This week’s “moment” comes from Sheila. The title is not a misprint.
We all have times when we feel overwhelmed. It may seem our thoughts and worries and fears are buzzing all around us, dive bombing and looping in our minds. We feel our heads being jerked here and there, making it difficult to focus, to decide which of these assailants to go after first. Our anxiety builds and crescendos and we feel totally out of control and at the mercy of the battle going on in our minds.
Let me suggest an analogy that might help you to pull out of the fog and get more direction and focus.
Visualize these thoughts (particularly those related to all the things you need to do). As an anxious thought comes buzzing in, don’t ignore it or swat it. Instead, grab it and throw it into a cage—any kind of imaginary one will do: a gilded decorative one, a shoebox, or a wide-mouthed mayonnaise jar. You might even want to draw a picture of your cage and name each thought or to-do item you capture.
After your cage is populated, stop, relax and take a deep breath as you remember that you are not hopeless, and you are not helpless. As you look at your cage, follow the counsel of Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Now you are ready to take one of the captives—usually, the biggest with the loudest buzz and go to work on it. One step at a time, one dive bomber at a time, those things that seemed ready to undo you will be dealt with as you enjoy the peace God promises.
This is particularly hard to do when the thoughts are about what direction God wants to take you in regards to your career and work. The anxieties are very great especially when the clarity you are looking for is not there. But as the scripture says, it's through prayer that the fears and anxieties will be relieved and the peace will come. The timing on this couldn't have been better. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila! This is a great idea! I think this MCM came straight from God, as He speaks so much about our minds, our thoughts and our choices! He tells us to "Take captive every thought" and He knew His children will remember this more, with a Visual Aid!! Now that you have given me one, dear friend, I know it will stick with me forever!
ReplyDeleteGreat insight. I often feel like I'm the one in the cage. Good way to start off Monday–put those thoughts in the cage.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I have an extremely busy week ahead with lots of daily tasks that are new for me, and I've been wondering how I can juggle everything excellently. I just drew a picture of my cage, with everything in it to be thankful for and ask God for his help. Wrote the scripture next to the cage, taped it to my computer. Thoughts organized, anxiety gone! Thanks for a new way to rely on this scripture!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to let God take control over Monday. Thanks for sharing.
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