Thrive Step 5 “Inventory”
Over the past few weeks, we have looked at “Inventory.” This is a critical step in both Re-Covery and in our Dis-covery. However, many programs fail to address the most important part of inventory… Assets.
In business, inventory is a complete accounting and evaluation of all the liabilities and all the assets of the company. Focusing solely on the liabilities leaves the accountant (you) in a very dark place, stuck dealing with the debt and broken equipment.
Following Steps 1 – 4: I CAN’T, GOD CAN, LET GOD and DAILY DEVOTION, Step 5, INVENTORY is a big one.
Before we look at what needs to be done to improve our company (the life we manage), we need to know what tools we have to work with. We need to know our capabilities and everything we have going for us… and often, we don’t realize just how equipped we actually are to face the mountain ahead.
Our assets include not only our Spiritual Gifts and our Love Languages. We also must recognize the following important truths before we dig into the pain, failures and disappointments of our past.
What God Says About Me (Identity)
What God Has Given Me (Position)
What God Promises Me (Promises)
Why God Created Me (Purpose)
This keeps the inventory truth-based rather than shame-based.
What God Says About Me (My Identity in Christ)
Dr. Neil T. Anderson ~ What God says about you is foundational. Before you ever deal with a single struggle, you need to know who you actually are. I've found that struggling believers—and I mean all of them—have one thing in common: they don't know who they are in Christ, nor do they understand what it means to be a child of God.
Start with who and what Scripture says you are. You're a child of God. That's not sentimental—it's ontological (it is the nature of our being). It's who you fundamentally are. From there, you move through what you know (the truth), what you feel (freedom, joy, peace, patience), what you do (self-control, submission), and how you relate to others (accepted, forgiven, forgiving, loving). Romans 8:16, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 2:1-5.
I am Not the sum of my failures
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:12
I Am Accepted
I am God’s child — John 1:12
I am chosen by God — Ephesians 1:4
I am redeemed and forgiven — Colossians 1:13-14
I am a friend of Christ — John 15:15
I Am Secure
I am free from condemnation — Romans 8:1
I cannot be separated from God's love — Romans 8:38-39
I am sealed with the Holy Spirit — Ephesians 1:13
God will complete the work He started in me — Philippians 1:6
I Am Significant
I am God’s workmanship — Ephesians 2:10
I am a temple of the Holy Spirit — 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am a royal priesthood — 1 Peter 2:9
I am an ambassador for Christ — 2 Corinthians 5:20
Thrive Reflection Questions
Which truth about my identity do I struggle to believe?
Which truth changes how I see myself the most?
2. What God Has Given Me
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life.” — 2 Peter 1:3
God Has Given Me:
The Holy Spirit — John 14:16-17
We will do an entire teaching on this as it is the most important asset we have.
Spiritual gifts — 1 Corinthians 12:7
See Teaching Notes on Spiritual Gifts
Authority over the enemy — Luke 10:19
See Teaching Notes on Spiritual Authority
The mind of Christ — 1 Corinthians 2:16
You actually have access to Christ's way of thinking
His perspective is available to you because His Spirit lives in you
It helps you see truth.
It helps you discern what's real from what's a lie.
It lets you think the way Jesus thinks about a situation instead of the way fear, shame, or the world tells you to think.
The armor of God — Ephesians 6:10-17
This is huge when we understand what it means.
See Teaching Notes on The Full Armor of God
Grace for every weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
Each is given a measure of grace
To each temptation, God offers a way of escape
Thrive Reflection Questions
Which gift or resource from God do I use most?
Which one do I forget I have?
3. What God Promises Me
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20
God Promises:
He will never leave me — Hebrews 13:5
We are not in this struggle alone, The Creator of the Universe is with us
He will guide me — Proverbs 3:5-6
We don’t have to know what to do next. He will show us like a light unto our feet.
He will give me peace — John 14:27
He will provide for my needs — Philippians 4:19
He will work everything for good — Romans 8:28
He will strengthen me — Isaiah 41:10
Thrive Reflection Questions
What is a promise I need today?
What is a promise I’ve already seen fulfilled?
4. The Purpose God Put In Me
“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” — Ephesians 2:10
God Created Me To:
Know Him John 17:3
Love Others Matthew 22:37-39
Grow in Christ Romans 8:29
Serve Others Galatians 5
Share the Gospel Matthew 28:19-20
To embrace my calling
A. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28}
B. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6)
C. “To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
D. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
E. “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Thrive Purpose Questions
What breaks my heart that also breaks God’s heart?
Who do I feel called to help?
Which of my life experiences might God use for ministry? What good things? What bad things? What past traumas? What poor decisions? What good decisions?