PART I

Name Your Burden

* * *

TO PREPARE FOR PART I, PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTION AND CHAPTERS 1, 2, AND 3 IN MISSY'S BOOK BLESSED, BLESSED ... BLESSED.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. JESUS OF NAZARETH

Many people would agree that the deepest need we human beings have is for control. Or at least a sense of control. We want to believe that we have a say in how our lives are going to turn out, that our opinions actually count regarding the circumstances we're willing to face.

This is why it is so upsetting to us when we learn that we have a horrible illness, or that the money that was supposed to come in isn't coming, or that the spouse we adore has had an affair. "This isn't what I signed up for," we silently protest. "This isn't how my life was supposed to turn out."

In chapter 1 of Blessed, Blessed ... Blessed, Missy writes of two unexpected situations that would radically affect every single aspect of her life. One was the visibility that came from being part of the television show Duck Dynasty. The other, not nearly as joyous, was the realization that the perfect little girl she'd always dreamed of having would be born with special needs.

My Impossible Burden

As you come to this guided journal, you likely have a series of situations in your life that have unfolded in unexpected ways. You are in a different job than you thought you'd be in. Or you are living in a city you never thought you'd call home. Or a child of yours is making unwise decisions. Or your physical health has taken an unfortunate turn. Whatever the specific circumstance, perhaps it seems as if God has abandoned you to it, and the burden you now face seems impossible for you to bear.

What is the burden in your life you most wish God would lift? Write it on the following lines using as many, or as few, words as you'd like.

My Impossible Burden __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Some "Impossible Burdens" We May Bear:

* An ungrateful spouse

* An infertile womb

* Job loss and financial chaos

* The betrayal of a friend

* A wayward child

* A perplexing medical diagnosis

With your group

If you're comfortable doing so, share with your group the burden you're bearing.

For most of us, our "impossible burden" is intensely upsetting because it represents an expectation we had for our lives that, to our great disappointment, is going unmet. We expect to have gainful employment, financial stability, a loving spouse, respectful children, and good health as we journey through this thing called life. We expect our family members to be supportive of us and our friends to be faithful to us. This is why it hurts deeply when our realities are not fulfilled.

With your impossible burden fresh on your mind, spend a few minutes thinking about the unmet expectations it represents. As it relates to the burden you are bearing, what goals or ideals did you have for your life that just aren't panning out? Log your thoughts on the following lines. An example has been provided for you.

Example: My expectation was that I'd have a job by now, but my reality is still no work, still no hope.

__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

With your group

Discuss one or two of your unmet expectations with your group, noting any themes that emerge among everyone's lists.

In the first part of her book, Missy noted several emotional reactions to the news about the health of her pregnancy with Mia, including feeling unsettled, unprepared, stunned, disbelieving, grief stricken, devastated, and also, later, resolved. When we come face-to-face with the realization that a core expectation we have held about life is at risk of not being met, big emotions like these tend to surface.

What about you? Review the list of unmet expectations your impossible burden represents, and then note the emotions you have experienced (and perhaps continue to experience) as a result on the following lines.

__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Telling the Truth to God

In the introduction to her book, Missy says plainly that walking with God has been her sanity throughout every trial she has known. Knowing Him, trusting Him, crying out to Him when the outlook was bleak, and turning to her faith instead of caving in to fear and pain have proven to be the most valuable actions she could take. And just as she first discovered during her early days of ministry and marriage, one of the most profitable ways for us to know God is to read and meditate on His Word.

How would you describe your level of reliance on God's Word, the Bible, as you go about your day-to-day life? Check one of the following boxes.

[] CONSTANT. I read it every day and can't imagine life without the guidance and encouragement it offers.

[] OFTEN. I read the Bible from time to time but not every day.

[] OCCASIONAL. During some seasons of my life, I've been known to read God's Word. But it's been awhile ...

[] RARE. Honestly, I've never really made a practice of reading the Bible.

What personal benefits would you hope to receive, or have you already received, as a result of increasing your faithfulness to reading God's Word, especially during burdensome times? Jot down your thoughts on the following lines. An example has been provided.

[] Example: A sense of peace, even when life feels chaotic.

[] _______________________________________________________

[] _______________________________________________________

[] _______________________________________________________

In the pages of Scripture, we find people with hopes and dreams and sorrows similar to ours, people who also carried burdens that felt utterly impossible to bear. And as we watch them wrestle with their big emotions before God, we gain insights into how to win the knock-down, drag-out matches with fear and faithlessness that we ourselves sometimes face.

In the Old Testament book of Psalms, a handful of the entries are known as "psalms of lament," and here we find a treasure trove of lessons to be learned. In these particular psalms, the writers address God by describing all of the terrible things that are happening to them, as well as several reasons why God should quickly intervene. They then promise God that in exchange for a divine rescue operation, they and all of their fellow believers will offer praises of thanksgiving to their King. In other words, "Our lives are bad, but You, God, are good, so do something really good to make all our bad go away."

You probably can relate to this sentiment of wishing a good God would remove the bad parts of your life. Based on your impossible burden, what would such an exchange involve? Infertility for fertility? Insecurity for security? Despair for hope? On the following lines, note the bad things you wish God would remove and also the good things you wish He'd replace them with.

God, please take these bad things ... _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

and replace them with these that are good. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

Now take a look at the following excerpt from Psalm 44, one of the psalms of lament, circling all of the emotionally charged words and phrases you can find. A sample has been provided.

O God, we give glory to you all
day long
and constantly praise your
name.
But now you have
tossed us aside
in dishonor.
You no longer lead our
armies to battle.
You make us retreat from our
enemies
and allow those who hate us
to plunder our land.
You have butchered us like
sheep
and scattered us among the
nations.
You sold your precious people
for a pittance,
making nothing on the sale.
You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn
and derision to those
around us.
You have made us the butt of
their jokes;
they shake their heads at us
in scorn.
We can't escape the constant
humiliation;
shame is written across our
faces.
All we hear are the taunts of
our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful
enemies.
Wake up, O Lord! Why do you
sleep?
Get up! Do not reject us
forever.
Why do you look the other
way?
Why do you ignore
our suffering and
oppression?
We collapse in the dust,
lying face down in the dirt.
Rise up! Help us!
Ransom us because of your
unfailing love.

PSALM 44:8-16, 23-26