What Kind of Unglued Am I?

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The above chart is not for labeling but for identifying.  You may discover you fit into more than one category depending on the person you are interacting with and the situation.

The "four categories of unglued reactions...

Exploders who shames themselves

Exploders who blames others

Stuffers who builds barriers

Stuffers who collect retaliation rocks"

Exploders who shame themselves do not necessarily do it by getting loud.  It might be by just turning up the intensity.

"Soul integrity is honesty that's godly."

"Saying 'I'm fine' to keep the peace, when we're not fine, isn't honest."

"Forgiveness is mandatory; reconciliation is optional."

"...when we are wise, we pause and measure our words to get at the heart of the issue without sabotaging the heart of our offender."

Not sure where you fit?  Take the Unglued Assessment .

Okay, know where you are?  Do you find yourself in all four categories at different times?  Just one or two sound like you?

Did you take the on-line assessment?  Did it surprise you?

The Prisoners

"Labels only stick if you let them."
How have you labeled yourself?  How have you spoke to yourself in ways you would, "never let another person speak," to you?

Examples:  "You're so _____________.

You always ______________.

Things will never get better.  You're just _____________."

"'O God, chisel me.  I don't want to be locked in my hard places forever.  I want to be free.  I want to be all that You have in mind for me to be.'  It is beautiful when the Master chisels...He allows the unglued moments to make us aware of the chiseling that needs to be done."

Three things to help make the labels less sticky:
1. Identify the label as a lie meant to tear you down.
2. Choose to view the circumstances as a call to action, not a call to beat yourself up mentally.
3. Use the momentum of tackling one label to help tackle more.

I'm Not a Freak-out Woman

 

"We won't develop new responses until we develop new thoughts.  That's why renewing our minds with new thoughts is crucial."

"I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control."

"Could I trust God and believe that He is working out something good even from things that seem no good?  You see, if I know there is potential good hidden within each chaotic situation, I can loosen my grip on control."

"I can rest in the fact that God is in control.  Which means I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control."

Have you erased the word impossible from your vocabulary?  Christ can do all things including helping us with our actions and reactions.

Have you redefined your trajectory?  How are you choosing to make "imperfect progress"?

Looking for real life examples of, "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  (2 Corinthians 10:5)

An Invitation to Imperfect Progress

 

It doesn't have to be bathroom towels.  I bet it isn't for most of us.  However, in the opening chapter of Unglued it is bathroom towels.  That leave Lysa Unglued and in need of "deal(ing) with what comes out of my mouth."  The process for dealing with what comes out is imperfect progress.
Lysa defines imperfect progress as, "Imperfect changes are slow steps of progress wrapped in grace."

Questions for thought, not necessarily discussion:
"What is my problem?  Why can't I seem to control my reactions?"
"Do I want my headstone to read, 'Well, on the days she was nice she was really nice.  But on the days she wasn't, rest assured, hell hath no fury like the woman who lies beneath the ground right here'?"

Questions for discussion:
Are you a stuffer or an exploder?
How does the unglued behavior of others effect you?
What defeating thoughts do you have that hinder you making changes?

Final thought:
"...God gave me emotions so I could experience life, not destroy it.  There is a gentle discipline to it all.  One I'm learning."

Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst

 

Our next book is Unglued.  Not for sure when discussion will begin.  Let me know if you are in need of a few days/weeks to be able to get your hands on this book.

Beyond Balance & The Real Life of Love

"...what kids love and remember most are the simple things--and the free ones." (p 149)

How do you deal with the "anxiety" produced from "increased options...increased awareness of the possibilities"?  (Essentially, How do you weed through all the "good options"?) (p 137)
How do you "follow biblical guidelines rather than cultural trends or rigid sex roles that don't reflect biblical truth"? (p 138)
How do you deal with the hunger for "financial security" while "still provid(ing) care"? (p 140)
How do you take care of yourself? (p 146)
Do you pray for discernment in your spending habits? (p 148)