Paul contentment in Jesus instead of waiting on friends reveals who is our greatest helper! And as a friend, what is the motive of our hearts? We discuss our true identity, the ways we help and don't help, and when we can't be there to help...how is God at work?

DISCUSSION:

Recap of v13 -
We are given the strength based on what God has ordained for our life. He will give at all times, what we need. Never to fail. His enoughness, through relationship, he will always give us what we need. Jesus Christ, our greatest helper!

It's in our good times and times of heaviness, in disappointment, that strength comes through Christ.

Verse 14 -
NIV: Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
NLT: But even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

It was good for you to share in my troubles. We need to recognize that we need first and foremost. I learned to be content by going to Jesus instead of waiting for friends. Paul's contentment in Jesus instead of waiting on friends.

All addicts come from the same root of brokenness. And addict can be someone that is overly helping people because they need to feel validation....this is a hidden addiction for validation.

Everyone who has an addiction, the only freedom is when they hit rock bottom. If we are always rushing in to help them...enabling actually disables. When I enable someone to do nothing, I disable them to do something.

The motive of our hearts. Our enablement comes from a selfish place. I can no longer serve to receive...to get my identify.

What kind of helper is God advocating for her. For me not showing up, is showing how big God is. Healing for strained relationships. People WANT to help in strained relationships, but if we're not helping, we get to say as Christ followers, who do you get to be for this person who I can't be there for. Who does God get to be for the people I can't be there for?

How do I know if I'm helping out of enablement or out of a pure heart. 2 fruits in my life that say I'm operating out of enablement....1) resentment, 2) exhaustion. These are indicators you have resentment towards others....doing things of our own strength, our own effort. When you're operating out of broken places, I.e. looking for validation (validation = I see you). Christ is the King of validation. He sees us!
There's no exhaustion or resentment when operating from a heart postured for God.

The motive of our hearts.

When you're following God's lead it's IMPOSSIBLE to go wrong.

Prayer IS the battle plan!