We enjoyed our first Sunday at Gateway Church in Austin! We began a new series called Momentum which is about overcoming our issues and struggles and influenced by Keith Miller’s book Hunger for Healing. Keith is part of Gateway.
Here are some of the highlights of John Burke’s message:
“What am I struggling to overcome on my own?
When we cannot figure out what to change in our lives, just ask those closest to you. We can always see the issues in others more clearly than we see the issues in our lives.
1st step: Admit you have a problem & need help in changing.
Too often our pride blinds us.
All of us need God’s help. We aren’t alone in this!
What keeps us from admitting we need help?
1. Fear of losing control
We’ve dethroned God from our lives. Selfishness is an example of our attempt to play God. We want our will to be done & get mad when God doesn’t do that for us. As we struggle to stay in control, we end up self-medicating with too much food or TV, etc.
When we try to fix things on our own, we end up taking more time & effort & still struggle to overcome.
2. Fear of abandonment
We fear that if I admit my issues then others wouldn’t want to stay with me. Knowing our strategy includes never leaving anyone behind gives me the confidence that no one will abandon me. This makes us all stronger!
Who can I tell about my issues? Who am I willing to help with his issues?
3. Fear of loss
Short-term fixes don’t work. Sometimes we don’t want to admit our struggles because we don’t want to lose our coping mechanisms.
Write down the place where I’m stuck. Tell God & then tell another person. That is the beginning of healing & momentum.”
You can watch this message here and the rest of the series at http://www.gatewaychurch.com/podcast.
For me, I am going to really make a change in my health (eating and exercising) and in our spending. In what area are you hoping to make a change this new year? What ways are you going to be changing?
