Why can one small disagreement turn into something so much bigger?

Why do we get defensive, controlling, jealous, frustrated, or anxious when

things don’t go the way we hoped?

In Whole Heart, Pastor Ezra looks at James 4 and a surprising explanation

for some of the conflict in our lives: the battle happening around us can

reveal a battle happening within us.

Sometimes the problem isn’t simply what someone else said or did. It’s

what their actions touched in us. Our need to be respected. Our desire to

stay in control. Our need for security. Our fear of being overlooked. Even

good desires can begin controlling us when they become things we believe

we have to have.

And trying to follow Jesus while still holding tightly to control is exhausting.

James describes it as a divided heart. We want God’s peace, but we still

want our way. We want His forgiveness, but struggle to trust His leadership.

We want freedom while continuing to hold onto the very things keeping us

stuck.

But the answer isn’t more guilt or trying harder.

It’s grace.

God isn’t exposing what is happening in your heart so He can shame you.

He wants to free you from what is tearing you apart.

This message will challenge you to ask three honest questions: What

desire has started driving me? What am I defending that is draining me?

And what would it actually look like to come near to God right now?

You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to pretend you

have it all together.

You can bring God the whole thing.