Transitioning Through Trials while Honoring God in our

Transitioning Through Trials while Honoring God in our Hearts FEBRUARY 3, 2018

• How we do transitions matters! • God is good and in control and desires us to travel through life as free as possible. • Understand recognize transitions vs. change. • End well embracing the Neutral Zone! Julie Jones 9/30/17

Transitions • the inner process through which people come to terms with a change, as they let go of the way things used to be and reorient them to the way that things are now.

With your tablemates, name some examples of transitions that we face.

Our lives are full of transitions, like a quilt that God brings together in a beautiful unpredictable way, for the purpose of his glory.

Transition Examples • Milestones: graduation, driver’s license, marriage • Death / Birth • Sin Addictions • Job / Role • Health / Disability • Moves • Serving in Church • Money in/out • Family Members • Political Events • Children • Age • Friendship

MARY MOTHER OF JESUS

What Do We Know About Her Responses? • Luke 1: 26 – 38 – responds by saying to Archangel Gabriel “Let it be according to your word” • Luke 2: 19 – treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart after shepherds worshiped her baby son • Luke 2: 33 – marvels at the prophecies when Jesus was presented at the temple • Luke 2: 41 -52 – treasured up all these things in her heart when Jesus was teaching in the temple as a 12 year-old

Inner Woman’s Mind, Will, and Understanding

Heart Word Study

Proverbs 3: 1 -6

Guard, watch over 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; depart from write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

hold in secure confidence 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. trust in

Put Off and Put On Colossians 3

Wrong Heart Responses • Anger – This is wrong and not fair; God must have made a mistake. I am not going to let this go. • Denial – This can’t be happening. God doesn’t love me if He is going to do this to me. • Depression – I can’t handle this, it is too much to deal with and take care of myself, job, family, etc. • Revenge /Malice – I will get back at him if it is the last thing that I do. • Bitterness – I hate so and so, it is their fault that I had this awful thing happen. • Wrath – I was so angry I threw the dish at the wall. • Selfishness – I don’t care what anyone thinks. I am dealing with a lot, I deserve this, I need some me time right now. • Envy – Why can’t God have given me that job, child, spouse, house, family, role or position, then I would have been happy. • Jealousy – He doesn’t deserve that honor, I do. I’ve worked hard and no one appreciates me. • Slander – If it weren’t for that no good, dirty rotten, …

Right Heart Responses • • • I will trust that God knows what he is doing, and not lean on my own understanding. I will not get in the way of Him making my paths straight. – Prov 3: 56 God will give me rest, I can learn from this. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Matt 11: 28 -30 • God began a good work in me and He will complete it. - Phil 1: 6 • I will be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, because God asks me to and what is happening to me is nothing compared to what Christ suffered for me. - Eph 4: 32 • Just like God’s grace was sufficient for Paul’s thorn in the flesh, His grace is sufficient for me now. - 2 Cor 12: 9 • I will put off my old man and put on the new man, through God’s grace and help. Col 3 • I am going to serve in this way and put others first. Life isn’t all about me. – Phil 2: 1 -10 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ” - Phil 4: 13 God helps us in our weakness, and prays for us, He will use this for his good purpose - Rom 8: 26 -30 I will rejoice that God is allowing me to go through this; he is working on perfecting me - Ja 1: 2

Application – With a Partner • Read the transition example from the screen. • Partner A - Share some examples of wrong heart responses. • Partner B - Share some examples of right heart responses. • Pray for the women in our church and those you know who may be going through this type of transition, about to, have gone through, or know someone who is going through this transition. • Rinse and Repeat with a new partner.

Transition Whole Group Example • A woman’s very good friend moved out of the state into a different time zone. There are fewer opportunities to physically see each other and share their lives they way they used to. Partner A – Wrong Example Partner B – Right Example Pray together

Find a Woman with Your Matching Heart INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND AGREE WHO IS PARTNER A AND B

Transition Example 1 • A woman has recently experienced a great loss of a child through pregnancy or the passing of an elderly loved one. Partner A – Wrong Example Partner B – Right Example Pray together

Transition Example 2 • A woman has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is about to start radiation, followed by chemotherapy. Partner A – Wrong Example Partner B – Right Example Pray together

Transition Example 3 • A woman’s role in life has just ended (retired, empty nester, step down from one ministry, or graduated), and is moving into a different stage in life. Partner A – Wrong Example Partner B – Right Example Pray together

Paper Heart 1, 2, 3 1. Your Transition 2. A right heart response God is asking you to work on 3. A bible verse that can help you with this. 4. Attach it to the quilt.

Take a picture of our quilt and use it as a reminder to pray for each other!