Hi friends! It’s Alicia, here to wrap up Week 2.

When I was growing up, Choose Your Own Adventure books were popular. As a reader, I could choose how the story would go, which I loved! Of course, I would usually hedge my bets by glancing ahead at upcoming choices to see what might happen, so I knew which choice I preferred and which path I wanted to follow. I liked making those decisions and being in control of the outcome.

While I got the ending I wanted, I realize I missed out on the experience of being present in the story and enjoying it as it developed. As the plot thickened and characters made connections, I focused on the choices I would have to make, so the story often didn’t make total sense or feel fulfilling.

Sadly, the same can be said for life. We often want to skip through difficult and trying times to force the happy endings that make us feel good. Especially when we’re afraid of being hurt. Especially when we’ve been hurt before.

This week in our study, we learned healing and forgiveness aren’t something we rush through. Rather, we make the choice for our healing to begin. Lysa helped us learn that we then have to trust the process.

In Chapter 4, Lysa shares details of her forgiveness story. As I read about the way she wrote one-by-one on index cards specific times she had been hurt and by whom, I was challenged to do the same. Goodness, it was hard. There were a few details that were difficult to even write. Wondering how I could get to the forgiveness Lysa describes, I looked back to page 49 and read this prayer,

“What my feelings don’t yet allow, the blood of Jesus will surely cover.”

Yes, it certainly does. And it changes everything! Jesus gives us strength we don’t have on our own. He takes the impossible and makes it possible.

So let’s hold onto that: Jesus makes it possible. When feelings are fragile and we think we can’t forgive, Jesus fills the gap.

Friends, let's step toward God in obedience as we continue together. Step-by-step, let’s cheer each other on so we don’t skip over the hard parts or give up on the story Jesus is still writing in our lives.

Cheering you on,

Alicia

Heart to Heart:

What step can you take today that will move you closer to God?

Last night on our P31 OBS Facebook page, we had Bible Study LIVE at the Table! We watched this video (above) together and then had discussion around some of the questions found in the study guide. No Facebook? No problem! You can access this video here, even if you don't have an account! See you at the Table!"