Relax! I'm not asking for your PIN number, let me explain..
(I will hopefully be bringing this to youth group soon, so Elisha and Abbie please keep it to yourselves and when I (hopefully) do it, please join in!
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So I was listening to the radio the other night and there was a programme on it called 'something explained'
the topic for discussion was 'security and safety' (not as in wearing a helmet and not putting your hands in hot water) but more in the sense of our emotional safety. whether we rely on our relationships to give us our sense of security, or maybe material things, places (like your bedroom or a special spot in the country) or something within ourselves.
Now, its pretty difficult to say " I don't need any of that to make me feel secure" because believe me: without strong relationships, our mobile/laptop and our bed, I think we would all feel a bit lonely.
so I have devised a few activities to help us find our 'safety jacket' most of these are done in groups
how safe? (relationships)
Read out following scenarios:
School/work is going well you have lots of good friends a few close friends that you hang out with at break and lunch, you are healthy and happy with your life, and your home is comfortable.
How safe do you feel?close your eyes and choose, then move so you aren't influenced by each other
you are starting to struggle at school because home life isn't going so well, you have also just had an argument with your closest friends
How safe do you feel?close your eyes and choose, then move so you aren't influenced by each other
now you are coming down with the flu, you are achy, sniffy, and don't have a lot of energy but you are still having to go to school/work. Your friends are still angry with you.
How safe do you feel?close your eyes and choose, then move so you aren't influenced by each other
now your parents have decided that they want to take your other siblings on holiday and leave you at home for 5 days. You will be staying with one of your mums friends that you don't know very well. Your friends have made up with you but it is still a bit awkward.
How safe do you feel?close your eyes and choose, then move so you aren't influenced by each other
everything is fine now. Your parents have decided to take you with them, and your friends have invited you for a day trip to make up. You are back to your healthy happy self, at last.
How safe do you feel?close your eyes and choose, then move so you aren't influenced by each other
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Is it inside? (within yourself)
Sit in a circle really tight, tell the person on your left 3 positive compliments. are you okay?
Now turn round a space out a everyone whisper a nursery rhyme. Feeling okay?
Now space right out. Turn lights of and sit in silence. How do you feel?
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Are you safe with trust?
Write down 1-6
at each step, write down a number between 1-10 on how safe you feel
1 = really unsafe
10 = absolutely fine with the situation
write down a secret or something you don't want anyone to know. (rate from 1-10)
Write your name on the back. (rate from 1-10)
Give it to me. (rate from 1-10)
I hand them out randomly. (rate from 1-10)
hand them back to each other. (rate from 1-10)
rip/shred them up. (rate from 1-10)
discuss each step
Disconnected
Each write a text but no need to send!
Now if you can, write an updated status on Facebook.
Take a picture of something or yourself.
Find 3 things you love having in your bag. (probably more applicable for girls)
Pick your favourite item of clothing that you are wearing.
Estimate how much money you actually have on you.
Now go through each step, and imagine having that thing taken away.
hand over your phones, hoodies/jackets, the items from your bag, purse, and any jewellery.
Try and now imagine that I am never going to give you those things back. Does it bother you at all?
Or would you be happy never to see them again?
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Be honest..it's a bit difficult to contemplate..isn't it?
well in the Bible, it mentions a few of these security methods..here's 2
God's name is a place of protection—
good people can run there and be safe.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
I believe that we should all try and find our own security in God. It is so easy to rely on things that are in this world to 'be' those things for us, but when all is said and done, God will be the one deciding our fate. God is the only One who can actually change our situation and don't think it's a good idea to be pals with The man who ultimatly controls your fate?
We arent forced to do anything, but however 'safe' we feel with the things we own, if all of them are stripped away, what are you left with? An empty room and an empty heart? or a strong and steady relationship with God?
I have a particular understanding and sympathy with trying to find someone/or some people who can play certain roles we feel we lack. I personaly love the idea of a councellor or psychiatrist who can somehow magically zap away any bad memories, feelings or dissapointments, someone who will tell me what I am feeling and why I am feeling that way, and what it means as well. But truth be told, its not possible! councellors and psychiatrists are great, but without God, I will never be content and fully secure.
God can be our everything.
He can be our Father, our councellor, our healer, our friend, our lover (not as weird as it sounds!) and our saviour. please accept God to be your everything, it may take a while, trust me - I'm still trying to get it right, but it will be so worth it when we do!
Well! that was a long one! Love you xx