I woke up earlier in the morning, actually the middle of the night, and a wild thought created a moment of alertness. Am I ready? Of course, there may have been a dream I don’t remember that peppered the moment. Or some animal noises out the window that crept in like a dangerous thief. Perhaps it was feeling the momentary loss of satisfaction with the direction things were going. There’s no doctor appointment on the horizon. All my bills are up-to-date. Nothing on my calendar!
What do I need to be ready for?
Have you ever talked to yourself? Talked it through? Analyzed, asked questions, and then answered yourself? I don’t know about you, but I talk to myself. I’m my own best listener and responder!
Over the past few days, I’ve cleaned up my email subscriptions by unsubscribing. Again. I’ve organized stacks of bills, papers, magazines, and various office equipment, getting ready for a significant overhaul. Phone calls have been made… I’ve told myself what to do, and not surprisingly, sometimes I actually listened.
Well, you get the drift. Life is really full, and there’s no end in sight. Wait. Could this middle-of-the-night trek down a path of readiness be about life? The end of it, or the end of the planet? Chicken Little! Hush!
I shook myself for clarity. “Which end is most important?” The end of the night? Life? The planet? Each of these requires a different response. The crypto market is crashing! My $50 may not survive the night!
I calmed my mind back down and said to myself. “Get thee back to sleep!”
I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t always work for me!
When There’s No One Else, You’d Better Listen
I suspect we are all guilty of talking to ourselves and even answering questions that come from having no one else to talk it over with. The conversation is seldom verbal. I don’t need to hear myself to converse with myself. At the speed of my mind, I rumble through the subject and come up with an answer, and then wait on my subconscious to tamp it down or stir it up. The better answer normally shows up at the right time.
Some may call this our “gut reaction,” as in, “trust your gut.” Once you’ve committed to a path of action, there is seldom time to call your gut on the carpet for recriminations. You’ve responded to you, and you pay the consequences or reap the rewards.
Time will tell, and your Report Card will show how well your gut reactions provide success. It does mean you need to grade each event and average the grades to see if you can trust your gut!
Most of my sermons are better preached to me long after sharing them with others. That’s me talking to the Lord and me talking it over with me. Could I have done it differently? Better? Sure.
Each of these conversations produces a better me!
Maybe You Need To Find Someone to Listen
I’m around many who never talk it out with a vital resource that is just waiting for the opportunity to help. A pastor, mentor, coach, friend, and even a family member who has the experience and track record to show. I know many who have a therapist – a counselor helping you make better choices by understanding what brought you to this point. I think. I’ve never been to one, but I understand the concept. Think Physical Therapy, and you will grasp my meaning.
The Apostle Paul, and many others in scripture, tell us not just to trust ourselves but to take everything to the Lord.
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
When I need to think things through, I often find a scripture that points me in the right direction. Even songs (mainly old ones) give me answers and guidance. I’m taking to recording me singing some old songs so I can listen and sing along… (Click Here) Or, I may just listen to my dad… (Click here)
Regardless of what you believe or practice, it would be best to have some input.
I am praying for you!