Finding HOPE by moving towards PEOPLE
Today, we’re going to look at how moving towards PEOPLE in the body of Christ can help us find HOPE during the joyful times and during the dark times in our life.
When you’re in pain, do you usually want to be around people or would you rather hide out somewhere by yourself?
We’ve already talked about how we have to start living in a new kind of way. We have to be HONEST about our pain AND believe God’s truths-particularly the truth that He is OMNIPRESENT– to help us move through the pain. Many times, when we’re in the midst of pain, we can’t take hold of God’s truths without the help of other people.
Who do you have in your life? Who do you trust? Can you think of 5 people that you trust? Write their names down in a journal. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, your youth leader, people at church, neighbors, teachers, etc.
I’m going to ask you to take a risk and share some things with at least one of them. Remember when we talked about how we each have a story? We need to share those stories with each other. God has put us in the body of Christ for a reason. He knows that we need each other! We need to be connected with people who can
share truth with us and who can help us move towards hope.
Remember God has also given us a story to tell.
Get out that journal again and that cup of coffee. Take some time to think through your life story.
Who are the characters in your story?
What’s the setting?
What’s the problem or conflict? (There might more than one).
What are some resolutions you’ve seen? (Are you still waiting for resolution for some things?)
You might want to focus on the last few days or weeks or months, or you may want to go back further than that. Create a plot diagram or a just write down the answers to those questions. You can draw pictures too if you’d like.
Then think about……
How have the CHARACTERS in your life impacted you? How have the people in your life made a difference to you?
Name ONE PERSON who has made a large impact on your life. Also tell HOW they have made a difference in your life.
How have YOU made a difference in someone else’s life?
What do you LOVE about your story?
What do you HATE about your story?
Now, take a minute to think about God’s story. Even though His story is much bigger than yours, guess what? Although He is the King of the Universe, He has YOU in the palm of His hand. Your story fits into the bigger story of God’s story.
Sometimes we can’t see where our story is going, but He knows and He has a plan that is much bigger than our plan. Take a minute to think about how big God is. Can you even fathom it? There are more than 7 million people on this planet, and yet He has the whole world in His hand. He knows each person, and He has control over each and every one of those people’s stories-that includes YOUR story. He knows what is best for you, AND He has the power to make sure the best happens.
How do you think your story fits into the bigger picture of God’s story?
How have you seen God at work in your story?
NOW, here’s your challenge. How much of your story have you shared with those people you listed before? Some of us don’t like to share our stories with others. Now the truth is that we don’t have to share our story with everyone we meet, but remember that God has put us in fellowship with others for a reason. He knows that we need each other people. What part of your story do you think you could share with one of those people?
Think about those same people. How much of THEIR story do you know? Which one of those people do you feel comfortable asking more about their story?