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didn't appear significant to him?
    Thankfully for Naaman, he listens to his friends and realizes his folly. Once he obeys and gets into that muddy river seven times, he is healed immediately. His life is forever changed.
    I tell you this story because it describes my experience in Chicago so perfectly. When I walked into that first session, I felt like Bill had taken me to a dirty river. I wanted to leave—to head back home to familiar waters. This trip seemed like such a long way to travel for something so…so lackluster and disappointing. But I can't even imagine where I would be now if I hadn't gone…and made the decision to stay.
    By the time we left that weekend, God had begun a work in me that changed my life completely. God used Jack Frost—the hardened sea captain gone transparent—and his ministry of the Father's love, to save my life.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? FICKLE FEELINGS
Make a list of as many feelings as you can think of (such as joy, fear, embarrassment, excitement, etc.):______________________________
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Look at the list you made in question one. Which of those feelings is your favorite? _____________________________________________
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Which feeling is your least favorite? ___________________________
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When you feel the feeling you mentioned in question three, what do you usually do about it (such as chocolate therapy)? _______________
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How does doing what you do in number four make you feel? ________
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How does this become a never-ending cycle? ____________________
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Do you think it's good for us to base our decisions on our feelings? Why or why not? __________________________________________
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How have your feelings ever misled you? _______________________
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How do you think God can use our feelings for His purposes? _______
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PEP TALK: GOD CREATED US WITH FEELINGS
    Sometimes feelings can be a real frustration. I can't even recall the number of times I've said, “I hate the way I feel today.” Mix in hormonal fluctuations, and it can get really ugly fast. But, God actually made us with feelings, and I believe He uses them for His purposes when we submit to Him.
    I once heard it said that our feelings are like the indicator lights on the dashboard of a car. Just as the “check oil” light warns us that something needs attention in our engine, a feeling of frustration can warn us that something needs attention in our hearts. I think the goal is to accept that we have a myriad of feelings, and we should thank God for them. But we also need to know that sometimes they are misleading. We must pray for the Holy Spirit's wisdom in order to accurately interpret and act upon what we feel.
FORWARD FOCUS: WISDOM
Psalm 51:6—Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 111:10—The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures