Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’?
The Fear of Failure
Peter’s Failures:
Failure #1: Faithlessness
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
—Matthew 14:31 (NLT)
Failure #2: Rebuke
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
—Matthew 16:22-23 (NLT)
Failure #3: Pride
Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
—Matthew 26:33-35 (NLT)
Failure #4: Asleep at the Wheel
Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
—Matthew 26:45-46 (NLT)
Failure #5: Violent Overreaction
Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
—John 18:10-11 (NLT)
Failure #6: Disowned Jesus
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
—Matthew 26:75 (NLT)
Two Lessons on the Fear of Failure:
Failure is a “What” Not a “Who”
Failure is a Place for “Restoration” not “Rejection”
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
—John 21:15-17 (NLT)
Fear of Failure
October 25, 2020
Loneliness
November 29, 2020 • Seth Wolverton
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’? Loneliness 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” —Genesis 2:18 (NLT) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. —John 10:10 (NIV) 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” —Matthew 18:20 (NLT) REALIZATION: We’re better together 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) TRUTH: Your mentality has the power to shift your reality. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23 (NIV) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) 45 “Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp. —Leviticus 13:45-46 (NLT) 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) TRUTH: The solution to someone’s loneliness is within your reach 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)
Depression
November 15, 2020
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin'? Depression When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them. —1 Kings 19:1-2 (NLT) Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” —1 Kings 9:3-4 (NLT) Four Keys to Win in the Valley of Depression: 1. Perspective “Before any great achievement, some measure of the same depression is very usual…. Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London….This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry.” —Charles Spurgeon 2. People Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. —1 Kings 19:4 (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) 3. God’s Presence I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. —Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” —1 Kings 19:9-10 (NLT) “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. —1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT) 4. Purpose Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came… —1 Kings 19:15 (NLT)