Skip to main content

Living in God's Power-Overcoming Apathy (with podcast episode #20)

Have you ever found yourself not caring about what happens in your life? Do you have that feeling of what will be, will be? Do you feel as though you have no control over your circumstances, because the plan for your life is a dire strait? Do you feel yourself simply going through the motions, because you couldn't care less? Well, I'm here to tell you that that state of apathy has got to flee. That state of apathy will get off of you, because God has much more for your life. Believe that.



In last week's podcast episode, I discussed overcoming fear, the second session or chapter in Bill Hybels' book, Living in God's Power, Finding God's Strength for Life's Challenges. I am doing a 7 week book study on Hybels' book. The book study discusses the ways in which we can go about getting to the next level in what God has for our lives. Last week's episode also talked about what Hybels says about getting over fear. He said, if we are operating in fear, get to the root of that thing and move on out from there. "Only when we identify the birthplace of fear, can we begin the process of overcoming it" (Hybels, p. 21). Remember, fear is a lie and doesn't come from God. Hybels says, 'we have to expose the lies of fear and not be paralyzed by them (p. 22). Thus, we can all overcome fear, because we can all walk in the new creations Christ made us to be.

The focus of this week's episode is on overcoming apathy or that don't care feeling, the third session or chapter 3 of Hybels' book. Hybels says, 'if we want to put apathy and self-indulgence to death, we need to get face to face to with those who are hurting. If we are going to overcome apathy, we need to allow ourselves to feel the pain of others and take some kind of meaningful action' (p. 28). Hmmmmmm, perhaps if we got out of our own way, we may find that someone else has it worse than us, right? Maybe, if we went out of our way for someone else, we may find that our current situation is actually a blessing and not as bad as we think it is. 

One time when I was in college, I had a roommate that I didn't bother to invite to my house for the holidays. I wasn't thinking about anybody else, but myself and what I was going to do with my family. My roommate's family lived too far for her to visit for the holidays. When I returned to school I found out she didn't do anything for the holidays and she had nowhere to go. She just stayed in the dorm room and hung out with nobody. I felt really bad when she told me that. You see, my attitude was all about what I was I going to do in my life -- what was going on with my life, and I didn't think about anybody else. I wasn't a selfish person or anything like that, I just didn't feel like inviting her. I think maybe we had a disagreement at some point before that. Yet not inviting her wasn't right and let me tell you, I have felt left out so many times in my life after that. And it's during those times that I remember that time. Don't get me wrong, I don't beat myself up over it. It's just something that stays in my mind and that's a good thing, because it keeps me grounded in how I can go about helping others. To this day, I don't like it when anybody feels left out. And as I a teacher I make it a point to ensure all of my students are treated the same way with the same resources. That's very important to me. 

There was another time when didn't have my car, because it was in storage in another state when I moved. Before I went without a car, I never thought about people who didn't have transportation. I just always took driving for granted. But after I had to get a ride from people and rely on them, I had a new appreciation for a little thing called, a car. Now it really doesn't matter what I drive. I'm not my car and I couldn't care less what anyone thinks about the car I drive. It doesn't matter anymore. All I know is that if I person needs a ride and I can help, I will. 

So what's the moral of what I think Hybel is trying to convey in this session of his book? Hebrews 13:1/2 comes to mind, which says, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hybels says, when we allow our heart to be touched by somebody else's life, that can help us overcome apathy (p. 30). When we can feel somebody else's pain, then we can be better equipped to help them through theirs. When we take a minute to appreciate and thank God for our lives and where we are, then maybe we can get out of ourselves and help somebody else who may need our help. Perhaps that apathetic, don't-care attitude will be more of a thankful one when we realize what God has really given us, huh? Just something to think about. 
 photo ISH Signature_zps7zfuxzga.png

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Protecting My Peace - Day 98 - Momentum and Movement, That’s What's Up

Click to listen to current podcast episode. “Never Giving Up” are power-words — strong affirmations that give us momentum and movement. That’s what’s up. We can do so much more in our lives when we have momentum and movement. It’s about standing, literally and not sitting or laying around feeling sorry for ourselves. I used to do that once upon a time and that sorrowful thinking is for the birds. We don’t have to be down. We can get up and get going even if we start small. In fact, I love starting small, because it helps set a firm foundation of habits and routines. Momentum and movement will help us get and maintain a position of strength to do what God says we can do. CLICK  to get my latest ebook collection that will help you get MOVING regarding the things you want in your life.  

God blesses whomever he wants to bless, whenever he wants to bless them

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. When I was going through a dark time -- when I had nothing -- there was a certain person who helped me sometimes. She helped me whenever she basically felt like it, but she did help, and for that I'm appreciative. But, something interesting happened after I started growing out of my despair. Something interesting started happening when I no longer needed her for anything. And something interesting happened even though I remained kind and grateful towards. The interesting thing that happened was that she started hating on me. She started treating me differently. At first I was really bothered by it, because I thought she and her husband were nice people I wanted in my life. I liked that they had a sense of compassion and were interested in helping people who were down and low. That really appealed to me, because I was raised that way; my mother was raised that way; her mother was raised that way, and it goes back to as fa

Protecting My Peace - Day 96 - Disciplining Ourselves for Next Level Greatness

Click to listen to today's podcast episode. When it comes to next level greatness, we have to know that applies to us, not just everyone else. Do you know what God has for you? Do you? He has GREATNESS for you. Yes, YOU -- all of us. It's about doing what you can do and only you can do. You are the only one with your DNA -- none of us. is the same Yet, even when we're feeling down, discouraged, and out, those emotions are only temporary. None of us has it all together. Sometimes I procrastinate and put things off when I know I should be doing better. Yet, I am not as diligent and disciplined as I can be sometimes. Like when it comes to working out, I delay it, because I don't like it anymore. And although I love reading the bible, I haven't been reading it as often as I should lately. Yes, I, Sharon, the Faith Coach, do not do the things I'm supposed to do when I'm supposed to do them. And that my dear friends should not come as a shock to no one. It certa