Resist The Temptation To Let Your Worst Self Come Out

Hebrews 4:14-16

Certain situations draw out the worst in us. Be aware of those things that bring the monster out in you and avoid them.

Soul Food

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

- Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

Soul Search

• Are you someone who can quickly jump in and get involved if you see a threat to your family or friends?
  Can you share one or two examples of times when you had to get involved?

• Are you someone who is more passive and less inclined to move quickly even when you see a threat emerging that could cause harm to your family and friends? 
  Can you examine yourself and your background to try and understand why you are slow to react to provide some level of protection for the people you care about?

• Did you - or do you - feel protected by the people you are closest to?
  Do you feel protected by your husband?
  Do you feel protected by your wife?
  Did you or do up feel protected by your Dad?
  By your Mom?

• Do you think there is some room for healing in you because a significant person in your life didn’t provide the protection you needed along with a level of safety and security you would have wanted and should have had?

Soul Moves

• Ask God to help you be more proactive when it comes to getting involved in the lives of those around you to provide protection when necessary.

• If you’re prone to some level of fear that causes you to hold back when you should otherwise get involved in facing a threat, be honest about it with God and ask Him to give you boldness and courage. 

• If you have hurts and pain because you weren’t protected by someone in your life who should have cared for you that way, ask God to give you His strength and power so that you can forgive them.
  Find God’s healing for you in forgiveness.

• If you know you have failed at certain times to provide protection for the people you love, ask God to forgive you for not standing up to provide that protection.
  Also consider going to those you love who you didn’t protect and ask them to forgive you. Explain that with God’s help you’ll try to do a better job of protecting them in the future.