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It’s been a tough year. There is no denying it. Plans cancelled, sickness, worrying about the people you love, anger at people who don’t agree, politics & controversy & chaos. Denying any of this won’t make it go away. So how do we maintain joy and momentum in our spiritual lives when everything feels so overwhelming?

Well, I think I have developed a checklist to help us with this, practically!

  1. We acknowledge that we aren’t in control, but we know who is.

    1. something for God

    2. Psalms 63:4-5 TPT, “Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul.”

    3. Read the Bible, make a prayer list, listen to a podcast or YouTube sermon, worship God alone along with some music, spend time in silence listening to Him, etc). List of Spiritual Disciplines here.

  2. We acknowledge that it’s okay to feel low, but we can’t stay there.

    1. something for me

    2. Proverbs 17:22 ESV, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

    3. Fun feeds the soul. (an article from the psychological point of view)

    4. Learning about yourself is also an excellent way to do something for yourself. (Try a personality test, or try something new.)

  3. We acknowledge that our behavior and attitudes do have an effect on others.

    1. something for the people closest to me

    2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

    3. Ideas for married couples, date ideas during COVID, keep kids busy and happy

  4. We acknowledge that we can make a difference in the lives of people outside our household too.

    1. something for others

    2. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

    3. Reaching out during the pandemic

Throughout this whole year, my mantra has been, “one day at a time”. Some of those days have been incredibly low, and I counted it a win that I just got through it without dissolving into a puddle. There were a couple days where I was just proud of myself for taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry.

I think if I had come up with this list earlier in the year, I might have been somewhat better off. And I think if I start writing these down in a journal, I’ll be amazed to see what it will do after a month, 3 months, a year.

Being vibrant, passionate, and selfless doesn’t come naturally. It comes from Jesus. The Holy Spirit can bring these things out of us, but sometimes we have to discipline ourselves to start the process.

Discussion

  1. As a group, list some ways that you can help yourself laugh, even in the middle of the pandemic.

  2. What is your favorite way to get closer to God lately?

  3. What have you done lately to check on and care for the people that you live with?

  4. What can you do this week to reach out to people outside your household?

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  1. Start a Checklist. I call mine “The Sanity Checklist”…but you can call yours something else if you want. :)

  2. Begin to read the book of Psalms. I HIGHLY recommend The Passion Translation.

    1. The book of Psalms always speaks to me when I’m feeling emotions particularly passionately. Because David (the writer of most of the Psalms) did too. And it reminds me that it’s okay to feel low, it’s okay to feel passionate, it’s okay to feel whatever I’m feeling, as long as I’m letting God in on the conversation.

  3. If you want to do more, watch this TD Jakes message, about what to do in times of crisis.

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