What are you currently pursuing? Our pursuits reveal a lot about what is most important to us so it can be helpful to evaluate what you might be pursuing - sometimes without even realizing it. For example, you may have placed your hope in the wrong person, and when that person doesn’t live up to expectations, we experience disappointment. The Book of Romans says there's only one hope that doesn't disappoint and it's Jesus. So, when you feel overwhelmed with disappointment and it doesn't go away, it's a good indication that you’re allowing someone or something to take priority in your life, and you need to refocus and pursue God.
Going through the following questions can help us identify some things that we're pursuing a little too much. So, what do you complain about the most? Maybe this is hard for you to identify but ask the people that you do life with how they would answer this question for you. It could be a relationship, politics, economy, finances, or any number of things. What you complain about the most has a way of indicating something that you're pursuing a little too wholeheartedly.
What do you worry about the most? Psychologist Alfred Adler says, “If you want to find out what you're living for, pay attention to your nightmares.” What's the one thing you just can't imagine living without? Who's the one person you just can't imagine surviving without?
Where do you go when you're hurt? Henry Blackaby defines an idol as anything you turn to for help before turning first to God. Lastly, what brings you the most joy? These are good things that are gifts from God, but these good things should make us love the giver. The gifts should draw our heart towards the giver, and when the gifts get in the way of our relationship with the giver, then it becomes idolatry.
Reflection/Discussion Questions: Which of the questions listed above do you find most convicting? Why?
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