Can you believe we are already to week EIGHT?! I’ve had a blast with you ladies and I’m loving the conversations forming with in the comments. Keep them coming.
~If you are joining us for the first time, check out the Stress Point Online Study Archives Here.
The Real (Video Blog)
The Raw (Discussion Questions)
~What girlfriend case study do you identify with the most and why?
~In the video I talk about Life Mechanics. These are every day nuts and bolts of life that we must deal with: bills, paying taxes, oil changes in our car, etc. (See page 180 of Stress Point) What stresses you out the most these days about moving out on your own and taking care of life mechanics?
The Relevant (Bible Study Discussion Questions)
~In this chapter I talk about the paradox of being Miss Independent and also being totally dependent on God. On page 179 in the journal section I asked you to look up words like trust, refuge, strong, shelter in the concordance of your Bible. OR…go to Bible Gateway and do a search. What Bible verses did you come up with and how do they encourage you on the subject of Moving Out On Your Own and trusting God as your Hiding Place?
~Speaking of the name of God–Our Hiding Place (See page 175), what is one way the Scriptures above motivate and encourage you to worship your King, your Hiding Place, today?
~Switching gears just a bit. At the end of the chapter I pose the idea of personal boundaries that we must formulate now that we are adults and out on our own. The main example I used was drinking alcohol. But this concept can be used for anything in life really. What are your thoughts on using the Fruit of the Spirit as a way of measuring if we are within boundaries?
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. {Galatians 5:16-24}
I’d like to finish up today’s study by encouraging you to examine your daily life, the boundaries you need to place as an adult and if you are living out the Fruit of the Spirit. God gives us these as a gift and a huge blessing. Who doesn’t want more joy, love, peace, patience, etc. in their life?! I DO!
Let me know what you think about any of these questions or anything in this chapter. Let’s chat!
I feel like God has really been teaching me to depend on Him these past couple of years. Going to college 2 hours from home in 2010 was definitely a push outside my comfort zone, but I maintained a solid support system of my parents, a boyfriend, friends from home, church family, new friends and an awesome campus ministry. Overall I think I depended far ore on those around me than on the Lord. At the time I would have said that I knew what it meant to live independently and yet solely rely on God.
I had no idea what was coming. This season of my life has been filled with opportuniti to rely on/rest in/trust in/depend on the Lord. I can no longer find my strength, worth, or joy from a boyfriend because the 3.5 year relationship ended. I cannot rely on the consistency and protection of my parents because they’ve just started the process of getting a divorce. And for the past 5 weeks I have been studying in Spain – separated from family, friends and everyone I know – except One.
Through this hectic time, He has been my rock, my comforter, my Savior and friend. I am so thankful for my relationship with Christ which sustains me every hour. So thankful that He is drawing me closer to Himself and able to love me better than anyone else. He has met me exactly where I am. He knows and understands my feelings of loneliness and pain because he experienced them on this earth.
Ansley! Girl, you’ve had a lot going on in your life! whew! I totally feel ya with the parent thing. My parents divorced when I was 25 and it was tough. (They’ve since actually re-married EACH OTHER!) I’m so encouraged today by your faith declarations. Keep hanging tight with your Jesus, Your Hiding Place.
Hugs!
Gosh my life has been just full of surprises since I have turned 20 something . College is so much different than high school and you have a whole new set of people around you, not living at home, cooking, paying the bills for the apartment etc. So many transitions has happened to changing majors to changing boyfriends. I had to adjust and it was hard. Sometimes I didn’t want to come to the realization that I can no longer hold on anymore and I had to move on.
I remember I would just cry coming home from college certain days when my roommates were out. I felt so alone, no one to share my feelings with. I had money issues and I felt that no matter how much work study I did, it just was not not enough. Certain weekends I would not come home because I was not happy with myself or anything I had accomplished so far. High school I was top rank student, participated in many after school activities and still had time to hangout with friends.
College I felt I did it all wrong and it just got worse.
Rejections from graduate school, my test scores not making the entry level score they needed to accept me.
I did not know what to do with myself. I dropped out.
I took a short break and during that time I applied for many jobs and schools. I also prayed much more and relied on GOD to show me the light and hope that I needed. I did receive it finally and got many answers I was seeking answered. I know its still a struggle in my Christian journey of life but I will not stumble. God won’t let me fall. He is there every step of the way to guide me and for that I am forever grateful.
This year I got a new job and started school all over again and I am ecstatic!
Jane, I love your perspective on how you can start over with school and fully rely on God. It is tough in our 20s as we try to figure life out on our own. We will make mistakes and sometimes make really big mistakes, but if we cling tight to Jesus, no mistake is ever wasted. It is a chance to learn and grow closer to Him. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hey everyone, Sarah here! Wanted to pass along a prayer request from our awesome friend Meg who is on a mission trip in Alaska. Her cell phone was stolen on the trip to Alaska and as we all know, smart phones are super expensive to replace. Please pray that God will provide her the money to replace it or that the cell phone will be recovered. I’m also praying that nothing will distract Meg from what God has planned for her during this special trip.
Let us know how we can pray for YOU, too, Ok?!
Hey Everyone
Just wanted to say hi! Everything is going well here but I am not sleeping too well. Thank you also Sarah for posting my prayer request!
Hugs to you all!!
I Loved this Chapter Sarah!! Even though I have been out on my own for 12 years, i still got some things out of it!
Hi Meg! Happy to hear you made it safely to Alaska. Sorry to hear you’re not sleeping well and that your phone was stolen. I’m praying you’ll have a pleasant night’s rest tonight and that your phone will be recovered. Take care!
>>> What Bible verses did you come up with and how do they encourage you on the subject of moving out on your own and trusting God as your Hiding Place?
I found the following encouraging verses:
– But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. (Psalm 52:8)
– It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)
– Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
The above verses tell me that I need to acknowledge God at all times (particularly when I have negative/unproductive thoughts) and cling to His truths (e.g., I’m never alone, His unfailing love, He comforts me).
I’m currently unemployed and two weeks ago was very discouraged about my situation. I felt scared that I’d never get hired, especially after being rejected for so long. Last week, I heard that my resume (for a job that I think would be ideal based on my education, experience, and skills) was forwarded by HR to be further examined. I’m now waiting word to see if they’re interested in interviewing me for the position. So, Deuteronomy 31:6 definitely speaks out to me today. I shouldn’t be afraid of my future, because God is with me.
Excellent Bree will be praying!!
Thank you, Meg!
Bree-GREAT verses! Keep the faith that God has the best planned for you when you keep your eyes focused on the throne of grace! Hugs!
I have a 2 and a half our break and cant go back to my camp to rest so i thought I would answer some questions!
~What girlfriend case study do you identify with the most and why? I think your Sarah, I will have to come back to the why.. (I dont have my book with me)
~In the video I talk about Life Mechanics. These are every day nuts and bolts of life that we must deal with: bills, paying taxes, oil changes in our car, etc. (See page 180 of Stress Point) What stresses you out the most these days about moving out on your own and taking care of life mechanics?
Defiently paying billls, especiaslly since i just lost one of my jobs and also car repairs… i just got a new car casue i was having so much trouble with my other one it was a 2008 and it just seemed to be falling apart! That was stressfull putting money into it and then turning around and have something else go wrong with it the next month. The other thing is i never have the money to fix my car so my mom is always paying to have it fixed for me!
It is tough trying to save money. But based on our past conversations here, Meg, I think you are doing all the right things and making good decisions!
~Speaking of the name of God–Our Hiding Place (See page 175), what is one way the Scriptures above motivate and encourage you to worship your King, your Hiding Place, today?
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path. Pro 3:5-6
This has been a verse on my heart since I lost one of my jobs and even when i had both jobs trusting that the Lord would provide for me to pay all of my bills.
I have a question.. It is so hard for me to say I trust you Lord.. cause I feel anxious at the same time.. I keep telling myself Trust in the Lord Meg he will prvide for you. But my stomach is in knots. But its interesting cause another gal who is up here for 5 weeks who is from Pennsylvaia lost one of her jobs right before she left and she has to look for something when she gets back. I am hopingto talk to her so maybe we can encourage one another!!
Meg, that is so great that you’ve found someone on your trip that you all can encourage each other!! In regards to your question about trusting God, it takes time and diligent prayer. I want to say mind over matter with the knots in your stomach but that’s not the right way to put it. More like, faith over matter. Don’t let your nerves and anxiety over rule your faith in your Almighty King.
~Switching gears just a bit. At the end of the chapter I pose the idea of personal boundaries that we must formulate now that we are adults and out on our own. The main example I used was drinking alcohol. But this concept can be used for anything in life really. What are your thoughts on using the Fruit of the Spirit as a way of measuring if we are within boundaries?
I think its a g00d idea/reminder that we need to live according to the spirit and not the flesh and have he Holy spirit controlling us. If not,it can lead to evil/bad things and temptations.
Yes! Great way to put it!
Hey everyone, It has been a while for me I was away for the last two weekends and I was sick last week so I missed you guys.
Stress Point – Miss Independent – Identify Yourself- Journal 1
1) Can you identify with any aspects of the Girlfriend case studies? If so, what resonates with you? I take a little bit from each case study, like Melaine I moved away from home (but only 3 hrs instead of 16). I was missing my family and felt lonely even though there was plenty to do and enough people to hang out with. Hoever, instead of making my relationship stronger with God I continued to be miserable. With Sarah case study I was nervous about really taking care of myself and having to support myself. I had to figure out where to live and what kind of insurance to get. Then with Jillian she had the freedom to go out and drink but she never crossed the lined, I however did cross the line and drank to much because now I was no longer under my parents roof so they never saw me really drink. But since moving back home which I feel that God did for a reason, I feel that he has put a strong burden on my heart to give myself completely back to hime. Before I was never reading my Bible, I was drink and entertaining myself with music, TV and movies which wasn’t making me happy. Then one day I was craving something and I wasn’t sure what it was then i picked my Bible up and started reading it all the time now and I feel so at peace witht he Lord. I feel that he has brought me home and made me unemployed so that i had no choice but to turn back to him and be dependent on him. He is just prepairing me for when he wasn’t me to be completely independent from my parents. I want to be completely prepared when I move out and have the Lord on my side when I do leave my parents house.
2)What gets you most excited about the thought of being out on your own? I really miss taking care of myself like washing my own clothes and cooking my own food. Some people may not like doing these things, but I like knowing I can take care of myself. If i can’t take care of myself how am I to take care of a house, a husband and childrend. I pray God will get me back to being Miss independent. I pray that I still stay dependent on him. I also can’t wait to have my own space, even when I lived in Harrisburg, I lived with another girl who owned the house so the only space that was really mind was my bedroom. So from living with my parents, living in a door, living in my sisters house, living with a roommate I have never had my own place just a room so I really look forward to that. Especially since I am an Interior Designer I will have my own place to decorate.
3) What fears or concerns do you have about being out on your own? I fear that I won’t be financially stable to completely live on my own. I want to be able to pay off more debt before I move out of my parents house. With the help of the Lord and Dave ramsey I have been able to pay a small school loan off and my car. I feel that now that I am more dependent on the Lord I will be more succesful at paying my debt off.
Sarah, great video blog again as I’m God willing moving out on my own in a year , great advice!:) Your book is a great ressource I want to share with every Christian 20 somthing I know! Thank you!
Thanks friend!
*20 something women