GOD OVERCOMES OUR ENEMIES, INCLUDING A NEGATIVE SELF IMAGE

Written by : Martin Raillard

Questions to discuss and to meditate on:

Psalm 41:1  – “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak.”

-          Who are “the weak and the poor” in your life?

-          Why does “giving thought to” or “caring for” these weak result in blessing?

-          What condition do you have to meet when caring for the weak to receive this blessing?

Psalm 41:1  – “The Lord delivers him in times of trouble.”

-          How does God deliver you in times of trouble?

-          What does “trouble” stand for in this context?

Psalm 41:2  – “The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desires of his foes”

-          How does God protect you and preserve your life?

-          What does the Psalmist mean by “life”.  Does this mean just longevity or is it something else? Why do some Christians still die young?

-          What are God’s blessings in your land currently?

-          Who are your foes? What are their desires? How does this manifest itself in your life?

Psalm 41:7  – “All my enemies whisper together against me”

-          How do your enemies whisper against you? What does this sound like in your head?

-          In your experience, what makes these enemies stronger, and what pushes them back?

-          Can you relate to the phrase “the constant inner murmur of self-reproach”?  Have you experienced it?

Psalm 41:10  – “But you, O Lord, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them”

-          How does God raise you up?

-          In what ways can you repay your enemies?

-          How can you use the gospel on yourself to correct the self – image that the enemy tries to impose?

-          What does a positive Christian inner dialogue sound like in your head?

Psalm 41:11  – “I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me”

-          How do you defeat your enemy?

-          What does triumph over your enemy feel like?

-          How close are you to this triumph on a daily basis?

-          What would get you even closer to this triumph, make it more persistent?

-          What tangible actions could you undertake to live increasingly in triumph?

Visualize:

A life of victory, where you continuously have the upper hand over your enemy, growing in love, patience, joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit in your life

Grow into this direction, claim it and bless those around you by bringing the peace of Christ into every situation you are placed in