With launching a business and family, I have made every excuse for not making time to blog. Chris gave us some action ideas like blogging to bless others.
You can not talk about humility without talking about pride. If we are not intentional about walking in humility, we will walk in pride. Chris laid out five points about "Where Pride Takes Us". If you know me, I have a very loud laugh. With my daughter tapping my leg to be quiet, I was laughing so hard when Chris read bullet point #4, Easily Offended (Oh no you dittent!), from his notes. Have you ever felt like that?
I have taken pride in being no push over. I also have taken pride in not being one that is easily offended. Well, I am quick to roll my neck and eyes with the feeling of, "Oh no you dittent!"
The bottom line is I am easily offended. It may not always show up in my interactions with people, but it is internally there in my heart. What do you do when you get offended? I may talk to my husband or call up a friend and vent. Most of the time, I spend the next hours... honestly week....crying and throwing a grown up tantrum. I call it prayer but let's keep it real, it's a rant to God and not listening for His response.
I know.. I know... you might not throw tantrums but I do. Help me Lord! I've never seen my tantrums as pride, until today. My tantrums reflects another point from Chris's list. Point #1...."Self-preservation" (Must.....Protect....Self).
What should we do when we go into self-preservation mode? Self- preservation will cause you to go into "Oh no you dittent" mode. Well Lisa Jacobson from Club 31 Women: A Passion for husband, home and family wrote a 3-Step Meltdown Strategy in her weekly email, "What I do in the middle of a meltdown". These 3-Steps are from Lisa Jacobson's email:
A 3-Step Meltdown Strategy:
1. Take your thoughts captive
Rather than getting caught up in "continuous loop thinking" (That hurt my feelings, that hurt my feelings, that hurt my feelings...and so on), you take hold of those thoughts and stop them in their tracks. And every time they start sneaking back, you refuse to let them get back in.
...Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ... (II Corinthians 10:5)
2. Focus on what is right and true
Next, now that you've stopped the destructive loop thinking, you determine to look on those things which are right. Those things which are true. Those things which are lovely. You direct your thoughts on Christ and all the good that He has for you.
Finally, brothers (and sisters!), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
3. Choose thankfulness
Not always easy. Especially when you're in the middle of a meltdown. But rack your brain to come up with at least one thing that you can be thankful for in that moment. Then see if you can come up with another after that.
If you're really, really struggling, give thanks for something else that has nothing to do with the situation at hand. For example, I'm upset with my husband, but I can be grateful for the flowers on our back patio. And eventually, hope I can remember some nice things about my husband....even if he did deeply hurt my feelings. *ahem...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:18)
Let's work on taking Lisa's encouragement! When Pride rises its' ugly head in our hearts through offense and leads to a meltdown, let's take the negative thoughts captive; let's turn our minds to things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praise worthy; let's choose to be thankful at all times.
When we choose to turn our hearts towards humility our "Oh no you dittent" will turn into grace and forgiveness.
Thank you Chris and Lisa for prompting my heart search today!
**Side note: Chris is not just a great speaker, but he is a great builder too 😉 http://olmsteadhomesteads.com
Notes from:
- Chris Olmstead Sunday, July 16th, 2017 message "Humility: The act of lowering oneself to elevate others"
- Lisa Jacobson https://club31women.com. A Note from Lisa Jacobson: Your weekly word of encouragement, inspiration, & practical wisdom; "What I do in the middle of a meltdown". Emailed July 14, 2017.
