During this week, we will be reading and reflecting on Chapter 5 of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. In this chapter, Lysa asks us to step into the role of painter instead of the observer even when “making art provides uncomfortably accurate feedback about the gap that inevitably exists between what you intended to do, and what you did.”
Day One:
A.) Reflect on Chapter 5
B.) Can you relate to hearing a voice that says, “Not. Good. Enough”? How are you learning to silence that negative voice so you can hear God’s voice instead?
C.) Lysa writes, “God wants us transformed, but Satan wants us paralyzed.” With that distinction in mind, write down the words you think God and Satan are each trying to say to you in your current situation.
D.) Romans 12: 1-2
Day Two:
A.) How many times have you let imperfections cause you to be too hard on yourself and too harsh with others?
B.) The enemy will do anything he can to prevent us from moving closer to God or connecting more deeply with other people.” What are some of his strategies for keeping you from moving closer to God and connecting more deeply with other people?
D.) Colossians 3:12-17
Day Three:
A.) What might it look like in your daily life for you to bring compassion as you show up for others?
B.) Who needs your compassion for their imperfections? How can you extend compassion to them? Come up with at least one concrete way to show up with compassion in someone’s life this week.
C.) 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Day Four:
A.) How can you move closer to God today?
B.) In what ways have you quit trying? Consider the examples of quitting that Lysa offers in the book and write down your own examples.
C) 1 Peter 5:10
Day Five:
A.) How does the expectation of perfection affect you?
B.) How does the thought that you are unfinished and therefore imperfect encourage you?
C.) Remember, to show true compassion to other people, you must also show compassion to yourself. What are some steps you can take to apply this to yourself?
All questions are quoted or paraphrased from “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” or the “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Study Guide” by Lysa TerKeurst.
Dandelion Lives 