The Struggle is Real

Just finished up a Bible study using Right Now Media and a book by Nicole Unice called The Struggle is Real.  Bam!  This book impacted me greatly.  (I recall just one other book being as timely and spot-on in recent years - - that was Stressed Less Living by Tracie Miles - - and I've read a TON of books in the last 5 years!)  I have shared what I've been learning in The Struggle is Real with other close friends and they are taking the message to heart as well.  Given the weight loss goals many of us have this year, the cover photo alone was intriguing to me...ha!

Here is Unice's central message: God is greatest.  He knows best.

If we really believe that...life just runs along a little smoother.  There's more peace.  Joy.  Intimacy with Him.  Our story is one we are living in past, present and future. But essentially, the Struggle with a capital "S" has to do with how we know we should live (free in Christ, able to love fully, resting in His grace) with how we actually live (burdened, anxious, and/or in doubt of His goodness).

Freedom Cycle DERAILERS!

The story themes of our lives typically hit one of these 4 themes:
#1 Lost
#2 Bondage
#3 Afflicted
#4 Overwhelmed
(Can you relate to any of these?)

Unice has a background as counselor, so she does delve into the idea that your past can define who you have become.  But she doesn't stop there.  She doesn't allow you to stay a victim in it.  What she talks about is the "Freedom Cycle".  Once you learn what God's LOVE really is, you can live in TRUTH, which allows you to FORGIVE and feel forgiven, and that allows you true FREEDOM to love.  Thus the cycle begins once again.  This was a powerful message for me.  In the weeks leading up to this Bible study, I was going through a period of doubt - - I mean ultimately I do believe God has my best interest in mind.  But I sometimes get weary in the waiting.  What is going to be His solution to my heart cries?  So to hear and grasp that He really does LOVE me, to really accept that, is huge.  Unice solidified this in my heart over the course of this study.

Living In the Freedom Cycle

And, real life confirmed it for me also.  This past week I was thrown into a bit of a tailspin with a job offer.  It came out of the blue.  I wasn't looking for full-time work.  It is at a non-profit, in accounting, which is exactly what I want to do once I've completed my Master's Degree program. Mind you, we completely enjoy the freedom of our current schedule.  And my income streams do provide enough for us to survive.  But the offer of something different had me really seeking clarity and guidance.  I couldn't know the end of the story without walking it out, but God knew.  And there is so much peace in that.  He just knows best. What I also know is that He wants to give me the best thing for me.  I finally came to the conclusion that that job was not His best for me.  In fact, what He pointed me to was this: what I currently have IS the best...at least for now.  And He reminded me that thankfulness, contentedness, and joy in this season is where I'll find peace.  It's like He was saying, "Lisa, I give you manna every day.  Be content.  Why do you want to go back to Egypt?"  If I hadn't been absorbed in this The Struggle is Real Bible study, I may not have been able to see this as clearly.

The 6 weekly videos for the study on Right Now Media are short (15 min or so each).  The daily participant material is also manageable.  Plus, the whole thing is so rich in God's Word.  So much scripture!  Not a bunch of psychobabble or author opinion.  As is typical for me, I borrowed the text up from the library and purchased the Participant's Guide from Amazon for $8 + tax.  Can't wait to dive into my next study!  Renewing my mind by resting in His Word.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.