Are You Sticking to Your Story?

I am humbled and blown away that I have been chosen by the Lord to walk with people during difficult seasons in their lives.  I am so unworthy.  I know that I am full of flaws and can in no way sit in a seat of wise counsel without the inexplicable grace of my Savior.

I listen to many stories and am in complete awe of how much grace is given to each of us. 

Over the years, I have learned that there is a story in us all.  There are stories of generational sins, abuse, broken homes and abandonment.  Many of these stories are of unspoken experiences that linger in the crevices of our minds.  Unfortunately some are stored only in the simulated safety of secrets.  Unbelievable experiences that fester and are transformed into behaviors that destroy marriages, hurt children, nurture depression and perpetuate cycles that never end.

What's your story?

Yes.  All of us have a story of how we have become who we are and why we have made the decisions we have made. Actually, I think at times we prefer these stories.  They nurse the victim in some or they feed the ego in others.  We like the feeling of how they embrace us and we relax in the comfort of their familiar voice. 

Of course we have episodes of happiness, success, deliverance and freedom.  We love them. We keep them. We nurture these as well. However, in times of stress and hardship due to the unpredictability of life, they are consumed and replaced with the repetitive play of our narratives that feed our feelings of helplessness, defeat, fear and discouragement.

What role in life have you taken as a result of your story? What role do you fight for and defend? How has this role influenced your life and relationships? 

I ask because I don’t think we realize that we are so entrenched by them that when we hear the truth of God’s word, we reject the freedom it offers.   We sing about deliverance in the safety of a jail cell with the door wide open!

But God!

The outcome of our stories was changed because of the outcome of the CROSS! 

Jesus lives and He has interrupted our story with a new role:

Free.

Redeemed. 

Conqueror. 

Blessed. 

Holy. 

Beloved. 

Friend.

Beautiful. 

Courageous.

Equipped.

HIS.

Let's take it! It completely changes our story!

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you FREE! John 8:32

Blessings!

copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved

Fact, Fiction, and Feelings!

We have something to talk about.

I mean we are in desperate need to get something straight!

Being a counselor, I have the privilege of serving people.  I am humbled by this opportunity to walk with others during difficult seasons and am in awe of God's grace and love for us. I mention that because I have been serving in this capacity for 13 years and have served many people from many walks of life. I've heard many things and have seen many faces.

I have one question. 

What is going on?

We've been hoodwinked!  Bamboozled! Lied to! Deceived!

How?  Our Feelings or Emotions!

I wonder what you are feeling right now. At this moment. What are they saying to you?

Me?

I'm feeling bored, therefore, I'm hungry. Seriously.  I love food and I love to eat.  Sorry Oprah and Dr. Phil! I am an emotional eater. Food makes me happy.  Because of this, I get up at 4:30 in the morning to exercise. (There's always a price isn't it?!)

I'm asking about your feelings because we are being led by them. We are making life decisions on them. We are raising our kids with them. We are choosing our mates with them. We are choosing our wardrobes with them! YIKES!

And because of this we are CONFUSED! Why? Because feelings change.

Wait. Clarity: Emotions are not wrong. They are important, created by God, and should be used wisely. However, they have no intellect. All they do is react. They will react to a lie like they react to the truth. They react to things that are not real in the same manner as though it is reality. They are the response not the thought!  They must always be second. Not first!

Proverbs 28:26  "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." 

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?"

When we react in emotions, we often end up saying or doing things in error and then we regret. Our feelings get stirred up and drown out God's voice and His insight.  As a result, we make commitments we shouldn't make. We quit things in which God wants us to remain involved. We are confused about our destiny and purpose. We say things that damage people and relationships.  We have emotional experiences, make decisions, and live with the life long consequences. Daily. (Can I get a witness?!)

So what now? What do we do? How do we filter our emotions?

Our feelings are based on our beliefs. What do you believe? What is your source of truth. It CANNOT be you! It must be the Word of God!

What does God's word say about it? Yes I will always go back to Him and His word. That's all I have! I can't give you my thoughts. I have issues too! I laugh, cry, want to be alone, and with everybody in 30 minute increments 1 or 2 weeks of every month!  (Forties!)

Psalm 119: 105 "You word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

I want to encourage you (and me) to stop submitting to your emotions. Stop depending and placing more value on how you feel rather than the Word of God. Make His word priority over your feelings. Believe what the Bible says! It is real. It is truth. It is relevant.


Blessings!




copyright 2014 www.shundriariddick.com All rights reserved.