INTRODUCTION

In the past two weeks we have learned that good questions lead to good decisions which lead us away from future regrets. Who does not want that?! This week we will tackle the next question. Is there a tension that deserves my attention? Unfortunately most of us do all we can to avoid tension, confrontation, the risk of being wrong, or let’s be totally honest… we avoid anything that hurts us. Ugh! We all have tension that we manage. What if we decided to take an honest and courageous look at that tension and then asked Jesus what He wants us to do about it. What if…? Proceed with caution, courage, and hope for relief from tension!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Can you think of a “red flag moment” in your life that you heeded the red flag and avoided the impending harm? Can you think of a “red flag moment” that you ignored the red flag and found out why you were warned?
2. Some face tension until it goes away while others decide to avoid it. Which of those options describes you? How have you improved in your dealing with tension over time? How can you improve more in your handling of tension?
3. What role do bitterness and/or resentment have in your internal tension? Who do you need to release so that you can allow the Lord to deal with your own internal tension?
4. What circumstances cause you tension? How can you improve in your coping with those circumstances?
5. Is there a difference in how you think God wants you to deal with your tension compared with how you want to deal with it? Do you have people around you who support your ways of dealing with it thus making it even harder to consider doing things God’s way? How do you deal with God’s way when everyone else seems to encourage you to do what you deserve or what seems logical?
6. You are writing the story of your life one decision at a time. What is something specific that you want to change in how you are writing your story? Who could potentially benefit from those adjustments?
7. What stands in between where you are and where the Lord wants you to be in terms of dealing with the tension in your life? What will you do about it? When?
8. What role does pride have in how you are dealing with your tension? If your tension is due to the choices someone else has made it is very hard to own our own pride. It is natural to protect ourselves, but when we disobey the leading of the Lord so we can protect ourselves that quite possibly is pride and a lack of trust in Him. Trusting Him with our pain and our tension is NOT easy. How can others support you as you lean into Jesus for deep healing in your area of tension?

MOVING FORWARD

Tension is manageable, but not sustainable. Unfortunately we often get very good at avoiding the root causes and carrying weight or pain because it just seems like the least bad way to deal with it. This message this week is God’s gentle and clear way of saying, “It’s been long enough. Please let me cut in on your dance with tension.” Jesus will rarely force us to allow Him to take our burdens or our pain, but He constantly invites us to accept His involvement. Saying it is not a big deal or that we are fine is not helpful, honest, or godly. It is not godly to use our effort instead of trusting Jesus. He does not just want your sins and then spend eternity in heaven with you. He also wants your tension. As you take time this week to invite Him to lead you allow Him to cut into whatever part of your life He points out. He can help you deal with tension better than you could ever do on your own. Let’s decide to give Him complete access to our tension and walk away from future regrets.