Believing What You Teach

For a while now I have noticed that my "best" times of the week are when I am teaching. Most of you know that I facilitate two sections of GriefShare and two sections of Women's Study. I always feel the most sure about God when I am encouraging others to put their trust in Him. However, I have also observed that within minutes of finishing these groups, I can personally fall back into the very discouragements that I have just exhorted others to put aside! What's with that?

Providentially I came across an explanation for this toward the end of Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest. The author states this:

"I recently taught a seminar that was thirty hours of classroom teaching in five days. During breaks, students would ask if I was tired. I replied that it is a lot easier - and more blessed - to speak for a week than to listen. For better or worse, they seemed to believe me, especially by Friday. The reason I can get energized over the course of a week is the same reason preachers like to preach: When I speak the truth, I am built up in my faith. I demonstrate my certainty in the promises of God. In short, I see that I really believe what God says."

I have never "taught" so much in my life. My week consists of prep for these four classes, doing the four classes, and writing this blog six days a week. The rest of the time I love to help out people in need and organize mercy ministries for our church. I am thankful for the opportunity to do what I love. And despite my moments of doubt, God blesses me with assurances that He is faithful...especially when I am assuring others of His faithfulness to them.