Favour Follows the Fight预览

THE SOUND OF THE FIGHT

The sound of your tormentors will always be audible in every fight you face, but which sounds are you going to choose to tune into? Finding favour in the fight is dependent on making wise choices about which SOUNDS we listen to during the fight.

1. Are you listening to THE TAUNTS OF YOUR TORMENTORS or THE CHEERS OF YOUR TRIBE?

The tormentors will always be with you, but you can drown them out with the sounds of your tribe. Are you building a strong tribe? You need a tribe who are not easily shaken! It starts with a commitment to consistently belonging and contributing to a faith community, joining a team and a life group, but that’s just the starting point of your tribe.

RACHEL’S STORY: I’ve spent much a couple of years intentionally building a strong tribe to help me win the battles I face. I read the book “People Fuel” by Dr John Townsend which inspired me to be brave and bold enough to ask people to join my tribe and cheer for me as I pursue my God-given destiny! I began with seeking to build a relationship with a great local doctor who can get to know me and help me pursue physical and mental health and well-being. I also invited a small group of women I know and trust to meet one hour a month via zoom so we can mutually encourage and inspire one another. Finally, I began a relationship with a professional supervisor whose job is to let me vent, process my battles and then move forward from them. Whom could you invite to join your tribe so you can hear your tribe’s cheers louder than the taunts of your tormentors?

2. Are you listening to THE JEERS OF THE ENEMY or THE WORDS OF THE WINNER?

The entire Israelite army “heard” the same ridicule and threats from Goliath that David did (1 Samuel 17). Why did David take down the giant while the Israelites stood paralysed by fear? Because although they all HEARD the same words from Goliath, David chose to LISTEN to the promise of God. Listening to God activates your faith. Listening to the lies of the enemy will paralyse you. No matter what you hear today – listen to God.

3. Are you listening to THE SOUND OF SELF or THE SOUND OF WORSHIP?

Eugene Peterson (author of The Message paraphrase of the Bible) describes worship like this: “Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves and attend to the presence of God.”David chose to fight his battle against Goliath armed only with his belief in and worship of God, no fancy armour, just a certainty that God was the victor and fighting in HIS NAME was the only way to win

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you do this week to arm yourself with a stronger sense of faith in God’s authority and victory already won for your battles?

2. Which of these practical strategies helps you most when you are trying to focus on the right SOUNDS during your battles: Words to live by? Reading the Bible every day? Completing a Bible plan with friends? Listening back through old messages on the Beyond Church podcast?

3. What is your favourite worship music or song to listen to when you need to be reminded that your battle is the Lord’s? Why not try searching for the Beyond Church Battle Playlist on Spotify or Apple Music if you need some inspiration?

4. Try a mindfulness exercise right now: close your eyes and focus on CHOOSING to hear the sounds which help you feel calm and peaceful and remind you of God’s favour in your life.