ADDICTIONS or TRIALS

Addiction or Trial

Our Focus on Failure Determines Our Perspective - How we live determines whom we reflect. The choice is ours. To reflect Jesus lets explore more about Jesus as our shepherd. Jn.10 helps us in knowing the Shepherd. We learn He protects and know His voice that is truth and love. Jesus promises the abundant life in Him and He protects us by setting up boundaries. The Narrow Road Mt. 7:13-14 suggest those boundaries. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' Mt. says only a few find their way to Jesus and that is sad. However, after we find our way to Jesus he does not just offer us destruction or failure. He has a better plan

Addiction or Trials - In the same way, as shame repeats, so does our life's situations often continue over and over. How long is what we often think and is a common complaining attitude. In anger, I called out to the Lord, "How Long?' I want an answer fast or now. How long is often determined by my attitude or focus. Therefore, time is not the issue. Two perspectives: Powerlessness is occurring as I live my way. However, remaining in powerlessness rather than faith leads to unresolved issues which have. Our responsibility is to choose and seek Him for the better fruit rather than stay bitter in powerlessness. Psychology's perspective calls these issues an addiction. God's Word perspective calls them a trial to reveal the sinful nature. However, they have a common resolution - to let go is the key to freedom. No matter the issue all issues are similar and personal.

Addiction - Psychology lets go in the end - with the small 'g', god' and not the God Jehovah we know the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit. Man deals with these issue as an addiction with a 12 step program contain 3 major steps - I can't do it ---->god can do it, the god with the small 'g',------> I think I will let him. Trial - God has the best way: God's Word says to lets go in the beginning by faith in Jesus. During these times we feel like we are alone and wandering. However, this is a common ordeal. 'God 's grace is sufficient!' Heb. 12: 1-11- Redefines addiction - to God's discipline against the sinful nature, trial. Therefore, we need to grow through a trial to defeat the sin nature. Trials are like a warning light of failures that need to be endured, analyzed, and repaired/changed. Trials demand pain reduction that is why I reviewed shame and guilt which usually blocks the resolution. Also, the Devils most common deceptions blocks are extremes and the familiar of wandering in the Wilderness. Either block the realization of the truth. One extreme, I am Christian and comfortable with my life. My life is flowing just fine. Another extreme, I am Christian not comfortable with my life. My life is busy striving to be just fine - Another common deceptive trick is seeking 'a quick fix resolution rather than enduring by faith through the wilderness trial. The weakest link breaks first, but once repaired is stronger than the original. Like a scare after cut. Finally, ignored warnings reinforces and strengthens the affliction's root of the issue.

Context-The book of Hebrews exposes that Jesus is superior. For us today, people must not return or remain in our sinful nature. We are to trust Jesus' superiority. Hebrews in Chapter 11 and 12, reveals that the Christian life is a pilgrimage. We are not to ignore resolving the sinful nature, but endure trials by faith. In chapter 12 begins with a therefore that points back to Chapter 11 vs.1 and 39 that seeking faith is commendable and v.6-without faith we cannot please God. Trials are often allowed as discipline when we choose the sinful nature over faith in Jesus. Grace once identified redirects our focus back to Jesus. Grace is not 'Jesus will forgive me' but thank you Jesus for Your forging me. God's grace helps us to endure.

Endurance by Faith: Testimonies in Heb. chapter 11 those who chose faith in God over wandering in the wilderness. 12:1 - Author acknowledges that we are to endure trials Stop anything action or behavior that hinders our maturity by faith - Illustration: Faith moves us out of the familiar to reality of the truth of a situation. We are to realize during endurance: Stamina not speed-patience

Endure Remember We are Sons: 12:4-6 - We are not to break our spirit, but patterns like a horse until it is broken and useful. Like riding a bronco we embrace His Word, help by the Holy Spirit, and fellowship, so we can break life's broncos. We are to seek peace only Jesus can provide. He sent His Spirit to free us. For freedom we are to trust God over our minds - Prov3:5-6 Who we trust in temptations and trials lead to sin and death or faith and maturity. As in James 1:2-4 gives an attitude and a purpose of trials. Never give up endue.

Endure Heavenly Disciplines: Train Sons in Love Towards Maturity - Share with fellowship Acts 12 that they may pray that deliverance comes. Quick fixes or extremes do not resolve trials. We can choose to remain in the wilderness or like Joshua and Caleb chose to live by faith knowing God will defeat the giants. Then we will live in the promise land. We begin to know more of who Jesus is as we seek His will.