Welcome to the third talk in the Discovering Our Dignity series! In this video, we will be exploring the story of Abigail, a lesser-known woman in the Bible, as told in the book of First Samuel. The focus of this talk is on the theme of loneliness and how we can feel like we are going it alone, even within relationships. The speaker, who shares a personal anecdote about her own experience of loneliness, acknowledges that many people, including herself, have experienced seasons of loneliness. However, through Abigail’s story, we will learn about finding wisdom, strength, and nourishment for the soul, and discover how God is always with us, even in our loneliest moments. So, if you have ever struggled with loneliness, you will definitely relate to Abigail’s story and find hope and encouragement in this video.
In this talk, we will delve into the options presented when feeling alone, such as worry, anger, and self-pity. We will learn about the importance of righteous anger, which focuses on God and reacts against actual sin, as well as the dangers of self-pity and how it blinds us to the needs of others. The speaker will guide us in understanding the role of suffering and pursuing holiness, and how shifting our focus to what Christ has given us can combat feelings of entitlement and discontentment. Additionally, we will explore the concept of putting on the armor of God to resist evil and stand our ground, and how worship and gratitude can serve as antidotes to self-pity. Abigail’s example will inspire us to take action and seek God’s help in difficult situations, reminding us that we are never alone because God is always with us. We will also learn that difficult times can be opportunities for growth and strengthening our faith, and how our response to trials can show others the reality of God’s strength and presence in our lives. Ultimately, our goal should be to bring glory to God in every circumstance.
Discovering Our Dignity Bible Study Video #3: Abigail — Going it Alone
Introduction
Welcome to the third talk in the Discovering Our Dignity series! So far, we have explored the stories of women in the Book of Genesis, Joshua, and Judges. Today, we will delve into the life of Abigail, a lesser-known woman in the Bible. In this video, we will focus on the theme of loneliness and how it can make us feel like we are going it alone, even within relationships. Abigail’s story provides hope and teaches us about finding wisdom, strength, and nourishment for our souls. Let’s dive in!
Abigail’s Story
Abigail’s story is found in the Book of First Samuel. She was married to a man named Nabal, who was harsh and mean. You can imagine how Abigail must have felt living with someone who treated her poorly. She felt alone and dissatisfied in her marriage.
One day, David, who was soon to be the king of Israel, protected Nabal’s shepherds. However, when David requested payment, Nabal refused. This could have led to conflict and violence, but Abigail intervened. She sent gifts to David to prevent any further trouble.
Options When Feeling Alone
When we feel alone, we often have a few different options on how to deal with those emotions. We can choose to worry, become angry, or fall into self-pity. However, there is also another option: righteous anger. Righteous anger reacts against actual sin and focuses on God. It is accompanied by godly qualities such as humility and grace.
Self-pity, on the other hand, leads to entitlement and blinds us to the needs of others. It can make us focus solely on our own circumstances, causing us to become closed off to the world around us. It is important to gain a different perspective on our circumstances and remember that God can use our suffering and loneliness for our growth and sanctification.
Understanding Suffering and Pursuing Holiness
Suffering plays a role in our lives, whether we like it or not. However, it is important to gain a different perspective and understand the purpose behind our suffering. By focusing on Christ’s gifts and the blessings He has given us, we can combat feelings of entitlement and discontentment. We can find joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Pursuing holiness is a lifelong journey. It involves making intentional choices every day. By putting on the armor of God, we can resist evil and stand our ground. The armor consists of truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and scripture. These components equip us to face the challenges that come our way.
Overcoming Discouragement
Discouragement is a common emotion that can creep in when we feel alone and isolated. However, by utilizing the armor of God, we can overcome discouragement. We can focus on the truth of who we are in Christ, the righteousness we have been given, the faith we have in Him, the salvation we have received, and the scripture that speaks life and truth into our situations.
Worship and Gratitude
Worship and gratitude are powerful antidotes to self-pity. When we worship God and express gratitude for all that He has done for us, our perspective shifts. We are reminded of His goodness and faithfulness. Worship and gratitude draw us closer to God and help us to see the bigger picture beyond our own circumstances.
Taking Action and Seeking God’s Help
Abigail’s story serves as an example of taking action and seeking God’s help in difficult situations. When she saw the impending conflict between David and Nabal, she didn’t sit back and do nothing. Instead, she gathered gifts and went to meet David. She sought God’s guidance and knew that action was required.
In our own lives, we can follow Abigail’s example by seeking God’s guidance and taking action when faced with loneliness and challenges. We can trust that God is with us every step of the way and that He will provide us with the strength we need.
Never Alone
One of the most powerful truths to remember is that we are never alone. God is always with us, even in our darkest moments. He is our refuge and strength. He walks beside us through every trial and hardship. We can find comfort and solace in His presence.
Opportunities for Growth and Strengthening Faith
Difficult times provide us with opportunities for growth and strengthening our faith. In the midst of loneliness and suffering, we can learn valuable lessons and deepen our relationship with God. We can develop resilience and perseverance. Our faith can be refined in the fire.
Not Wasting Lessons and Opportunities
When God allows us to go through seasons of loneliness and challenge, He has a purpose in it. We should not waste the lessons and opportunities for growth that He provides us. Instead, we should embrace them and learn from them. We should seek His wisdom and guidance in every situation.
Asking for Forgiveness and Focusing on Blessings
When we find ourselves filled with anger, self-pity, or discontentment, it is important to ask for forgiveness. We need to acknowledge our own brokenness and surrender to God’s healing and transformation in our lives. We should strive to focus on our blessings and the good things that God has given us. This shift in perspective can bring glory to His name and bring us closer to Him.
Bringing Glory to God
In every circumstance, our goal should be to bring glory to God. Whether we are going through seasons of loneliness or seasons of abundance, we should seek to honor Him in all that we do. Our response to trials and challenges can show others the reality of God’s strength and presence in our lives. May we always bring glory to Him in everything we do.
Conclusion
Abigail’s story teaches us valuable lessons about navigating loneliness and challenging circumstances. We can learn from her example of taking action, seeking God’s help, and trusting in His faithfulness. We are never alone, and God is always with us, ready to guide and strengthen us. Let us embrace the opportunities for growth and seek to bring glory to God in every circumstance.
Discovering Our Dignity is a 22-lesson Bible study that discusses how God worked in the lives of women in the Old and New Testaments. This video corresponds with lesson ten in the Discovering Our Dignity study guide, which you can purchase at https://shop.walkingwithpurpose.com/c…