Repeat – Until It Isn’t
It’s not that you acted out of character. A time presented itself, and you just fell off the wagon. You committed the effort to improve, progress, and become stronger. But during one precise moment, your defenses were down.
Being challenged in a group forum versus one-on-one will trigger different emotions. Confronted and surprised with reactions unfamiliar will trigger emotions.
We always say we have Faith and Belief. Actually, what are Faith and Belief? When it happens, trust me, you’ll know it. And the experience will be unlike any other etched into your memory and soul forever. You’ll never forget the moment or the event that triggered things into motion.
This piece of writing is probably one of the most influential blogs that I’ve written or will ever write. The experience will lead you down a road of events and experiences yet to come. Once you know, you can’t unknow.
We always hear when a family member, acquaintance, or friends of friends are sick, have been in a serious accident, etc., “Will you pray for us?” “Will you pray for me?” Our response, “Prayers going up, Blessings coming down.” “Done.” “My prayers are with you.” We see this over and over on social media. However, at that moment, deep within our soul and being, are we sure we have faith and belief or are we just on auto-pilot? Are we responding blindly?
That’s okay. In your lifetime, you’ll have a chance to test that theory. For example, you’ve experienced a trauma of some kind, indirectly from another source. You are vulnerable to a degree so extensive that the only way out is to pray to God to handle the situation. The moment you pray, the exact second, God hears. And you leave the heaviness there with Him, knowing he will take care of it because He’s the only one who can.
Several hours later, you notice small subtleties occurring, which are opposite of what happened previously. The observation is like a whisper or a glance. You turn your attention to the happenstance, but quickly turn your attention away.
Your prayer results will be more obvious the next day. They will be on your face. You’re stunned; how can this be? You’re in awe. The unimaginable is what happens when God doesn’t need your help. Your impossible is what happens when you’re selfless, and you give of yourself. God responds with swiftness.
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23
Having faith and belief seem like an easy thing to do, and it’s obtainable. If those acts were so easy, then why aren’t most of us doing it? Challenge your thoughts. We say we have faith and belief, but do we? Practice understanding, and repeat until it isn’t anymore.
Keep calm and focus on your future, because it’s waiting for you.
Keep Believing – Don’t Think
Did you feel you’re always in a constant battle? According to Romans 7:14 – 22, we are. The state of human beings is often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. This power is why mastering your emotions, just one day at a time or better yet, one moment at a time, is key. Think about it. When you’re triggered to act negatively, do you consider the right way first? Or do you decide on the unsettling action simply because you have decided the negative reaction is the better approach? Maybe you’re trying to prove a point, which is pride. It’s hard because we are moved and shaped by what others think of us and by rumors circling. Pride keeps us in the downward spiral of the abyss. Although your prideful reaction is warranted, how cool is it to master it and rise above it? Now, that’s powerful. Any habit takes the time to cultivate. Try distracting yourself with something you love to do. I used to plant trees. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of space.
I’ve been reflecting on a sermon I heard last week relating to the verse below. Some teachers are very gifted in articulating a message. Different time and places also change your susceptibility to the message.
“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” Book of Proverbs.
I reflected on this verse over and over. Then, the words began resonating within me. “Resonated how?” you might ask. I equated the crushed the spirit to the following character traits: worrier, passive-aggressive, self-conscious, anxious, stressed out, etc.
On the other hand, I saw endurance as blind faith. No matter what happens, you will keep moving forward. Also, your belief is so strong that even during turmoil you start every day aware of the possibilities that await you.
Before last week, I would pray to God that He remove me from my problems. That’s what I thought faith was. However, that’s not always the solution or God’s intention. There are times when His intention is not to move the mountain. Still, I prayed for what I wanted expecting that God would do as I pleased. When this happens, what will you do? Most of us would fold; if you do, that’s perfectly fine. Retreat and hide away. The negative self-talk has been triggered. You think nothing good could come of this situation. This is the end. What did I do wrong? Surely, this has to be my fault. Why do I have to suffer? We usually over-dramatize our own problems.
Let’s think about it for a moment. What if, instead, His intention were to climb, go around, or move the mountain with you? God joins you and meets you exactly where you are, providing the support and power you need to overcome your problems. When that happens, the spirit can endure the situation. The situation is no longer a strife. You walk firmly through the storm until it blows over. I believe God is always interceding on our behalf regardless of our being unaware of it.
Whatever is meant for you, you will go through. The train has left the station, and all you have to do is ride it until the doors open to something for you. There’s no need to worry along the ride when you have the most powerful passenger traveling with you. There are always small opportunities among the larger perceived opportunities. Just keep walking and do your best to ignore the distractions along the way.
Work of Art
What are you painting? To be honest, it depends on the day. Sometimes, your pallet is full of colors and well-coordinated. Other times, all you see is black and gray. However, if you push and encourage yourself, you can see the colors. It takes a lot of strength to find the colors by looking for what’s good at that moment. It’s quite easy to find the negative, the bad mood, the unkindness. You almost feel as if unkindness is the natural trait. It comes so easy and without any effort, smooth sailing.
You have to send a search party to find kindness, the good within the unpleasant, within the hurt, within the pain, within the embarrassment and shame. I could go on and on. Why is it so hard? You can hate more quickly than you can love. Holding resentment takes less effort than forgiveness. You feel more pity for yourself than confidence in yourself. Again, why is it so hard?
You know you’re not nice at that very moment. You feel it, you hear it, and you see it, but you tell yourself, I just can’t. That person doesn’t deserve it anyway. Hmm, what do we do? How do we climb that mountain? Maybe we climb the mountain one step at a time? We don’t have to reach the top of the mountain today! When you feel you just can’t, hit the pause button and retreat into silence. Reflect. When you’re ready, start climbing again. Life is not a race, it’s a marathon, and we’re told this mantra over and over again that the journey is the destination. We must learn to refrain and rest. The fight is to defend. Instead, leave that to God.
Quiet strength comes from a place of restraint when provoked intentionally or unintentionally. When you control your emotions, you build resilience.
The story below is one that you will find on many websites. The original author is unknown.
A Tale of Two Wolves:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he says to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continues, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thinks about it for a minute and then asks his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replies, “The one you feed.”
There is tomorrow.
We all have a purpose. For example, we admire Stonehenge, and the artwork prompts questions. What put you here and why? Do you get my point?
Imagine the Northern Lights as another example. Imagine those lights are you on display in the night sky. In all its beauty and mystery. No one has to know why it’s possible but you. You just continue to shine in all your brilliance. You’ll do this by feeding the good wolf, and just allow the bad wolf to roam. Sometimes, feeding the bad wolf feels good. You feel secure. However, it’s only for a short-term reward. A reward without benefits. Eventually, you’ll feel pain and suffering.
The unpleasant character is rooted in one or many of these traits – anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The solution is simple until it’s not. Don’t react; be confident. I know better than anyone it’s so hard to remain calm. It’s hard not to feed the bad wolf. The energy of this fire burns intensely. We refuse to allow someone to get over on us. It’s unacceptable. However, the benefits of remaining calm far outweigh the reaction.
For example, I received a speeding ticket. The speed with which I was going would have saved me only five to seven minutes. I paid a hefty price to save five minutes. Let’s flip this lesson. Just five minutes of feeding the bad wolf can be costly.
Why not practice feeding the good wolf? Don’t worry if someone thinks you’re weak or that you possess a lack confidence or lack of strength. The only factor that’s important is what you think and what God thinks because, ultimately, you answer to Him. Don’t worry about the why. Just keep painting. We’re all a work of art.
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