded perspectives become strong and dominate our thoughts they will become an overall attitude of mind and a strong belief system in our hearts directing our emotions and choices.

Caroline Leaf in her research based book “Who Switched Off My Brain?” states “When talking about thinking, free will and understanding, we need to also consider the exciting contribution the heart makes to thinking and decision-making. Your heart is not just a pump; it helps with choices, acting like a checking station for all the emotions generated by the flow of chemicals from thoughts. Your heart is in constant communication with your brain and the rest of your body, checking for accuracy and integrity of your thought life. As you are about to make a decision, your heart pops in a quiet word of advice, well worth listening to, because when you listen to your heart, it secrets the ANF hormone that gives you a feeling of peace.” (p62)

Perhaps this is why the Lord says that we should NOT trust in our own thoughts or feelings because they may be based on the false beliefs we have accepted as true from living in this world. He invites us to be transformed as we allow Him to renew our minds.

As you become more aware of the difference between what you hope to and want to believe (God’s vision for you), as opposed to what you actually (your vision) believe as you observe your actions and reactions, do not allow yourself to “feel” ashamed. Although this dilemma is confusing, the apostle Paul wrote about this very experience in his own life: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7: 15). We experience the same dilemma as Paul as we live our everyday lives in our own flesh in this troubled world. This dilemma is often stated as, “I know this truth in my head but my heart does not feel or believe that truth”.

How do I move the truth of God’s love from my head to my heart, so that I can begin to think and act in a way that leads to freedom?   Paul concludes with the statement that Christ alone has set Him free from this cycle. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, revealing God’s heart and inspiring us with the truth we need to be aware of, agree with, and choose. Not only are our minds renewed but our hearts are imprinted with His love and truth and the Spirit of God empowers us to act on that truth. Consider this awesome Scripture:

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the.hands of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1 MSG)

As you consider which “musts and shoulds” and what emotions and thoughts attached to wounding experiences have become entrenched over time in your mind and heart, ask yourself how these beliefs impact your view of yourself, God, and relationships with others.

Journal your awareness in all these areas, including the Worksheets, as new insights are revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. Seek His Rewrite and begin to let the actual new truths He would give sink deeply into your heart, and watch how His Rewrite would change your everyday life. But before this step, you have to make sure what you have come to REALLY BELIEVE about yourself, God and others.

Steps for Heart Change…..

1. Bring the thoughts and beliefs that usually drive your everyday life into conscious awareness. Consider the harmful effect on an everyday basis.

2. Let these thoughts and beliefs be replaced by intentionally choosing to agree with God’s Truth and then stating that Truth. Pause long enough to allow a calming in your spirit, especially if you are deeply touched during this reflection time.

3. Consider and imagine (see yourself) responding in new ways to everyday life challenges. How would your life be changed by accepting this new truth about yourself, God and others? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you.

Click HERE to go to "Week Four Outline"

Click HERE to go to the next reading "Telling My Story - Must and Should"