Chapter 25- Franciscan Villa Apartments
Channel: Crisis of Belief- Path to a Spirit-Filled Life
Date: 21/12/2023

Crisis Of Belief 
...Path to a Spirit-Filled Life 

Chapter 25
Franciscan Villa Apartments

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23–24

A Teaching Moment

Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul I experienced during that desperate come-to-Jesus meeting is synonymous with the narrow path Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7:13–14. More than once, mental anguish had left me curled up in a fetal position, asking God to end my misery. In these times of distress, I experienced fear, confusion, anxiety, uncertainty, and doubts about God. I felt taken into a valley, a Valley of Crucified Thoughts, where I had to stretch my faith muscles. In those places, God crucifies our soulish thoughts to perfect our faith, sometimes turning our world upside down to teach us what is right side up.

The Narrow Gate ~ Matthew 7:13–14
[Jesus said,] “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

The Ways of the Lord ~ Isaiah 55:8
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

The Kernel ~ John 12:23–28
Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is why I came! Father, bring glory to your name.”

Self-Reflection
• Is my identity tied to my ministry?
• Who am I without a ministry job or a title?
• Do I find my identity in Christ in seasons of testing?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you for every season, including the seasons in the valley that perfect my faith. I surrender all my soulish thoughts, anxiety, doubts, and fears to you. I exchange them for faith and hope in you, my Lord and Savior. As I walk through the Valley of Doubt and Fear, thank you that you are with me, comforting and strengthening me. (Meditate on Psalm 23).

Notes:_______