Page 21 - First Steps 2023

We’re emotionally volatile creatures—we have up days and down
days. It’s normal, and the transformation Jesus is doing in us takes time.
That’s why it’s important to base your friendship with Jesus on your

will and not your emotions. To fuel your friendship with confident trust, not
your read on your circumstances.
If you’ll stay faithful to Jesus during the dips in life, you’ll emerge
victorious. Your joy will return. And your trust will grow as a result.

C
A D

B
Look at the diagram and notice that while there are up and down
days the direction is up. Also note that the last low point on the diagram
is higher than the high point at the beginning. As you grow in Christ, your
low points will be higher than your high points when you first began
following Jesus.

Mark on the diagram where you are now—at a high or low point, in an
ascending or descending slant.
Then talk with your discipler about this:
• What issues in your life seem to send your emotions into a nose
dive most powerfully: relationships, finances, health, or something else?
• What’s your confidence level that Jesus can help you with that is-
sue—and why do you answer as you do?

• When you consider that list of where doubts come from, which one
best describes the source of your doubts?
• What’s a doubt you have now that you and your discipler can pray
about?
When doubt or discouragement comes, or you’re experiencing a
difficult temptation, that’s the time to call for reinforcements. Call your
discipler.

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