"Where to Get Help When You Hurt"
Part 2 of "The Path for Healing and Redemption"
17For the Lord says, “I was angry with them because of their sin and greed, and so I disciplined them. But they were stubborn and kept on going their own way. 18 I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn.” – Isaiah 57:17-18 (GNT)
No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6 (GNT)
Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. – Colossians 1:15 (GNT)
The BIG Idea:
The Path to healing and redemption will lead us to an earnest belief that God exists, that we matter to God, and that God has the power to help us in our recovery, healing, and redemption. When we understand that God knows all about our situation, we are reminded that God cares about our situation. This leads us to embrace the fact that God can transform us and our situation. The transformation process begins when we accept God’s offer to help us.
The First Step to R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y:
Realize I am not God. I admit I am powerless to control my tendencies to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
Regardless of the challenges we need recovery from, the basic steps to recovery and redemption are always the same. These principles are found in God’s Word.
Our “sin nature” is the cause of our challenge(s).
God works through three denial busters throughout the history of humankind.
Earnestly believe that God exists, that you matter to God, and that God has the power to help you recover.
Taking this second step on the path to healing and redemption comes in three phases.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. – Psalm 19:1 (NASB)
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? – Psalm 56:8 (NASB)
I will rejoice in Your loving kindness, because You have seen my affliction (CRISIS). – Psalm 31:7 (NASB)
My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been. - Psalm 69:5 (GNT)
God cares about my situation.
As a loving father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor Him. He knows what we are made of; He remembers that we are dust. - Psalm 103:13-14 (GNT)
But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! – Romans 5:8 (GNT)
God can transform me and my situation.
The people who heard him asked, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus answered, “What is humanly impossible is possible for God.” – Luke 18:26-27 (GNT)
For God is at work within you giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose. – Philippians 2:13 (PHILIIPS)
For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, His Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. – II Timothy 1:7 (GNT)
How do we plug into the power of God?
We must believe and receive.
2 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free. – Isaiah 43:2-3 (GNT)
Questions for Reflection:
What is the first step to the path of healing and redemption?
What are God’s three “denial busters?”
What is the second step to the path to healing and redemption?
Why is it important for us to understand the character of God?
What does God offer to do when we find ourselves overwhelmed by a challenge in life?
How do we plug into the power of God?
No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6 (GNT)
Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. – Colossians 1:15 (GNT)
The BIG Idea:
The Path to healing and redemption will lead us to an earnest belief that God exists, that we matter to God, and that God has the power to help us in our recovery, healing, and redemption. When we understand that God knows all about our situation, we are reminded that God cares about our situation. This leads us to embrace the fact that God can transform us and our situation. The transformation process begins when we accept God’s offer to help us.
The First Step to R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y:
Realize I am not God. I admit I am powerless to control my tendencies to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
Regardless of the challenges we need recovery from, the basic steps to recovery and redemption are always the same. These principles are found in God’s Word.
Our “sin nature” is the cause of our challenge(s).
God works through three denial busters throughout the history of humankind.
- Crisis
- Confrontation
- Catastrophe
Earnestly believe that God exists, that you matter to God, and that God has the power to help you recover.
Taking this second step on the path to healing and redemption comes in three phases.
- Acknowledge God’s existence.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. – Psalm 19:1 (NASB)
- Understand the character of God.
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? – Psalm 56:8 (NASB)
I will rejoice in Your loving kindness, because You have seen my affliction (CRISIS). – Psalm 31:7 (NASB)
My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been. - Psalm 69:5 (GNT)
God cares about my situation.
As a loving father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor Him. He knows what we are made of; He remembers that we are dust. - Psalm 103:13-14 (GNT)
But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! – Romans 5:8 (GNT)
God can transform me and my situation.
The people who heard him asked, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus answered, “What is humanly impossible is possible for God.” – Luke 18:26-27 (GNT)
- Accept God’s offer to help me.
For God is at work within you giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose. – Philippians 2:13 (PHILIIPS)
For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, His Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. – II Timothy 1:7 (GNT)
How do we plug into the power of God?
We must believe and receive.
2 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free. – Isaiah 43:2-3 (GNT)
Questions for Reflection:
What is the first step to the path of healing and redemption?
What are God’s three “denial busters?”
What is the second step to the path to healing and redemption?
Why is it important for us to understand the character of God?
What does God offer to do when we find ourselves overwhelmed by a challenge in life?
How do we plug into the power of God?