True Deliverance from Danger

 

True Deliverance from Danger

Exodus 14: Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. ³ For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ ⁴ Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

 

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GOD was leading. HE told Moses where to camp and told him that HE was going to let Pharaoh pursue the children of Israel. GOD had the children of Israel move to a dead end that looked like Pharaoh would have a strategic advantage.

 

My Observations:

• The triune GOD led the children of Israel into a place that looked dangerous.
• GOD told Moses that HE was about to wipe out the Egyptians.
• Pharaoh let the people go, but wanted to bring the people back.

 

GOD seems to allow people to think they are in charge. This limiting belief hardens the heart, or solidifies a way of thinking that GOD is not necessary. GOD was setting Pharaoh up to be wiped out. GOD warned the children of Israel what HE was about to do.

 

I always believed that the children of Israel ended up at a bad place that GOD needed to provide rescue. This clearly shows that the camp at the Red Sea was part of GOD’s plan. I believe the same goes for the situation you are in. GOD has a victorious plan that.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS bold statement regarding Pharaoh?
• Are you in a situation that looks like your back is up against the wall and there seems to be no escape?
• Do you believe that GOD’s escape plan is to provide you with eagle’s wings so you can soar and your strength be renewed?

Cautious Perspective

Cautious Perspective

Genesis 8: ⁶ So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. ⁷ Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. ⁸ He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. ⁹ But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. ¹⁰ And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. ¹¹ Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ¹² So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.

 

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Salvation came with a price. While Noah and his family were saved, everyone else had died. The ark came to a sudden stop. No more rocking in the waves. Noah was probably nervous that the judgment of GOD was not finished. He may have noticed the predators were getting restless for the first time since the journey began. He chose a raven as his scout to see if he could unlock the door of the ark, knowing he only had one chance to open the door correctly.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shut the door and made it flood.
• Noah only had one chance to open the door and if he did it too soon, all would be lost.
• The ark may have landed in a way that no one could clearly see what was going on with the water and they had to rely on birds to bring back evidence that things were alright.

 

From walking daily with the LORD to being shut into an ark with a scared family, predators and prey; Noah was probably nervous. He had not heard anything from the LORD and the animals were probably showing him that the time was near to set everything free.

 

This mountain top experience was very scary and carried a huge responsibility. “What if I mess up?” may have been a question on Noah’s mind. But he kept his wits and cautiously got a perspective. It was time to leave the ark.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Noah’s cautious approach?
• Have you ever experienced deliverance from a huge problem that made you scared or nervous to take the next step?
• Can you take a deep breath and move forward with GOD, one step at a time?

Origin of Courage

Origin of Courage

1 Thessalonians 2: Our friends, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure. ² You know how we had already been mistreated and insulted in Philippi before we came to you in Thessalonica. And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the Good News that comes from him. 

 

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“There will be hundreds of people in the audience” were the words that made me nervous. I was asked to be one of the speakers at a regional meeting and I had never spoken to an audience of this size. I asked for tips to control my nervousness. One person said “practice”, another said “Don’t practice, use a three point outline.” The differing perspectives made me more nervous.

 

• I was scared to be in front of people.
• I worried about the validity of message.
• I replayed in my mind how I could possibly mess up in front of a lot of people.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed  the “opposition” they faced in places like Philippi and Thessalonica. They had been slandered, ridiculed and insulted. This could have been very discouraging if they had to rely on their own courage, but they did not have to.

 

My Observations

• Sometimes I get scared, BUT GOD is there to help me through my fears.
• Sometimes I get nervous, BUT GOD is there to calm me down and lead me to a still place.
• Sometimes I get anxious, BUT GOD is there to give me courage.

 

Mustering up courage when I am scared seems impossible. I mean, when I am fearful, I make fearful decisions. I may not even think straight enough to apply logic. Words like “Don’t be afraid” make me more afraid. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE says to me “I got this.” HE gives me the courage to speak about HIS SON when I am worried about what people may think or if someone may oppose HIS message. GOD gently reminds me that if HE is for me, who can be against me? I am glad GOD owns courage and is willing to give it to me to speak about the Good News that comes from HIM.

 

Challenge

• What opposition do you think the writers faced?
• Have you ever been worried, nervous or scared?
• Will you turn to the one who owns courage and ask HIM to give you the right words to present the “Good News” to those HE sends you to today?

Giving Instructions

Giving Instructions

John 11: ¹² Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” ¹³ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

¹⁴ Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

¹⁶ Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

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Pressure was building as the week’s end was getting closer. Not seeing the results I hoped for, I gave very specific instructions to everyone to follow, step by step. Too much was on the line and we had to be successful. When I stepped back, I noticed people were moving slower, because they were waiting on my next set of instructions.

• I made the mistake of managing every little step.
• I made the mistake of thinking I could control the situation by having everyone perform just like me.
• I made the mistake of making everyone feel nervous instead of inspired.

Thoroughly misunderstanding the situation, the disciples spoke up about Lazarus. Rationalizing what was said to them, they immediately thought he may be asleep. JESUS made it plain that he was, in fact, dead. Thomas braced himself for the situation. If Lazarus is dead, then we must be going there to die too. I mean, why go to a place where killers are lurking?

• JESUS wants me to believe that HIS ways are not my ways.
• JESUS wants me to know that HE clears things up in amazing ways, not the way I think.
• JESUS wants me to understand that HE can and will do anything, especially when I cannot see how the situation could possibly be resolved.

“Pray” is what people have told me when I am facing difficulty, so I do. But I find myself nervously giving GOD instructions to handle things the way “I” would like to see them resolved. Fortunately GOD doesn’t listen to the instructions but listens to my heart.

HE clears up the situation in HIS way and I always find HIS way was better than what I was thinking. HE tells me to let go of trying to control the situation so HIS power can be seen by many, so they can believe. I am glad HE is in control.

• Are you facing a difficult situation that you feel there is no way out?
• Do you pray for specific things to happen with your limited sight into the situation?
• Will you admit that you may not know why “this” is happening but allow GOD to work out the situation HIS way, in HIS time?

Thoroughly Protected

Ezekiel 35: ¹² Then you will know that I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.” ¹³ You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it. ¹⁴ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.

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We split up and ran in different directions to divide the would-be robbers. When I felt the coast was clear, I went back to the grocery store looking for my friend. As I walked into the store one of the detectives summoned me over. “Is he one of them?” he asked my friend. “No, he was the one I told you about who was being chased with me. He is my friend.” I never felt more relieved because they did catch the thugs and drove us home.

• Some people thought I was down and tried to kick me.
• Some people thought I was an easy target, and I was.
• Some people thought I could be taken advantage of and they were right.

We were outnumbered five to two. They even yelled out “Shoot them!” thinking that would stop our mad dash. The odds did not seem in our favor. BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD said “I have heard all the contemptible things” meaning HE is listening to those plotting against me.
• GOD said “You boasted against ME and spoke against ME without restraint and I heard it” meaning HE listens to those who think they do not need HIM and who are against those HE protects.
• GOD said “I AM the Sovereign LORD, I will make you desolate” meaning HE is going to take down those who try to harm me.

GOD provides special protection for those who HE gives a purpose. I did not know it at the time, but HE protected me through many other similar incidents. As I look back through all the times I needed protection, I cannot help but think “Why me?” GOD says to me “Because I want you to tell people about MY SON.”

GOD’s protection should never be wasted. HE protects me in order for me to spread the Good News about HIS SON.’’

• Are you scared?
• Are you full of fear?
• Can you let go of the situation ling enough to give it over to GOD and watch HIS deliverance?
• Will you walk in HIS strength and protection today?

Growing Up Quietly

Psalm 131: ¹ My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

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Memories are absolutely amazing, dancing around my head like little videos. My earliest memory is reaching for my bottle and knocking it over only to hear the sound of it shattering on the floor. Yes, it was glass. My weaning period from the bottle was difficult. I took to a famous cartoon character of the time, holding a facsimile of a blanket and sucking my thumb. The entire family tried to steer me from the dreaded thumb. Then one day, I just stopped and grew up.

• When I was a child I thought as a child.
• When I was a child I had to go through a weaning period.
• When I was a child I moved from one stage to the next, not knowing I could not stay at the last stage.

Growing up is sometimes difficult. The array of situations that can arise in life are vast, some great, some not so great. During these life events, I can run around screaming or I can relax and go through it in a different way.

• GOD wants me to get rid of any pride I may have.
• GOD wants my eyes to not desire the material things of this world.
• GOD wants me not to worry about matters HE is taking care of.
• GOD wants me to grow up.

Putting hope in GOD enables me to grow up. The harder the situation, the more I need GOD. I can no longer expect to drink from the bottle of life as a baby. GOD wants me to turn to HIM fully and place my hope in HIM always. GOD handles the matters that are greater than me.

• Are you still a child?
• Do you feel your life is out of control?
• Do you not know where to turn next?
• Can you place your hope in GOD?
• Will you stop concerning yourself with tomorrow and let GOD handle the “things too wonderful” for you?

Fasting Prayer Belief

Ezra 8: ²¹ There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. ²² I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” ²³ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

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Upon reading this I could not think of an example because the message was too powerful. There were too many elements that caught my eye.

Ezra declared a fast to humble the group.

            What I hear is I need to fast every now and then to see just how much I need GOD.

Ezra asked GOD for a safe journey, not only for himself but everyone who traveled with him.

            What I hear is I need to ask GOD for HIS protection of all those HE sends to me.

Ezra was ashamed to ask the king to protect them because of their belief in GOD’s deliverance.

            What I hear is belief takes faith and the acceptance of trouble or protection from GOD.

Ezra did what he said by fasting and praying and GOD answered their prayer.

            What I hear is believe and move forward because GOD is listening.

This is an amazing piece of history because GOD delivered a weak broken band of people, who were carrying valuable items, from thieves and enemies who could care less about them.  I imagine they didn’t sleep very well during this three day journey. I imagine they felt frightened yet driven to complete the task at hand.

Depending on GOD every step of the way must have felt pretty scary BUT GOD was faithful and protected them, not because they were sinless, but because HE is GOD.

• Are you about to go through a trial?
• Do you feel you are holding fast to your beliefs?
• Have you taken time to humble yourself by fasting and praying?
• Will you take the time to ask GOD for HIS protection of you, the people around you and your stuff?

My own strength is faulty

Judges 7: ² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

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⁷ The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.”

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With instructions from my brother I trekked to my high school early in the morning. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to get there on public transportation that day because I second guessed what was told to me and I missed busses and trains.

As I got closer to the school, I noticed thugs, bullies and gangs lurking about.

Finally when I arrived I breathed a sigh of relief, but that sigh was short lived as one of the teachers gave instructions on what I had to purchase, where my locker was and two thousand other laws I had to keep. I was overwhelmed. Will I ever graduate, alive?

• When I look at my strength I sometimes tremble with fear.
• When I see situations that are far larger than me I sometimes shutter with fear.
• When I think I have to solve a situation that is larger than my power I get stifled because of fear.

Fear makes me want to quit. I mean I think I am going to lose anyway, so why try? Maybe I should just go home, sit on the couch and ball up in the fetal position! BUT GOD has something different in mind.

• GOD takes me through many difficult situations only to show me HIS strength.
• GOD brings me through the battle to show me HE has already won the war.
• GOD says “where you are weak I can show MY strength.”

Battles are GOD’s specialty. HE knows the extent HE cursed the Earth and HE knows just how to protect me through very harsh and difficult times. HE wants me to rely on HIS wisdom, HIS love and HIS strength. My strength pales in comparison to HIS so HE wants me to trust HIM.

• Are you tired of trying things on your own?
• Are you just plain old tired?
• Won’t you look to GOD to solve and resolve your situation?
• Can’t you add trusting in the LORD to your plan?

Have Courage!

Numbers 32: ²⁰ Then Moses said to them, “Do what you have promised to do. Prepare yourselves to fight for the Lord. ²¹ Prepare yourselves and go across the Jordan River. Fight for the Lord until he has driven out his enemies in front of him.

²² “When the land is under the Lord’s control, you can come back here. Your duty to the Lord and Israel will be over. Then the Lord will give you this land as your own.

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Traffic seemed thick on this rainy day heading into work. Several drivers seemed persistent on cutting me off. At work it seemed like nothing but bad news spewed from each person I met. I felt unnerved when I heard about some of the larger issues.

Then one of the senior executives came to me and said “Take the weather with you!” He smiled and walked away whistling! “Why is he so happy? This is a rotten day and everyone around me is rotten!” I thought to myself.

• Listening to negative attitudes can rob me of my courage.
• My negative mindset can make me fearful.
• Seeing nothing but problems can make me lose my courage.

Despair and hopelessness come from me dwelling on what I can or cannot see. I look at the situation with sinful eyes and see my feeble abilities going up against the giant problem and fear, doubt and worry ensues.  How can I handle giant problems?

• I must realize that while I think I am fighting, it is really GOD who is striking the blows.
• I must get in the battle in order for GOD to do the fighting.
• I must have courage to face situations and admit I am weak so GOD can step up and show HIS strength.

If I run away from my problems and hide in the corner, the problems will overtake me and make me doubt GOD more and more. GOD wants me to step out on faith and HE will do the rest!

• Are you facing problems that seem much larger than you expected?
• Do you feel like running and hiding?
• Can you look at GOD’s might and know HE is GOD?
• Won’t you accept HIS awesome power and fight today?

Desperate to be a slave

Genesis 47: ²⁵ “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”

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“Incumbent” was the word I learned at the end of my college career. It meant I owed them some money and unless I came up with the cash, I would not graduate. I hadn’t done the math but I quickly figured my lack of income plus bills equals problems.

I panicked and went into the counselor’s office.  Taking out a loan was my option but I knew I needed to start paying within months of graduation. I needed a job! One company took a chance on me. I was saved. I could pay my bills.

• When bills pile up I get nervous.
• When cash is low I get nervous.
• When the future seems cloudy I get nervous.

The Israelites grew desperate and sold themselves into slavery. They sold their land and themselves because of a sever famine. They were desperate.

When I get desperate, I panic and will do pretty much anything for self-preservation.  This may mean working for groups I don’t want to work with.

• GOD understands my desperations and has taken them into account when building a plan for me.
• GOD understands my panicked behavior and wants me to settle down enough to listen to HIM.
• GOD understands my blindness to my situation and desires that I communicate with HIM to show my reliance on HIM.

In order for GOD to be supreme in my life I must be willing to accept HIS plan for me, the way HE designed it. This may mean some bumpy times but rather than becoming desperate HE wants me to become reliant on HIM.

• Are you becoming desperate?
• Do you feel panic ensuing?
• Won’t you look to GOD for peace?
• Can you turn you panic into helping someone else become calm by telling them about GOD’s love?

I too scream “JESUS!”

Luke 18:  ³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

 ³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

   “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

 ⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

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This is one of my favorite passages of the Bible! They tried to shut the beggar up and he screamed for JESUS louder. I remember times of pressure and not knowing where to turn but I put my faith in CHRIST. Let me tell you, when times got tough many people will tried to give me “their” plan and looked at me like I was crazy for trying to follow GOD.

• When times get tough and I don’t have a plan my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When all my plans seem to fall apart and things don’t seem to go my way my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When I look around and find more and more people in pain and I don’t have a solution my soul says “scream JESUS!”

I guess the reason I like this account of history is because it showed a person who was in dire need trying to work his plan, begging. Yes, that would feed him, maybe clothe him but he really desired more.

He screamed “JESUS” when he felt the opportunity was about to pass him by! He knew this was his last chance and he wanted to become whole. JESUS made him whole so guess what… I too scream JESUS!

• Are you blind about something?
• Do you feel you have lost your direction?
• Are your plans failing?
• Have you tried calling on JESUS with every fabric of your soul?
• Will you believe HE can and will “fix” everything in your life the way only HE can?

Keeping my head in the game yields results!

1 Peter 5: ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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Ring went the phone, yet I was afraid to answer it because a bill collector might be on the other side asking for their money. I was having one of those years when it seemed like everything was going wrong.

Tuition was due, my raggedy car seemed to be a money pit and my janitor job wasn’t paying enough to keep everything afloat. I felt discouraged and worried. My thoughts raced and I couldn’t think clearly.

• When I focus on life’s circumstances then I get discouraged.
• When I allow the devil to tempt me I fall easily to sin.
• When I listen to lies from the devil I doubt GOD’s love and power.

Many times in my life I have doubted GOD’s love for me.  I believed HE died for my sins, but didn’t quite care about my life here on earth.  I sometimes thought HE was lurking behind me, waiting for me to make another mistake so HE could pounce on me with punishment. Then when I looked at the world, it seemed out of control. Where is GOD in all of this?

• GOD knows the world is suffering so HE gives me strength to help others.
• GOD understands every pain I have faced and HE renews my faith daily.
• GOD knows my weaknesses and HE uses them to show HIS strength.

GOD’s love for me is untarnished, unadulterated, unblemished and unyielding. HE pursues me and applauds when I sincerely focus on HIM and HIS people. GOD is the GOD of grace, mercy and love. HE is the ultimate forgiver and the everlasting mercy monger. All HE asks me to do is “be alert and of sober mind” so I can see HIS love.

• Is it hard for you to see GOD’s love in your life?
• Do you think you are being punished constantly by GOD?
• Can you see GOD’s grace in the middle of your circumstances?
• Can you stop worrying to think clearly?

I can tell I’m nervous because I’m selfish!

Philippians 2:  ¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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There my mind goes racing again at 3:00 A.M. wondering if I passed that exam or if that presentation went well or if I got my point across in the argument. Many a sleepless night I’ve faced because of worry, doubt and fear and it seems like I wake up at the same time.

Thought after thought comes racing to my mind over what I could have said or what they said or did. Is there any rest?

• I think of something I want now it’s on my mind.
• I convince myself I really want “what I want” now it’s in my heart.
• I pray for the thing “I want” now I set the LORD up for possible failure.
• I sometimes get disappointed by not getting “what I want”, now I pout and blame GOD.

One of the reasons I get angry or nervous is because I get frustrated over a situation that GOD is in control of.  Blame is hurled at GOD because I want “my way” and HE has another plan. Unfortunately I do the same things over and over. GOD has another way.

• Unity in CHRIST makes me relax.
• Unity in CHRIST enables me to show what love really is.
• Unity in CHRIST comforts me in times of trouble.
• Unity in CHRIST turns my hard heart tender.
• Unity in CHRIST helps me show compassion.

Serving others occupies my “worry” time in ways that I can’t express. Each time I focus on serving someone else, I rest better. I also rest better when my ambitions are coupled with GOD.  HE tells me to do “nothing out of selfish ambition” which seems harsh at first, but makes sense.

• When my ambitions are couple with GOD I can’t lose.
• When my ambitions are couple with GOD I remain focused instead of worrying.
• When my ambitions are couple with GOD my selfishness goes away and unity reigns.

Unity is the one thing GOD seeks out of every human and it’s up to me to take the first step.

• Are you nervous?
• Could it be possible that you are selfish right now?
• What are you fighting about now?
• Do you want to restore the relationship?
• Can you take the first step towards reconciliation?