Message Guide – Through the Lens, Week 5 | You’re Not You When You’re Hungry
We can all feel impatient sometimes, and in the age of Google searches and two-day shipping it may seem like we shouldn’t have to wait for anything.
However, there is a dangerous side to our desire for instant gratification. We can become so impatient for the things we want that we begin to feel hungry for them.
Key Takeaways
You’re not you when you’re hungry. You’re you when you’re his.
We are not ourselves when we are hungry. We make decisions and concessions that may appease our hunger in the short term but will never truly satisfy it in the long term.
Fortunately, God’s Word has wisdom in it that can help us withstand our impatient impulses and find contentment in the moments that actually matter most.
When we look through the lens of what God intends for our lives, we will see that he has the long game in mind. He isn’t worried about this one moment because he sees our lives from beginning to end.
When we remember that we are his and we stay committed to pursuing that relationship, we will find true contentment with exactly what he has already given us.
Pray
Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.
Father, one of your many beautiful names is El Shaddai, meaning “All Sufficient and Almighty God”. You said everything we NEED is found in you. Help us to be led by you and your truth, not what our feelings or emotions dictate to us.
Lord, help us to know when we are spiritually hungry. Remind us to feed only on you, the Bread of Life, not fleshly desires. Only you can satisfy.
Holy Spirit, help us to be content in every season. Help us rejoice in trials so they produce the endurance we need for the hard times, like Paul said in Romans 5. Thank you, Jesus for the victory.
Worship
Bring the worship set from this weekend into your slot and spot. Praise God and choose joy and contentment exactly where he has planted you.
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. – 2 Peter 1:3
- Take You at Your Word – Cody Carnes
- Mighty Name of Jesus – Hope Darst
- What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship
Learn
This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.
Read
- Genesis 25:27-34
- John 10:10
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Philippians 4:11-13
- Philippians: The Secret of Contentment
Watch
- Genesis 12-50 Overview from Bible Project
Listen
- Genesis 25 – Jacob and Esau from Through the Word
Reflect
Reflect on these questions during your slot and spot/discussions with others.
Pastor Brad compared our attitude toward impatience to the Snickers slogan, “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” With so much at our fingertips, our mood can be affected when we have to wait.
- Would you describe yourself as patient or impatient? Why?
- What is something you have been waiting for? How would you describe your attitude as you wait?
- In what ways have you tried to make things happen on your own strength? What would that look like if you relied on God to provide instead?
In Genesis 25:27-34, Esau trades his birthright to Jacob (his brother) for a bowl of stew. After reading this story in the Bible, what “bowls of stew” (short term satisfaction) have you traded for long term contentment?
- How often do you make decisions with the short term gain in mind, rather than considering the long term impact?
- Have you ever made a decision that felt necessary, but later you realized was short sighted? What did you learn from that?
In a world where online spaces constantly show us what others have, it’s easy to feel dissatisfied, but true contentment comes from committing to our relationship with God, not on our own timeline.
- Have you ever walked through a season where you could not get what you felt you needed? How much of that “need” was influenced by what other people had?
- What does commitment look like in your relationship with God?
Next Steps
This week, make some commitments to things that will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus for the long term:
- Take a step to start serving God’s people. Go to Plugged In and find your place and part on the J-Team.
- You signed up – now go to your J-Group and get to know some other believers who will support and encourage you in your walk with Jesus.
