Do You?
For years as I suffered from an unresolved life of past personal pain, it was impossible to simply sit alone with my thoughts. Without chaotic distractions my mind would begin to rumble before churning into full-blown danger mode. My remedy was to stay distracted with other distracting thoughts, activities or people. To put it redundantly, it was distracting.
Fleeing
Through the years I trained as an endurance athlete, I was told most do it to flee from something. I thought that was the dumbest idea I’d ever heard, but as I neared 100 miles on my bicycle, or 2 miles in my swim or even 12 miles on a run, I started to panic over what was next. The truth was, my suffering was causing me to suffer. Do you avoid quiet time?
Walk Away
Jesus gives us the example of how important it is to withdraw from people and commit alone time with God in prayer. Instead of fearing what might surface in your solitude, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thought life toward whatever it is that is causing the anguish. This is your chance to address and heal the wounds from your past.
Avoiding is not winning. Distraction is not productivity. Spending time meditating on God’s Word will help you “retrain your brain” through God’s compassion, wisdom, and power that we see on every page of the Gospels. Learn to linger in His presence and begin to gain the grace of peace you’ve been desperately seeking.
Examples
To prepare for a major task Luke 4:1-2, 14-15. After Jesus was baptized He spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this He was tempted by Satan and then began His public ministry.
To recharge after hard work Mark 6:30-32. Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to do ministry. When they returned He encouraged them to separate from the people who were following them to rest.
To work through grief Matthew 14:1-13. After Jesus learned that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded, He went away by Himself. Yes, even the Son of God grieves.
Before making an important decision Luke 6:12-13. Early in His ministry Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose his 12 disciples.
In a time of distress Luke 22:39-44. Hours before Jesus was arrested He went to the Mt. of Olives and went a short distance away from His disciples to pray. He was in great emotional agony knowing what he was about to face.
Praying For You
We’re entering the very beginning of Fall with what is usually a quick slide into the shorter, darker days of Winter. With the events of this year as our odd foundation, let’s make sure we start preparing right now for the upcoming season.
Get Yourself Armored Up By
– Practice positive thinking – Eliminate negative sources from your life, – Embrace people or sources that speak life into your day. – Pursue a tangible relationship with the Holy Spirit. – Accept the reality that you are God’s beloved and that He wants to bless you!
I love you and am praying for you. We are stronger together, so do not hesitate to reach out if this is a season for walking together.
God’s blessings to you, Scott Five Stones Church.Online
Need To Connect?
If you are struggling or simply need to know that someone cares, please connect with me.