This exercise is primarily about your faith, but you can apply it to all facets of your life.

What is your biggest enemy?

Your desires
Death
Fear
Spirits
Persecution
Your government
A regrettable contract
Pollution
The devil
Dogmatic people
Other deities
Lack of vision
Negativity
Your self
A close relative
Aliens
Ignorance
Nonbelievers
Pride
Corruption
Other…
Other…

How much authority do these have in your life?

What is your approach to resisting?

List a bad memory that leads you to fear.

Name something you've never been through that you're afraid of happening.

Look at a stressful situation in your life. What are the spiritual undercurrents?

Name a situation in your life where you are treated unfairly. Circle a term that describes it.

Annoying
Restrictive
Oppressive
Abusive
Disabling

Is there a way you can make this situation more tolerable?

Do you have anyone you can trust to talk to about it?

Would reporting this offense stop the person from continuing their pattern?

What do you usually say to others in this position? Do you take your own advice?

Do you feel trapped?

Do you feel like your brain and dreams are moving faster than your actions?

Do you have actual physical limitations?

List people that you secretly blame for blocking your way.

If a group of people invented an ideal process of making a productive, safe, healthy, happy life for all, what could they do?

Do you distrust the concept of an ideal society?

Have you ever seen a society or group that strives to lift up the talents and abilities of each member, meet needs, and bring contentment to its members?

Have you ever seen a community that attempted an ideal concept and was unable to bring the best to its members?

Think of an idealistic group that you are familiar with. Anything that's on your mind now: a kibbutz, a political movement, a family, bowling team.

Were the goals consistent?

Were the goals agreed upon by all?

Did one or two people declare the direction of the whole group?

Did a small segment of the group do most of the work?

Did all members find a fair level of respect?

Did all the members have similar experiences?

Did anyone feel trapped?

Did members intimidate those who hinted about leaving?

Did leaders or members take any action to keep discontented members? Describe.

Was there a hierarchy?

If so, what attributes or skills put people at the top?

What did you think of others who blatantly tried to raise their rank?

Were there secrets that only those close to leadership knew?

If you overheard any, did they serve to exclude, deceive or put down others?

Did leaders talk about moving people strategically without those individuals knowing? If so, was it appropriate?

If you were involved with this group, how long did it take you to wholeheartedly embrace it?

What were your hesitations in the beginning?

the cost
didn't know people
seemed inaccessible
something didn't make sense
heard rumors about it
had too many other things to do
didn't like someone in the group
didn't feel adequate.

Do you sense that the people around you honestly pray for you?

Are the people around you concerned for everyone's best welfare, in the areas of health, finances, promotion, reputation, using talents, using wisdom?

What are some ways you could grow in advocating for others?

What does the Bible say about dealing with adversaries?

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV

So with you, as you are eager to have spiritual powers, aim to be rich in those which build up the community.

I Corinthians 14:12 JB

The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37:40 NIV

As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against another. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, put on love, the perfect bond.

Colossians 3:12-14 JB

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. …Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

Colossians 3:21, 23,24 NIV

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.

Isaiah 54:17 NIV

Put on the full armour of God so as to be able to resist the devil's tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens. That is why you must take up all God's armour, or you will not be able to put any resistance on the evil day, or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full.

Eph. 6:11-14 JB

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

James 4:6-10 RSV

Wisdom builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. …The talk of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve him. …A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

Proverbs 14: 2-6 RSV

It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice…. A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Prov. 18:5-9 NIV

Don't get involved in arguing over unanswerable questions and controversial theological ideas…this kind of thing isn't worthwhile; it only causes harm.

Titus 3:9 LB

Remind your people to obey the government and its officers, and always to be obedient and ready for any honest work. They must not speak evil of anyone, nor quarrel, but be generous and truly courteous to all.

Titus 3:1,2 LB

Look up other verses online

God, I realize that unforgiveness keeps me in despairing cycles and destroys others. Help me use my experiences constructively. You have always been a champion of the underdog. Please cover my undeservings with your grace and be the defender of justice that you are, in my situations. Thank you!

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