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plan101.docxPLAN101
Walls that hinder God’s Plans for His children
In week one of our course I took the Walls assessment and was surprised to find, according to that assessment, that I was dealing with the Wall of Isolation. Ryan Rush defines a wall as “an unhealthy mind-set that keeps you from living life as God intends.”[1] The first thing a person must examine is what mind-set controls their lives. Rush cites Romans 8:5-8 which states,
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God (NIV).
It is therefore imperative that those who seek God’s guidance must have their minds renewed. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” When the Christian’s worldview changes to a Bible based one, the believer can then recognize that which presents an obstacle in their spiritual life and are then able to address it. Philip H. Towner states, “Renewal, which is related to conversion and regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; Colossians 3:10), is the prerequisite for reaching an understanding of God’s will.”[2]
The answer to defeating whatever wall one might face as an individual, is understanding the promises God has given the believer to be victorious in each situation. For instance, Rush has determined that God’s attribute to combat the Wall of Isolation (as in my case) is His love. Those who battle with the Wall of Isolation can find victory in noting the love that God has and is demonstrating to their lives. The Apostle John states in 1 John 4:10-11, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (NIV). These verses clearly state that God loves us, He loves us to the extent that He sent His Son to die in our place. The fact that God loves us alone should serve as comfort to those that believe that no one loves them. But the verses go on to say that since God loves us we ought to love one another. The church should be the place where those that feel disenfranchised come to meet brothers and sisters that are eager to demonstrate God’s love to a fellow member of God’s family. There is no better feeling to those who feel alone to encounter individuals that are willing to call them part of their family, the family of God. The trials and tribulations one goes through are easier to deal with when one understands that there is a group of people willing to help and pray for us (1 John 3:16-17). The Apostle Paul advises the believers to encourage one another and to be of one mind, and also to live in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11). But even in the worst of situations God has promised to be with us always (Psalm 27:10).
We can reflect God’s image of love by treating those in our household as described in the above Bible citations when dealing with other members of the family of God. However, the Bible gives specific instructions to the members of a specific household. If one does not want to feel lonely in their own family, the Bible addresses the responsibility of family members that will remedy this situation. Husbands are to love their wives and be willing to give their lives for her (Ephesians 5:25). Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28). Husbands are also to treat their wives in a tender and loving manner (Colossians 3:19). Wives, on the other hand, are to submit or respect their husband as they do to the Lord—not worshiping them (Ephesians 5:22, 24). This respect that the wives owe their husbands are fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). Wives respect is due to their husbands not somebody else’s (1 Peter 3:1). The women also help the family structure by teaching the younger women to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:3). The young men are to exercise self-control (Titus 2:6), this was Paul’s exhortation to his son in the faith, Titus; it is also the responsibility of every parent to teach their children (Proverbs 22:6). God help us to be good stewards of our households.
PLAN102
God has made several promises to me that supersede me wanting to be isolated from everyone, First, He promised me that He will always be their for me even when I do not want Him to. Also, He tells me that he is the only one that I can count on. So far since I have had a personal relationship with Him he has never really left me. Because of that I know that he is telling me the truth. Then, He has put people in my life that show me the love of Christ everyday. My wife is the main person that he has put in my life that does that. No matter what I do she loves me just like God. I am confident that both her and Him will never leave me. Also, God has proven to me I can trust him. Those are the promises God has made to me that supersede me wanting to be isolated.
