STEP ELEVEN

[Jamie808]

Today's lesson was titled "discernment" but to me much of it was about understanding trials and walking through them with faith and trust in God. A couple of the points I got were:

1. The world doesn't revolve around me
I have done my share of complaining when "I'm goin through it." I am reminded to "not take it personal - and to
remember it's just Jesus making a bigger place in my soul to contain more of His blessings and truth.

2. Be careful about "providing solution" for fellow believers that are suffering...The lesson said that often Christians
begin offering advise without even praying. I can easily get carried away on my high horse galloping off to fix
someone, when all the while what is needed is for me to shut my mouth, listen and pray that the eyes of my heart
be enlightened so that I can truly understand their pain. To empathize with someone is a way of providing comfort to
those with the comfort we have received.

3. Actually another point comes to mind right now as I type. The Bible says "perfect love casts out all fear". I'd say 100%
of the time when I'm going through trials my spirit and emotions are effected by fear of some sort. So I think it's good
to pray against the source of my problem - fear. "He has not given us the spirit of fear but rather the spirit of love and
power and a sound mind". I'm finding out that loving someone through a trial isn't all about offering solutions, opinions
and sometimes even misguided scripture. I believe Im learning about the power of listening and empathizing with
the sufferer. Sometimes just telling them "I love you" is the most healing thing I can say. I am blessed to learn some of
this from my wife - she is a continual source of God's love, NO MATTER WHAT !

Peace out People

Thank you Jesus for giving us the breath of life today. May we honor You in all we do.

Praise the Lord
Jamie