So you’ve started out on this new journey with God. That’s great! Discovering a friendship with God is exciting and joyful. But one thing that many people worry about is: what if it all goes wrong? What if I mess up? What if I do something wrong, or become less certain of what I believe?
Today, we have a video in three parts to watch, as Liv guides us through the question of how we navigate life as a believer.
Next up, we’re going to watch this YouTube clip. After that, we’ll come back here to the second part of Liv’s talk, in the video below.
Questions to talk about in your group
Where are you in your faith journey? Is the road ahead still exciting and joyful, or have you come up against bumps or disappointments?
As Liv went through Psalm 23, was there any part or phrase that jumped out at you?
When you ‘look back in your rearview mirror’ what reassurance can you see that God has been there in your life?
Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Activity
Our feelings (happiness, sadness, excitement, anger…) are a normal part of being human, and it’s healthy to recognise them. But we don’t want them to rule over us, or push us to think things that aren’t true.
One of my favourite Bible stories tells how Elijah reached a really low point. He was in a very emotionally-charged situation, and in despair, he said to God “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.” He didn’t want to live any more. Then God sent an angel, who told him to eat something. He ate, and slept, and suddenly felt that maybe he could go on living after all! (You can read the whole story in 1 Kings 19)
What I like about this is that it’s something so relatable. Everything seems worse when we’re hungry and tired. Being human means that we are affected by physical and external influences, every bit as much as by spiritual forces.
What’s important to remember is that God’s word is true even when we don’t feel like it’s true. God is loving on the days when we feel unloveable. God provides for us even when we feel like we don’t have everything we need. God is faithful even when we’re waiting for him to answer our hearfelt prayers.
And so, when we find ourselves sinking into negative feelings, it can be helpful to have a Bible verse ready to remind ourselves of what’s true.
So, for example, if you find it hard to stop worrying about a particular situation, you might like to write out ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding‘ (Proverbs 3:5) and pin it to your fridge door as a reminder to keep praying when you’re anxious.
Or if you find that on bad days you picture God as distant and angry, you might find it helpful to read Zephaniah 3:17:
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Grab a pen and paper, and let’s try putting this into practice. Start by writing down one negative and untrue thing you’ve caught yourself thinking this week. Once you’ve done that, think about whether you know any Bible verses or stories that could help you next time you feel this way. If you get stuck, have a read of the list below.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. (Jeremiah 17:7)
Going deeper
Just like last week, we’ve got some ideas here of things you can read, watch or listen to, if you’d like to go deeper in this topic.
Listen to Desert Song by Hillsong. This is a worship song about living through good and bad times, and choosing to remember that God is good in all of it.
Read Psalm 23 one line at a time, just as Liv did in her video, and ask God to speak to you through it.
This New Life 