Behind Those Eyes Blog Bible Study-The Final Chapter

We arrive to the final chapter "The Truth Heals" of Lisa's book. As we journey these final steps within this study, I must reflect back and rest a bit. It has been a painful journey at times, there has also been great joy. What the TRUTH is has been proven to me as I have read and studied these chapters. I feel as if we have climbed a large spiritual mountain and now that we are at the top, not only can we reflect on the magnitude of God in our life, we can look into His mirror and the reflection we see is His truth.

God created you exactly the way you are, with your unique personality and temperament, since He is incapable of making a mistake. (pp.169)

The recognition of the TRUTH I live in is that the flaws in my life are from my own doing, my own mistakes, my own poor choices, my own sins. But, I recognize that despite that TRUTH, I am created for a divine purpose. My assignment from Him is the only place I will find contentment. Working and playing in His plan for my life is where my fulfillment will be.

God created you with a free will to choose your behavior and mess up your life. (pp.173) God desires for us to have beautiful and fulfilling lives...but He often allows our mistakes to guide us into better choices for our future. (pp.175)

Choices...free will...TRUTH. TRUTH is admission that we have mess it up sometimes. I have made wrong choices, said the wrong things, been selfish. TRUTH is the admission that we have been wrong, that we are forgiven and that life as God ordained it can go on. He can restore you, He can restore me once again. He does use broken people, people with baggage, those afflicted with adversity such as David in the Old Testament and those with "thorns" such as Paul in the New Testament. He has used so many more people like them to bring honor and glory to His world. And He's looking for more willing people, broken people, humble people like you and me. So embrace this-offer yourself up and willing yield to His restoration and purpose.

God created us to discern and discover who we are and where we function most effectively without trying to be someone else. (pp.180)

TRUTH is resolution. TRUTH is accepting who we are for what God made us to be. I had this put to test these past couple of weeks in which an affliction fell on my husband and I in our ministry. Though the outcome has not completely resolved itself, my husband and I are soul searching in prayer for God's desire in this. I have been confident on this one thing-this one TRUTH-we have walked in this affliction with God fully beside us. Though satan has tried to tear us done, we both have grown spiritually. We both are ready to accept God's plan in this pain. I have attempted to use my anger and turn its energy into seeking God more. We have had to step outside our comfort box within our ministries and address our placement of service. It is a good thing to do when you are so involved. It refreshes the spirit. It makes you review your purpose in serving and it opens doors for change. It also allows one to confirm their placement in God's plan.

In the study guide Lisa stated "It's truth time. Is your soul set free? Is the truth behind your eyes the same as what others see?" and my thoughts stir. Time. My life needs more distance from the past and the pit I was in. The wound has healed itself-the scab is gone but the scar is still there. I accept that scar. It reminds me of where I have come in my spiritual walk-my TRUTH! Time More time is still essential for my growth and the destination of His big plan for my husband and I. In time, we will see and know that we are indeed living in His plan, secure in the ministries we are serving in. The TRUTH is that we are willing, Christ has redeemed us and we are being redefined in Him.

I look in the mirror and I see a broken and humbled heart that has so much to give because of the grace I have experienced. I look for the radiant reflection of Christ and I look for the images of the souls He has ordained me to serve and minister to.

Lisa-thank you for following God's lead in this book. I pray it will continue to bless so many more women as it has with this study group. Lelia-you are an amazing women of God and I am honored to call you friend!!

Reflecting His TRUTH~Pamela