Every person alive today has some picture that comes to mind
when the word "God" is spoken. Possibly that picture
came from parents, a pastor, a friend, a movie or a book.
In my twenty years of work in the area of personal and family
counseling, I have had demonstrated to me over and over again
the importance of that picture. I have come to believe that every
person can benefit by first clarifying that picture at a conscious
level and then examining that picture to correct any distortions.
In the final analysis, those God view distortions feed unhappiness
and destroy relationships with such caustic emotions as guilt,
hopelessness, and despair (as opposed to those success nurturing
attitudes of forgiveness, hope, and endurance).
Consequently, in an effort to help you clarify your own picture
of God, take a few moments to reflect on how you would complete
the following statements about God and His attitude towards you.
The first thought that comes to your mind is usually the best
one to write in the blank following each statement.
1. The commandment of God I feel farthest from fulfilling is ___________________.
2, When I look up and see God's face in
my mind after I have failed to meet that commandment, He looks
_____________________.
3. And I think that He feels ___________________.
4. The first thing I think God does after
I fail is _____________________.
5. I think that I'll never be perfect enough
to suit God in the area of _____________.
6. I feel like I frustrate God most when
I _________________________________.
7. When I do something that God doesn't
like, He usually punishes me by ________.
8. Picture God commanding you to obey the commandment you listed
in Statement #1.
From the list below, check the words that best describe His tone
of voice:
____ High
____ Low
____ Strong
____ Weak
____ Cold
____ Warm
____ Loud
____ Soft
9. As best you can, try to describe whey God listed the breaking
of that commandment as something He didn't like. ________________________________
10. If someone came to God and asked Him to give His opinion of
you, what words would He use? ______________________________________.
11. What in your life do you believe that
God could get positively excited about? ____________________________
As you'll see above, the individual questions are highlighted
links that will take you to other Bible studies to help you explore
the question in even more depth.
I hope that this series of studies helps to expand your view of
God.
Please write if I can be of assistance.
Pastor Dave
AskAPastor@aol.com