Change Your Frame. Change Your Life.
Part Four: The Solution is Dissolution
Psalm 119:49, Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.
Hope is expectation. What do you expect?
"In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." – Eric Hoffer
Dissolution is: “The act or process of dissolving”
Rather than wrestle with problems, first determine if the problem IS the problem. Some “problems” need to be dissolved or deconstructed. The solution is dissolution. Surface problems should be dissolved so that underlying problems may be seen and resolved.
There is no solution in staring at a problem. There is no hope in the problem. I did not say you were hopeless. I am saying there is no hope in the problem itself.
Hope is expectation, so hope lies beyond the problem. We don’t wait on problems, we work towards solutions to problems.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What does it mean to dissolve a problem?
2. How is denial different from dissolution?
3. Why is there no hope in focusing on a problem?
YOUR CASE STUDY (Based on examples in the teaching):
What is your problem?
What is the core problem?
What do you need to dissolve to get at the core problem?
Change Your Frame. Change Your Life.
Part Three: What Is In A Name?
Romans 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Genesis 17:5, No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
We are going to use the parable of a frame.
People whose name God changed, changed their frame, and changed their life. In our culture we use names as handles or identifiers. Call our name and we will look up. In the Bible, names have meaning and significance.
As new creations in Christ, God makes all things new. In the Bible, we often see that God changed someone's name in order to change their frame or purpose. Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, and Saul became Paul. In the context of Black History Month, Isabella Baumfree became Sojourner Truth. In every case, changing one’s name changed one's frame and changed the course of one's life.
Your family name has significance. In Christ, God has elevated your name above the letters and words to represent your purpose, your character, and your hope in God. Your given name doesn't have to change, but your frame and name in light of God's purpose can and should change.
Reflection Questions Based on the Teaching:
1. What is your frame?
2. Why did God change the names of some of His leaders and key people in the Bible?
3. How did changing someone's name change their frame?
4. How can your frame and name change without actually changing your given name?
Change Your Frame. Change Your Life.
Part Two: Living by the Power of Another
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Not only have WE been crucified with Christ, OUR PROBLEMS have also been crucified with Him. We can live an empowered through Christ and re-frame problems as an opportunity. As part of being made in God's "Image and Likeness," humanity was designed be "fruitful and multiply," not only by having children, but being fruitful in every area of life.
The gift of a problem is activating your ability to flourish and thrive. It is essential to have self-awareness of your potential as well as your problems. We don't need to practice denial because we have been empowered by Christ to face every challenge victoriously!
Reflection Questions:
1. How have you been tempted to change your frame and purpose? 2. What do you need to stop denying so God can help you?
3. What do you look like when you are flourishing and thriving?
4. What does seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness look like?