Yesterday we started looking at the account of Joshua and Caleb and the spies from Numbers 13-14 as it relates to our study on having a Godly perspective.
Read Numbers 12:31-33
Notice in verse 31 that some of the spies say "We can't....". Do you ever find yourself saying "Our special needs family can't....", "I can't....." or " My special child can't....."? What causes that hesitation to do certain things that in reality with God's help we could do?
Notice in verse 31 that some of the spies say "We can't....". Do you ever find yourself saying "Our special needs family can't....", "I can't....." or " My special child can't....."? What causes that hesitation to do certain things that in reality with God's help we could do?
I really enjoyed reading all of the comments in the group yesterday. If you have not had a chance to join in the conversation, I hope you can today.
Here are some things to think about today as we continue looking at our thought life and how we can have a Godly perspective as we raise our children with special needs.
If you are honest with yourself, would you say that you are more of a pessimist or an optimist? Do you tend to dwell on the negative or the positive?
Read Philippians 4:8. Make a list of all of the things this verse tells us to think about. How can thinking on these things help us change our perspective on the challenges we face raising a child with special needs and as we face our daily life?
Today we continue to look at how our thoughts affect our perspective in a positive or negative way.
Do you struggle with negative or destructive thoughts? When you have those thoughts what do you tend to do?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. What does this verse tell us to do with the thoughts that come in our mind? What do you think that means? How can taking our thoughts captive affect our perspective?
What a great week on the "Flip-side"! There were some wonderful suggestions this week on how to "guard our thoughts". Here are just a few.
1.Pay attention to what we watch, read and listen to.
2.Memorize scriptures to remember when your thoughts start to go to the "dark-side".
3,Spend time each day reading God's word and praying.
4.Play Christian music when the negative thoughts start to invade.
5.Start replacing negative comments with positive.
1.Pay attention to what we watch, read and listen to.
2.Memorize scriptures to remember when your thoughts start to go to the "dark-side".
3,Spend time each day reading God's word and praying.
4.Play Christian music when the negative thoughts start to invade.
5.Start replacing negative comments with positive.
Another important way to keep a Godly perspective is to be in community with others. So many times special needs families feel isolated, all alone and like no one could possibly understand their lives. At Rising Above one of the most effective ways we have found to creative community is by becoming involved and engaged in one of our Connect Groups. Connect Groups are small groups of special-needs parents who meet together regularly, for community, Bible study, and to encourage each other. Currently our Connect Groups are only available in the southern United States but we anticipate expansion. In fact, you may be feeling led to start a Rising Above Connect Group in your own community. If you want to talk further about what that might look like in your area contact me at bdavidson@risingaboveministries.org Meanwhile here is a video that shares about our current Connect Groups.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEMIUOooboc
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