Copyright: mars58
Here we are in the hot sticky summer months where a pool full of water, a lawn sprinkler, or even a kiddie pool will cool us off. Do you hear the ice cream truck around the corner ringing the bell? Oh, the joys of childhood. We all long for a simpler life, without news, tweets, or Facebook, or to be unplugged. What do you think about summer – 3 months of no technology, just like a child who burst through those doors free from the daily grind of school for nine months of the year? Oh, dare to dream.
The state of every person’s mental health in the US is of concern to me and others who work in the field of health, coaching, teaching, running a business, bank, and every institution where one person interacts with another. Tempers are too short, the conversation does not happen, and people have mentally been messed up basically since March 2020.
Today we find our “options” severely limited. The sad truth is this: We love options. When we have too many options, life gets complicated. A confused buyer never buys because of too many options. Just think about all the choices you have for viewing a movie today—too many options.
The truth is we have been preprogrammed to living in the moment and getting what we want, when we want it, with no consequences of note when we do get it. “NOW!” Is our favorite time for everything we want.
Copyright: yuran-78
What I am seeing now is what I have termed: “Grief Waves.” Look at this photo of an angry ocean and sky. The shore is constantly pummeled by unrelenting surf, again and again. These are the stories and challenges I am hearing from those who are friends, family, clients, and acquaintances. No sooner does one thing resolve than another wave crashes into their lives. I recently read a book that described several kinds of “Grief Waves.” I want to take a moment to list each and give a brief description of the Grief Wave.
Over-doer Remorse Wave – this is a person who feels like they must do everything or it will not get done.
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Buyer’s Remorse Wave – this is the person who feels bad about overspending or buying something they don’t need, and they haven’t gotten home with the purchase yet.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
False Pride Remorse Wave – this is a person who feels like they must apologize for everything and must take on the guilt if something goes wrong. [even when they are not the owner]
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Inadequacy Remorse Wave – this person keeps giving an explanation for everything and again feels like they must keep adding to the story.
2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”
Over Thinking Remorse Wave – Yep, just what you think, they overthink everything.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Glutton Remorse Wave – when we overindulge in anything, we beat ourselves up, over and over.
Philippians 3:19 – “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
Workaholic Remorse Wave – we falsely believe we must overwork in order to feel valued or not let someone else down.
“Over work is a sign of unbelief. Trust God; He’s good at HIS JOB. Let Him do it..”
~ Priscilla Shirer said this.
Proverbs 23:4 -5 says, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cases from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”
Perhaps, you are looking for the lost joy of a simpler life?
Copyright: chuanpis
Let’s be honest here, do you feel God asking you to cut out something or someone from your overbooked schedule or to-do list? Maybe what God is asking you the answer to this question:
“Do you really want to be known as the woman who can do everything?”
God can and will ask us to “cut-out” negative things from our lives, AND HE can and will also ask us to “cut-out” positive things from our lives. The choice is of course 100% up to you. I know for a fact that if we do not choose that which is in HIS WILL, He will put you to the side until you repent or learn the lesson, and then and only then can He bring you back into a position where He can use you.
Anything that is a pleasure, taken to the extreme becomes an addiction.
Anything which is a strength, taken to the extreme becomes our greatest weakness.
