What Do Passivity, Fear, and Indecision Have In Common?
Most of us understand that to move forward, we have to ... well, move forward. We have to take steps in order to achieve movement on whatever path is before us.
What is harder to come to terms with are the ingrained beliefs (poisons)that can hold us back from said movement. Let's explore these thoughts together. See if you can identify which, if any, of the following thoughts you have had personal experience with.
- If God wanted it to happen, He would ______________. Maybe it is a vocational shift of some sort, and you are waiting for it to come to you. Maybe it's about a relationship you would like to see go deeper, but you are holding back till the other person makes a move. You get the picture. You want God to make something happen. (Of course, there are cases when one is called on to be patient, but let's make sure it is God doing the prompting and not simply a lack of initiative on our part.)
- Antidote: Look at the desire in your heart and ask God for grace to take the ini ...
Where Is He When You Need Him?! [Always Circle-Pt2]
If we are honest, we have all asked that question in some form or another at some time in our lives. Probably multiple times. The Psalms carry this type of question on repeat.
I clearly remember reading "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby and questioning this statement. "If there is a problem in your relationship with God, the problem is always with you and never with God." It seems clear to me now, but I was pretty angry when I first read it. I was trying to do the right thing so hard and yet feeling so distant.
Thoughts like these went through my mind. [Spoiler alert: These are very ugly, raw thoughts.]
- If He is really there for me/us, then why did "that" happen? (early death of friend or family member, mischaracterization, traffic accidents, abuse, poverty... the list could go on.)
- It doesn't feel like He is guiding my path when I am so confused about my next steps. (Or when I made a choice I thought was right, and things didn't work out.)
- I don't understand why provision ...
3 Kinds Of "Stuff" We All Face in Life
At Bridges Coaching, we use the Always Circle as a visual aid for a coaching journey. Good coaching involves three "always" things. Today, we are discussing the first one.
There's always going to be stuff.
And I think I have identified 3 kinds of stuff. Let's take a look.
1) External Stuff
The first kind of stuff is external. It comes from the outside. It is something that happens to us, Things like sickness, accidents, termination, misunderstandings, financial situations... basically any circumstances that come our way.
Dealing with the stuff of life can be difficult. Especially if there is more than one external source that we are facing at the same time. (There is often more than one for most people.)
External stuff is hard. It is not our choice. It is often a surprise. It can be chronic - lasting for lengths of time, or short-lived, but it certainly affects our well-being.
Good coaching helps us name what we are dealing with and focus on our stuff.
What are some things...
Is Coaching What You Think It Is? 4 characteristics of Good Coaching
We've been on a journey delving into the many types of valuable questions to ask each enneagram type. (You can check out our Bridges blog archive for coaching questions for any type.) Good coaching is not simply about choosing the right question there's so much more.
1) Coaching is about the journey represented in the Always Circle*
- There's always going to be stuff.
- God always offers a plan.
- We always make choices.
If we want to be active believers, we need to be growing followers of Jesus. This means there will always be a next step in our journey.
Good Coaching helps us see the next steps.
2) Coaching is NOT about telling people what to do. Life Coaching can have many meanings depending on who you talk to. Bridges Coaching adheres to the definition of coaching set by the International Coaching Federation and Christian Coaches Network International. This type of coaching is built on the pillars of Active Listening and Asking Powerful Questions.
A Good Coach is a thinking...
DON'T WORRY! God Always Offers a Plan [practical steps to reconnect]
I don't know about you, but I leak sometimes.
I leak confidence. I leak hope. I lean into despair or worry... and it seems so legit, cuz the stuff is real and it hurts, or it is taking too long, or I don't know why "it" didn't turn out like I thought.
What's wrong with me? I've seen God answer plenty of prayers. I've been the beneficiary of provision, healing, forgiveness, guidance, comfort and so much more, but when stuff comes up. I seem to forget all that.
When I was a child and first heard the stories of the Israelites being delivered from Egypt, going through the Red Sea on dry ground, and being provided for in so many miraculous ways but then crying out to God wondering where He was, and asking to go back to Egypt; I didn't get it. I thought they were short-sighted and ungrateful.
Turns out they were just human.
Turns out I am too.
I guess the Apostle Paul was like that too. In Romans 7:15 he says,
I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, a...
WARNING: There's Always Going To Be Stuff...
Ever feel overwhelmed - like there is just too. much. stuff. ?
Sometimes it is your own stuff - like facing a transition, a misunderstanding, a loss, or working hard to accomplish a goal. Maybe even wondering if you are on the right path or will ever achieve what you had hoped for.
As I get older other people's stuff weighs on me more - like my adult children's stuff or the people I work with or serve in ministry.
It could be health stuff, job stuff, relational stuff, financial stuff, house stuff... There could almost be endless categories. Stuff can be overwhelming. Stuff can steal your hope and your joy. It can distract you and blind you to all that is beautiful and good in life.
In Bridges Coaching, we talk about the Always Circle. It has three parts and the first one is: There's always going to be stuff. (Stay tuned for the next two blogs where we will explore the other two.)
It's true. There's always going to be stuff, but take heart.
Jesus said,
"I told you these thi...