thoughts to carry into the new year
✾ It is not your job to fix you. That's God's division. Your job is to stay as humble and malleable as you can, and beyond that to entrust everything to God. Your job is Micah 6:8.
✾ Try to fill your mind with good, affirming, life-giving thoughts. For me, this may look like spending a little less time on places like Pinterest or YouTube (where I am easily drawn into comparison or other traps) and a little more time reading and rereading authors who encourage me (like Kayla Aimee) and whose words might begin to soak into my soul with the truth of who I am as a beloved daughter of God rather than feeding my insecurities or misconceptions of who I have made myself out to be.
This can't become a legalistic exercise, though, or it will undo whatever good God is trying to accomplish through it.
✾ Please do not allow either Satan or you yourself to trick you into bludgeoning yourself with guilt and should's and ought's over things that are completely and objectively amoral. (For instance: If you are on a vacation and you decide you kind of want to live in your pajamas most days, do not make that into some sort of 'should or should not' situation. Chill.)
✾ Again, don't make this into a legalistic thing (again, don't make this into a legalistic thing), but maybe try reaching for something other than a screen every single time you're free. Try reading, or knitting, or crocheting, or (*gag*) exercising (I don't like it any more than you do), or crafting, or playing the piano or some other instrument, or singing, or drawing, or boxing, or playing games with a family member, or letter-writing (maybe to relatives or friends you haven't seen in a while). (This video has some good thoughts on it--although, again, DO NOT MAKE THIS INTO A LEGALISTIC THING.)
✾ Don't compare what your individual journey to a particular goal looks like to someone else's individual journey to a similar goal. (One of the things I've struggled with in this is comparing where I am in my writing journey to various online friends.)
✾ Matthew 6:25-34. Really try to meditate on that when you become worried about money or your future or 'adulting.' (And btw, if you ever are stressing about those particular things, know that I'm in that with you and I understand and I struggle with all that too sometimes. It can be scary, and it's okay to be scared about it; but think about how many people relatively successfully navigate that transition into responsible and independent adulthood ALL THE TIME. More than that, try to think about those verses. Believe you me, I'm pretty sure I've worried about most possible "but what if this happens" contingencies, but God keeps bringing me back to that passage. Trust.)
✾ " . . . peace at all times and in every way." ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16
All good thoughts. Thank you, Olivia! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, MC!
DeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hamlette!
DeleteNeeded this
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was of any help <3
DeleteGreat thoughts. <3 I've definitely struggled with comparing myself to others as well... in fact, just last night I was having a ridiculous pity party with myself because I'm also not as ahead in my writing journey as others... So. Thank you, Olivia. This was very encouraging and much needed right now. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! Wow, that's kinda crazy--I was having a comparison pity party with myself that night, too! (Not about writing this time, but still.) Timing can be a tricky thing to figure out, with the balance between our own work and God's guidance. But we can get there with his help! Thank YOU! I'm so glad. <3
DeleteSo true. I needed to hear these things! Thank you for sharing, Olivia! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who needed this.
DeleteTHIS IS DANG GOOD ADVICE & I SHALL TAKE IT.
ReplyDelete*hugs*
I especially like what you said about doing things that are relaxing & healthy, but not for the sake of guilting ourselves--just because it's a nice, pleasant thing to do. Because, Very Important Distinction right there. *nods emphatically*
I've set myself a goal of reading more ("more" being loosely defined as about 10 books more than last year, haha), just because I've found from experience that it DOES help me unwind and relax. It's like, balancing reading-relaxing time with screen-relaxing time, I guess.
Awww, I AM GLAD.
Delete*hugs back*
It is, indeed, a Very Important Distinction, and one that I need to be working on remembering!! <3
Neat! Yes, reading can be really relaxing and encouraging (depending on the book). ;) Exactly! It's about finding that balance.
Ohh, boy! You wise person, you!! ;) Such excellent advice!
ReplyDeleteI can relate on so many levels. I've really been dealing with anxiety about things the past few months, and have been exploring the best ways to keep on top of it. (I think everybody is different, and we all have our own ways to unwind best.)
I love how you make the point about not making it a legalistic thing. YES AND AMEN!! So t.r.u.e. I think that's a very important aspect.
Also, I 100% agree about TRYING to reach for things other than screen-related activities when it's time to relax. (But also remembering that it isn't necessarily BAD to use them - it's just important to keep a balance!)
Yes. Comparison never does anyone a favour. It's so easy to fall into, though.
I loved this post! :) (And I'm only a month behind! I'll catch up eventually. ;))
(Sorry I didn't reply to this, Gabby!)
DeleteI'm so sorry you've been dealing with anxiety lately, dear friend. <3 I know how stressful it can be. You're right, everyone has different things that work well for them, and it's important to find out what those are. (I mean, as long as they're all healthy, what. ;))
Yes! Balance is the thing for so many issues. It's sad how easily our minds leap ahead to assume that everything has to be all or nothing, you know?
Thank you!! Haha, I always appreciate comments from you. :) <3