Embracing God as Our Spiritual Therapist

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound concept of making God our therapist. We often avoid confronting the areas in our lives that most need attention, whether it's pain, guilt, or the need for wisdom. This avoidance prevents healing and growth. The invitation is to pause and consider where we most need God's healing and guidance. We delve into the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, where they chose to follow their desires over God's command, illustrating the human condition of wanting to be our own moral authority. Despite their disobedience, God does not abandon them. Instead, He takes the initiative to reconnect, demonstrating His deep love and desire for redemption.

God's approach is gentle and indirect, allowing Adam and Eve the freedom to choose to come to Him. He doesn't confront them harshly but instead asks, "Where are you?" This question is not just about physical location but about their moral and spiritual state. It's an invitation for self-reflection and honesty. However, Adam and Eve evade responsibility, blaming others instead of owning up to their actions. This reflects our tendency to avoid accountability and the need for God's patient guidance.

The story highlights God's nature as a loving and patient therapist, inviting us to reflect on our lives and seek His healing. We are encouraged to make God our therapist, to talk to Him about our fears, shame, and confusion. This requires courage and patience, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and healing. By regularly engaging with God, we can find the wisdom and strength we need to navigate our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Invitation to Healing: We often avoid confronting the areas in our lives that need healing, but God invites us to bring these to Him. By doing so, we open ourselves to His wisdom and growth. This requires courage to face our pain and the humility to seek God's guidance. [01:12]

2. Freedom and Responsibility: Like Adam and Eve, we have the freedom to make choices, but with that freedom comes responsibility. God allows us this freedom to develop character, but He also seeks to reconnect with us when we stray. This reflects His deep love and desire for our redemption. [02:42]

3. God's Gentle Approach: God's approach to Adam and Eve is gentle and indirect, allowing them the space to choose to come to Him. He asks, "Where are you?" inviting them to reflect on their moral and spiritual state. This question is an invitation for us to examine our own lives and seek God's guidance. [06:40]

4. Avoidance and Accountability: Adam and Eve's response to God's question reflects our tendency to avoid accountability. Instead of owning up to their actions, they blame others. This highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and seeking God's help in areas where we struggle. [07:50]

5. Making God Our Therapist: We are encouraged to make God our therapist, to talk to Him about our fears, shame, and confusion. This requires courage and patience, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and healing. By regularly engaging with God, we can find the wisdom and strength we need to navigate our lives. [10:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Embrace the Present
- [00:56] - Avoidance and Healing
- [01:24] - Invitation to Reflection
- [01:50] - Genesis and Human Condition
- [02:31] - Freedom and Character
- [03:12] - God's Initiative to Reconnect
- [03:56] - God's Gentle Approach
- [05:13] - Names of God
- [05:56] - God's Question: Where Are You?
- [07:06] - Avoidance and Blame
- [08:17] - God's Remedial Action
- [09:04] - Personal Reflection on Therapy
- [10:12] - Making God Your Therapist
- [11:32] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 3:8-13

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 3:8, what is the significance of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and how do Adam and Eve respond to His presence? [03:40]

2. How does God initiate the conversation with Adam and Eve after their disobedience, and what does His approach reveal about His character? [05:56]

3. What excuses do Adam and Eve give when confronted by God, and how do these responses reflect human nature? [07:50]

4. How does the sermon describe God's method of engaging with Adam and Eve, and what does this suggest about His desire for relationship with humanity? [06:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the question "Where are you?" signify in the context of God's relationship with Adam and Eve, and how might this question apply to our own spiritual lives? [06:40]

2. How does the concept of freedom and responsibility play out in the story of Adam and Eve, and what implications does this have for our understanding of moral character? [02:42]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God acts as a therapist, and how does this perspective challenge or affirm your view of God's role in personal healing? [10:12]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the human tendency to avoid accountability, and what are the potential consequences of this avoidance in our spiritual journey? [08:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you avoided confronting a difficult area in your life. What steps can you take to bring this issue to God for healing and guidance? [01:12]

2. Consider the freedom and responsibility you have in your own life. How can you make choices that align with God's desires for you, and what support do you need to do so? [02:42]

3. How can you create a regular practice of meeting with God, similar to the "cool of the day" mentioned in the sermon, to discuss your fears, shame, and confusion? [05:01]

4. Identify an area in your life where you tend to avoid accountability. What practical steps can you take to own your actions and seek God's help in this area? [08:03]

5. The sermon encourages making God your therapist. What specific fears or concerns do you need to bring to God, and how can you begin this conversation with Him? [10:12]

6. Think about a relationship or situation where you feel stuck or confused. How can you invite God into this space to provide wisdom and strength? [10:57]

7. Reflect on the role of pride and fear in your life. How might these emotions be preventing you from seeking the help you need, and what can you do to overcome them? [09:19]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Invitation to Healing
In our lives, we often shy away from confronting the areas that need healing, whether it's due to fear, guilt, or a lack of wisdom. This avoidance can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. God invites us to bring these areas to Him, offering His wisdom and guidance for our healing. This requires courage to face our pain and humility to seek God's help. By opening ourselves to His healing, we allow God to work in our lives, leading us to growth and transformation. [01:12]

Isaiah 57:18-19 (ESV): "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near, says the Lord, and I will heal him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have been avoiding, and how can you bring it to God for healing today?


Day 2: Freedom and Responsibility
The story of Adam and Eve illustrates the human condition of wanting to be our own moral authority. God grants us the freedom to make choices, but with that freedom comes the responsibility to choose wisely. When we stray, God seeks to reconnect with us, reflecting His deep love and desire for our redemption. This freedom is an opportunity to develop our character and align our lives with God's will. By embracing this responsibility, we can grow closer to God and fulfill our purpose. [02:42]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: How can you use your freedom today to make a choice that aligns with God's will and serves others?


Day 3: God's Gentle Approach
God's interaction with Adam and Eve is marked by gentleness and patience. Instead of confronting them harshly, He asks, "Where are you?" This question is not just about their physical location but about their moral and spiritual state. It invites self-reflection and honesty, encouraging them to come to Him willingly. This gentle approach reflects God's desire for us to examine our own lives and seek His guidance. By responding to His invitation, we can find clarity and direction in our spiritual journey. [06:40]

1 Kings 19:12 (ESV): "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to pause and listen for God's gentle whisper today?


Day 4: Avoidance and Accountability
Adam and Eve's response to God's question highlights our tendency to avoid accountability. Instead of owning up to their actions, they blame others. This avoidance can prevent us from experiencing true healing and growth. Taking responsibility for our actions is essential for spiritual maturity. By acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's help, we can overcome our struggles and become more like Christ. [07:50]

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV): "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."

Reflection: What is one area where you have been avoiding accountability, and how can you take responsibility for it today?


Day 5: Making God Our Therapist
We are encouraged to make God our therapist, bringing our fears, shame, and confusion to Him. This requires courage and patience, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and healing. By regularly engaging with God, we can find the wisdom and strength we need to navigate our lives. This relationship with God as our therapist allows us to experience His love and guidance in a profound way, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose. [10:12]

Psalm 32:8 (ESV): "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Reflection: How can you intentionally make time today to talk to God about your fears and seek His guidance?

Quotes


we have this strange tendency I do to not think about what most needs thinking about to not talk about what most needs discussing to avoid the problem the pain the guilt the very area in my life that most needs to be attended to I avoid it because I don't want to hurt but of course then there can't be healing and there can't be wisdom and there can't be growth [00:51:54]

the woman and the man have been deceived by the accuser and they have eaten from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and what that means is it's saying uh I want to do what I want to do I want to make myself the ultimate moral Authority I don't want to submit myself to what I know to be good I want to let my desires be in charge of my life and that's the Human Condition [00:117:06]

when they decide badly when you decide badly when I decide badly God does not abandon us he takes the initiative to re-engage and reconnect this is a beautiful thing that says something very deep about the nature of God he is willing to experience the pain of rejection and disappointment in these little creatures that he has made into whom he has breathed the breath of life in order to be with them again and wants to redeem them [00:180:66]

it's as if God is making a sound in the garden so that they will know he's there and if they want to they can come out they could be with him and so uh it's anthropomorphic but we picture God kind of clomping around in the garden and they'll leave stop stop so the people know I'm here and his his hope is that they will come running to him and it's a terribly indirect thing to do just to let them know to make space for their freedom [00:252:48]

so the Lord God calls out to the man where are you and this too is a beautiful thing God doesn't say what were you thinking are you kidding me Adam the one thing I told you not to do that's what you did but so many things God could have said in this story but he he doesn't like a great therapist because what God wants is not just Conformity it's not obedience against the man's will he wants our hearts he wants your heart [00:353:94]

and so God like a skilled therapist for a third time now comes back to invite Adam to discuss what's deepest in his life and God said who told you that you were naked have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from and here again uh Adam's response is not to reflect deeply on his life and to take as much accountability for his agency as possible [00:436:50]

we evade and avoid and blame and have a hard time taking accountability we'll talk about this more and so at that point it's quite clear Adam's not going to really engage so God turns to the woman then the Lord said to the woman what is this you have done and the woman does not say yep here's what I did here I'm owning up to it I need help the woman said the servant deceived me and I ate [00:483:59]

the beauty of God's initiating coming to Adam and Eve and um offering to talk with them about what they most need talk about and then giving them space treating their shredded little lives with dignity honoring their kingdoms is such a beautiful thing and I think about in my own life um my need for therapy and my refusal of it [00:520:97]

the invitation today is to make God my therapist where do I need to talk to God where's the shame where's the fear where's the confusion where's the guilt I think for me about my family and my role in my family and my regret not just in the past but even in these days to know I would love to be this kind of person with this kind of wiring and this ability to connect and to be helpful [00:612:12]

God would you speak to me about those areas of my life where I am most apt to hide and I most need healing and most need help God would you be my therapist today would you be my healer today and I will with as much courage and patience as you give me sit and think and talk with you in the cool of the day I want to come home [00:671:39]

and I want to talk to you today about making God your therapist we have this strange tendency I do to not think about what most needs thinking about to not talk about what most needs discussing to avoid the problem the pain the guilt the very area in my life that most needs to be attended to I avoid it because I don't want to hurt but of course then there can't be healing and there can't be wisdom and there can't be growth [00:47:76]

the invitation today is take a moment right now and think about what is it that where you most need God's attention in God's healing where might you have gone wrong or be on the verge of going wrong or need wisdom and and then my hope is for you and me to see how deeply uh for those of us in the Fellowship of the withered hand Our God longs to love and heal [00:79:61]

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Transcript
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