Blind Spots
October 2-November 20, 2022
Blinded By Despair
November 20, 2022 • Eli Thomas
Sometimes it feels as though things are so overwhelming that we are lost and without hope. For Elijah this came in the wake of a great victory and he found himself wishing only to have his life end. But God didn't give up, he met Elijah in his time of need and gave him the care he needed to get back on his feet. What he did for Elijah he also does for you!
Blinded By Bitterness
November 13, 2022 • Orlie Trier • Jonah
The story of Jonah often gets boiled down to a kid's story about a guy being swallowed by a whale. But Jonah's life is so much more than a fish story! Jonah is controlled by his bitterness. His anger and hostility toward Nineveh is a grudge that causes him to miss out on the privilege of being God's agent of mercy and grace. Though he finally does as God instructs, he fails to find joy in God's work of salvation and ends up miserable and alone.
Blinded By Frustration
November 6, 2022 • Eli Thomas
Frustration occurs when minor irritations grow into something bigger that threatens to overwhelm our emotional stability. When we feel like things don't change or that we are constantly facing obstructions and roadblocks we can become overwhelmed. Often times frustration results in us lashing out at others as it overwhelms our restraint and bursts forth. Moses was well experienced with frustration and his actions caused him to lose out on God's favor.
Blinded By Fear
October 30, 2022 • Eli Thomas • Judges 6:1–11
We are all afraid. Fear can be a good thing- it helps us survive by telling us when to stand and fight and when to run away. But when fear becomes overwhelming it can completely paralyze us, making it impossible for us to live the life we are meant to live. Fear can keep us stuck and prevent us from developing into the people God intends us to be. This week in BLIND SPOTS we look at a man who has this battle. He was afraid to move but when he follows God out of his place of fear he becomes one of Israel's great leaders.
Blinded By Discouragement
October 23, 2022 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 1:1–18
When we experience an ongoing cycle of disappointment eventually it gets to be too much and it leads to discouragement and a loss of hope. And when we are discouraged we can reach the point where we give up. This is exactly where Hannah finds herself in the beginning of 1 Samuel. But rather than let her emotions get the best of her, she makes a change. She checks her blind spot and gives it over to God. Disappointment and discouragement do not have to get the best of us if we trust God with our hearts.
Blinded By Arrogance
October 16, 2022 • Eli Thomas • Judges 13—16
The Bible cautions us to be wary of pride but is it really such a big deal? The life of Samson is a life of both arrogance and insecurity which find their roots in pride. He was chosen by God and used for God's purpose but ended up dead alongside God's enemies. His pride led to his fall. Is pride controlling your life and leading you to great loss? Check your blind spot!
Blinded By Anger
October 2, 2022 • Eli Thomas • Genesis 4:1–7, James 4:1–4
God warned Cain that his anger was sin "crouching at his door." Anger creates a blind spot that obscures it's ramifications and so like Cain, our anger often leads us to sin. God encourages us to see our blind spots for what they are because when we are aware we can look for the trouble lurking where we cannot see.