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Ten Questions: Introspection
- In what area of life have I lost my passion? (What can I do to get it back?)
- If the enemy were going to “take me out,” what are my three most vulnerable points?
- What new burden has God given me in the last year?
- What have I unlearned that has made me closer to God?
- What new discipline is God calling me to do?
- What has God asked me to do that I haven’t yet done?
- Is there something that I think about more than I think about pleasing God? (Money, possessions, ministry, family, recreation, something else.)
- Do I have an increasing joy in serving Christ?
- Am I handling the pain of ministry with integrity?
- Am I still being persecuted for my faith in Christ?
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i read something recently (blue like jazz i think) that tied to #2 and #5…he said satan loves for us to get into habits because that is when we stop engaging god.
i love establishing crosschecks that help me identify blindspots but sometimes “my” methods end up being my vulnerability. even though i trust god to use them, it ends up being about the process and not the people…delicate balance.
The three areas of vulnerability thing jumped out at me. Christ was tempted in three areas. Coinsidence?
great topic.
Craig, I think that the question that most struck me is #9 as this is something God is speaking to me right now about. The pain (sometimes very deep) of ministry is something that I was quite naive about. After 10 years in vocational ministry it is a reality that I know I must learn to respond to graciously and with a pure heart, desiring to honor God above all. I find this (and loneliness) to be the two most difficult things about being a minister. There are many different types of pain in ministry, but in particular I struggle with people being angry or always complaining about things or being misunderstood. It’s hard to be a target! I’d love to hear how others deal with this very personal pain. How do you stay authentic and open and not withdraw and defend?
Jan asked a good question:
“I’d love to hear how others deal with this very personal pain. How do you stay authentic and open and not withdraw and defend?”
Any thoughts for her?
Jan, I was reading something last night about discouragement and always keeping your eyes on the sky. That when we are thinking about being discouraged, it is the easiest time for Satan to attack us. I process things internally so it’s very easy for me to dwell on whatever negative thing in my life is facing me at the moment. I really have to work on refocusing those thoughts and claiming promises in faith that God has said in his word. We *walk* through the valley…meaning, we are making progress. Where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord. Those are all promises we can redirect our thinking towards. I understand the conflict that comes when wanting to share what you’re experiencing yet not wanting to seem like a Debbie Downer. It is so hard sometimes, and I am far from figuring it out.
For me #7 has been striking to me lately. “Is there something that I think about more than I think about pleasing God? (Money, possessions, ministry, family, recreation, something else.)” I wrote about dependence on God today on my blog, here.
For Jan,
Hebrews 12:2 … and thats not just a cliche it is power!
Craig #1 and #2 shook me. I have noticed my physical health is tied to my drive which ignites my passion and I want to change this. I am recovering from mono and I am coming out of a thick fog and just can’t seem to get back to full throttle yet! Does being sick ever effect your ability to lead?
Years ago I stumbled across a list of questions Bob Biehl wrote for Christians leaders to ask when they take prayer retreats. I think and pray through this list once a month when I get away to pray:
10 Questions To Refocus Your Life
By Bob Biehl
1. What is my single greatest strength? (What do I “do” the best?)
2. What three decisions are causing me the greatest stress?
3. What is overwhelming me?
4. What impassable roadblock has me stuck?
5. If I could only do three things before I die, what would I want to do?
6. What should I resign from or drop out of? (Drucker said, “Efficiency is doing things right, effectiveness is doing the right things.”)
7. What can I postpone?
8. What things on my “to do” list can someone else do at least 80% as well?
9. What are the “elephants” in my schedule? (Pareto said, “If you’re Noah, and your ark is about to sink, look for the elephants first.”)
10. What are the three things I could do in the next 90 days to make a 50% difference?
The problem is there’s nothing particularly Christ-centered about any of these questions. I guess that’s why I like your list so much. Thanks for posting it.
Press on,
Brian Jones
WOW Craig! Now the question is: how vulnerable does a person get? I would say there are 2 I would like to answer: #2 & #4.
For #2: As a man I would say sex, sex, sex.
Well, at least one of the three. I am not naive enough to say “It will never happen to me.” The other 2 would probably be financial “hits” (we have been trying to get debt-free for 3 years now using Dave Ramsey’s plan but…) The other would be my passion for cycling could easily cause me to lose my focus. Coming in close would be jealousy, competition, losing my family and losing my job (again).
For #4: I would say legalism. One of the greatest days of my life was when I read a book called “Wisdom Hunter” by Randall Arthur and it began a process of freedom from legalism.
I could answer all of the questions but I will spare you all!
Thanks for the thought-provoking questions Craig.
Everyone, Thank you for your encouragement.
For Jenn, I came down with mono in 2006 and it just simply takes a while to recover. Here is what I wrote about it this past January in looking back: http://aworshipfulheart.typepad.com/a_worshipful_heart/2008/01/two-years-ago.html
(I don’t know how to imbed a link, sorry) I encourage you to take care of YOU right now. Don’t try to push through this, but respect what your body is dealing with. I spent lots of time on the couch praying and journaling. Some powerful spiritual moments happened when I was flat on my back and completely unable to go, go, go. And yes, the brain fog is completely normal part of mono. I had to let others lead for a while. I had to ask for help. I hope you feel better soon and regain your strength. LEt us know how you’re doing.
C,
May I make a comment on Jenn’s question? Jenn, the answer is “Yes!” I have not had mono but just came through rotator cuff surgery and just the temporary trauma of that affected how I interacted with my job and people. I can’t even imagine how tough it would be to be “up” for things, to think through things, when you can barely focus on yourself. I pray for quick healing for you.
This also goes back, Craig, to the discussion in a previous post about physical fitness and the importance of exercise don’t you think?
#5 - what new discipline…thanks to yesterday’s list that would be praying with my family daily and reading the Word together.
great series on 10 questions!
Craig,
You know from some emails we had that I was struggling last year with my passion. But I can honestly say your message about being a Practical Atheist kicked my butt. I realized that I had grown up in a family that lived on faith literally! My parents have raised their own support for as long as I have been alive. We never went hungry or were in need. Yet I was stuck in a place that my kids weren’t seeing their pastor dad depending on God. I was a Practical Atheist. Since I resigned with no idea what I was going to do, God has been amazing.
Our new ministry was all God. My passion is definitely back. We are living by faith and God’s grace daily. Thanks again for “disturbing me!”
Jan,
Our small staff has very similar problems because of critical people complaining about changes we are leading the church through. Everyone here has experienced the feeling of wanting to just put down the vision and walk away due to people’s criticism. However, as a staff, we are able to be open and encourage one another when any of us takes a hit. Very few things will help us in this like true friends.
Brandon
This series sucks :)…I hate thinking and reflecting about my own life. It’s so much easier to do it with other people’s.
Seriously, thanks for this series, a lot of these questions I have always known I should be asking, but seeing it in print has helped me stop and really evaluate.
How about this one?
I am furthering the kingdom of God by …
[...] 10 Questions: Introspection Posted April 3, 2008 Here is another good list from Craig Groeschel [...]
Jan and Bill THANK YOU so much for your prayers and encouragement!!!
Here’s another question:
What has God ask you to stop doing or step away from? Simplify!
thanks for the awesome reflection questions…
[...] Ten Questions: Introspection [...]
[...] Questions: Introspection 1 05 2008 I’ve been sharing questions from Lifechurch.tv Blog. The questions have been a great way to spiritually recalibrate myself with [...]