Hello, my friend!
I hope you’ve had a great week and that your weekend has been restful and rejuvenating thus far!
This week’s email subject is not, you may have noticed, alliterative. I was tempted to name it “Top Three Thaturday,” but that would have been too thilly…
The reason for three items today as opposed to the usual Saturday six is that there’s just a lot here, and I didn’t want to take up too much of your time. We’re talking about two of my personal favorite topics to focus in on for general wellbeing and growth: anxiety and productivity! I hope you enjoy!
More Humility = Less Anxiety
Alistair Begg has long been one of my and my husband’s favorite preachers. On Monday of last week, I listened to this sermon while out on a walk with my dogs and baby girl and it hit hard with its convicting message connecting our worries to our pride.
Here’s a quote from it:
“Humility and its presence is directly related to anxiety and its absence.”
Begg cited 1st Peter 5:6-7, which says:
“Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
When we worry, we are, often unknowingly, demonstrating a degree of pride because we haven’t trusted God to take care of us and/or those we’re concerned about. Pride puffs us up with the erroneous impression that we are entitled to know all about what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how we might fix what’s happening according to our knowledge, know-how, and other resources.
Humility does just the opposite. It leaves the circumstances in the Lord’s hands, because He is far greater, far wiser, far more loving than we could ever hope to be. Pride elevates self. Humility elevates God. (“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30)
If you’re worried about something right now, I encourage you to get into God’s Word and bathe your heart and mind with reminders of His goodness, faithfulness, and unmatched, eternal love for you. Ask Him to rid you of any pride so that you can humbly “cast” (a word that means to throw upon) your anxieties on Him…and leave them there.
Here’s the full Alistair Begg sermon if you’d like to listen!
Be Experimental
I have a lot of ideas. I guess being a chronic idea generator comes with the territory of being a creative writer, but it can be a little exhausting! From book and blog and business ideas, to children’s games and educational activities, I’m constantly thinking up and trying out sparkly new habits, hobbies, and projects, most of which fall flat, quite frankly! But I’m not upset about it. When something fizzles out, I pat myself on the back because experimentation makes us better by helping us identify where our true passions and giftings lie. Naturally, they also help us identify which sorts of ventures we’re not so well suited for…
This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson helps explain:
“Do not be timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse, and you may get your coat soiled and torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.”
Question for you: What was the last idea you pursued? Do you have an idea now that’s percolating in the back of your brain? Why not pray and ask God to show you how you might bring it to life? If it doesn’t pan out, remember that your efforts won’t be wasted if you allow them to teach you something!
Days of Distraction
I read this quote recently from an unknown author and think it’s spot on!:
“When you’re a Christian, the devil can’t have you, but he can distract you.”
In what ways do you find yourself wasting time? What reasons does Satan have to keep your mind occupied on that activity and unfocused on your role as mom, dad, teacher, accountant, housekeeper, Chick-fil-A employee, etc.? Don’t let the enemy have the satisfaction of knowing he’s got your attention.