My “Learning to Lean” Stage | #angelathomas #learningtolean
As I’m sitting here this morning thinking of all the things I should be doing to get ready for the party of the century this weekend, I had to take a step back and reflect on an excerpt from Angela Thomas’ “Brave” Bible Study that the women of our church are doing on Tuesday mornings.
Right now, I’m going through what I call is my “Learning to Lean” stage of life. I’m really learning to lean on Jesus.
You know, we have so many obstacles in our lives whether it’s teenage rebellion, failed or failing friendships, adversities in the workplace, addiction, and on and on and on…
On the outside, I may seem like I have it together, and I’m involved, efficiently, in several different events, ministries, sports, etc., but there are days when I have to overcome struggles just like anyone else. I don’t always want people to know that my heart is breaking over a friend’s betrayal or one who has turned her back on me, financial issues or, better yet, struggles within my own immediate family.
I have a really hard time with petty jabs or passive aggressiveness. Let’s face it, social media is a breeding ground for negativity, gossip, and a plethora of other hurtful things.
One thing that suck out to me was this little bit from Day 1 of Week 3 of the Brave study that I realized has happened in my life over the past several weeks. It’s pretty cool how God throws things in your path to make you realize that he’s truly working in your life.
The Struggle Within
Don’t shame me or beat me up with more guilt; I’ve done enough of that already. I need the God of heaven to make some old parts of me new. A Holy Spirit change – that’s what I’m seeking from the Lord this week. – Angela Thomas
A Holy Spirit change. Just think about that for a minute. Alone, I can’t tackle the weight of the world on my shoulders. Alone, I can’t change the outcome of any specific event. Alone, I am not in control.
God has promised to change me through the Holy Spirit – inside and out!
Romans 7:18b – For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7:24-25 – What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
This, my friends, is the change you see in me by seeking gospel knowledge. A Holy Spirit change. Does this mean that my life is perfect? No. I have a struggle within just like everyone else, on a daily basis, but I know that, with God, even though he’ll give me far more than I can handle, he reminds me daily that he gives me so much more than I can handle alone so that I can learn to lean on Him and I never have to handle the problems in life alone again.
Looking forward to reading more of this, Lisa! So true – we *cannot* do it alone without Him.
Thank you, Beverly!
This sounds like a good book. I feel like I have been in the learning to lean stage of life for a very long time. Maybe it’s what is better know as parenting? 😉
Right! Parenting can be tough, and I’m really learning that I can’t do it all on my own!
I’ve really been struggling with Mom guilt. I have a lot of little moments with my youngest, but I feel like I’m short changing my oldest. In the midst of our busy lives, I don’t want to miss shaping him into a loving compassionate young man. You helped me remind me it isn’t my job to change his heart. He already has an amazing Dad that has stepped up in the holes that due to the needs of a baby for his momma, that I left.
We aren’t in this life alone. He is with us.
It’s like my dad said the other day… right now, Jett needs the most attention because he’s so little. The next most attention needed would be Hawk, and then Brax, and THEN Kylie. She has a hard time with that. It’s not that all of the attention is going to them because we love them more. It’s because Jett can’t wipe his own rear-end and he gets into everything. At almost 15 years old, they should be more dependable and should not demand the attention they needed at 2.
Ah… learning to lean… that is our life journey as followers of Christ, eh? 🙂
Love this post! I haven’t heard of Angela Thomas.. so thank you for sharing!
I have never heard of Angela Thomas either, but I’ll definitely check out some of her books.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have added the book to my wishlist.
I think it is fantastic that you’re finding your way. I know exactly what you mean about the bitterness of betrayal of a friend. Been there. What I try to do is just remind myself that it isn’t me… it’s her. I’m the best I can be and if it doesn’t mesh with her then it isn’t in either of our best interests to hang out together.
He is always there even when you need him the least. Never worry about being less than anyone. Or worry what others think about you. We are all human and we all fail at this thing called life sometimes.
I have not heard of Angela Thomas before but I am intrigued now. I need to check her out.
It is so funny to me that I can read this and nod my head in agreement. Thinking how right you are and how true it is. But actually allowing all areas of myself to die so the Holy Spirit really can do a work.
Thank you for sharing this. I am adding the book to my reading list. It’s something I really need to do.
Thank you for posting this. Agree you can’t do it alone and I’ve only recent started going to church and reading the bible again. It has been many years so I am having to learn everything over again and it is hard. I’m also in a bible study group (women) and we are reading the Joyce Myers book, “Never Give Up.” I have thought about writing about my experiences but never saw anyone else write about bible studies so thought it was taboo. Thank you for sharing this, it showed we can blog about religion, parenting, etc. Looking forward to more of your writing, bookmarked your site.
I “learned to lean” a few years ago when I had a lot of things going right – and a lot of things going wrong. It was a complete change in my life and nothing has ever been the same since… good for you!
This really touched home for me. I am also on my own personal journey to repair and build a relationship with God.
You are so right, we can not do it without him <3