by Lenore Buth
Probably most of us know what it’s like to once in awhile sink into a puddle of self-pity
Me, too. Most often the problem is that reciting all the ways our life and/or other human beings have let us down never--never--lifts our spirits.
So why do we bother?
It helps to stop and trace our thoughts backward. Then we usually can identify what started our stumble. We spot how a negative thought (or a string of them) dropped in for a visit. What started the downward slide is that we let them stay.
It used to take me days to get my thinking back in balance, but now, not so long and not so often. I've learned to pay closer attention to my self-talk, that little voice inside that keeps up a running commentary. This lets me spot garbage thoughts early on. Then I can interrupt the flow and say to myself, "Enough!"
What helps even more is asking God to put a right spirit within me and open my eyes to see the blessings in my life. The more I do that, the sooner my spirits will lift.
Going back to what I know
I grew up singing our traditional Lutheran liturgy every Sunday. Much of it comes directly from Scripture and has been beloved for centuries. For example, in every Sunday worship service we sang verses 10-12 of Psalm 51.
Many people worry that singing liturgy amounts to thoughtless repetition. I suppose it can. Yet that very repetition inscribed these verses in my memory and enables me to call this beautiful prayer of David to mind any time I need a new focus—or a prayer:
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. And renew me with thy free Spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 KJV
Create. Restore. Renew. That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?
The fight for maintaining a God-pleasing mindset is everyone's fight
It’s always easier to point out the faults we see in other people and to air complaints than to do a U-turn in our minds and fill our minds with what is good and right and true. Chalk it up to human nature, that flawed condition we all share, ever since Adam and Eve.
Over time life teaches us what makes for a happier life. And what doesn't. Eventually we find it easier to remember to live by what we've learned.
When we don't the tiresome old routine starts up all over again.
You know how it goes. First come the critical thoughts and then comes the blue mood. After a time we’re ready to get back to living our lives--and try to make amends with people we may have neglected or hurt.
For most of us, it’s a matter of choice. Will we keep repeating this pointless cycle over and over? Or will we learn and grow and make it our practice to feed our minds on what builds inner strength and lifts our hearts?
As we focus on the words of Jesus during these RLC weeks, let’s also turn over a new leaf
Let's build up instead of tear down.
Instead of fixing our inner magnifying lens on all the ways other people let us down, let's resolve to overlook the faults and failings of the people in our lives. Let’s freely give out the grace we so much want for ourselves.
Because deep down we all know the painful truth: I fail, you fail, we all fail people at times. Even those we love.
Let's decide to be kind. And charitable. And forgiving. And willing to help those who need a hand.
Instead of searching out what's wrong, let's focus on what's right and good:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 ESV
As we persevere, our way of looking at life will change in subtle ways and slowly it will show in our talk. And on our faces.
An unexpected bonus comes from this new mindset
There’s no better anti-aging treatment than this: Trade frown lines for laugh lines.
Most of us can think of someone whose happy heart shows on their face and in their laugh lines. Don't they seem younger and more alive? Aren’t they people you enjoy being around?
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13 ESV
What's in our spirit is revealed on our faces--and on the faces of people around us. You and I can be the balm of healing for hurting people with our soft voices and our kind words of hope. As we bless others, we'll also bless ourselves.
When we slip up--and we will--we remind ourselves who we are in Jesus:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
As the people of God’s family and as individuals who want to live out the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ, let's be done with pity parties. Let’s live in the Light of the Truth we know from God’s written word, the Bible.
Our newness in Christ is a done deal! That gives us ample reason to rejoice and be glad, whatever the at-the-moment situation in our lives. Our part is to remember who we are and keep our minds set on our Savior.