Words of Wisdom, Email Newsletter
Plant seeds of wisdom today
Take the next 30 or so breaths slowly and reflect deeply on your life. I hope these words help you grow in you the most valuable treasure in life: wisdom. Wisdom grows imperceptibly but flourishes like a mighty oak, standing the test of time
WoW 120: On the speed of transformation
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I.
"How long will it take?" This is a common question when seeking deep transformation, and something clients often ask as they start working with me.
Transformation moves at the speed of courageous action, whole-hearted prayer, and your depth of discipleship.
II.
If you want to grow in hope remember this: ready, aim, fire.
Ready. Surrender your heart to God.
Aim. Seek the most meaningful target.
Fire. Take courageous action.
III.
How often do you slow down? Do you take time for quiet reflection? Do you remove all noise, sit in silence, and open your heart to God? If you find yourself saying "I can't sit still" or "I can't handle silence" then you have untold opportunities for growth, peace, and victory ahead...if you decide to face your feelings, sit with the discomfort, and wait in silence on God. The price of peace might just be learning to sit with the discomfort of the moment.
Quotes
God is God. If He is God, He is worthy of my worship and my service. I will find rest nowhere but in His will, and that will is infinitely, immeasurably, unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to."
Elizabeth Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor
One of the places where Paul conveys a comfort to others that he received from God is in Philippians 4 . . . Paul tells us that this peace is not merely an absence—it is a presence. It is not just an absence of fear. It is a sense of being protected. That does not come out as well in the English translation. It says in verse 7, “the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your minds.” The Greek word translated as “guard” means to completely surround and fortify a building or a city to protect it from invasion. If you have an army all around you protecting you, then you can sleep really well—that’s the idea. And this is getting at something very important. Today, when you read books or websites on overcoming anxiety and handling fear, they usually talk about removing thoughts. They say: Do not think about that; do not think those negative thoughts. Control your thoughts, expel the negative ones. But here we see the peace of God is not the absence of negative thoughts, it is the presence of God himself. “The God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9).
Timothy Keller, Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering
Questions
If you have difficulty sitting still and being quiet, what is most difficult about it? What might you be avoiding?
What is the smallest, easiest way you can practice sitting in silence this week?
Who can you reach out to for encouragement this week?
(Use these questions as a journal prompt and to guide your prayers this week)
Endnote
Wherever you are in life, God wants you to join Him and the work He is already doing. The question is, will you get quiet enough to listen, and say yes to His loving presence?
Live wisely,
Josh
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Did someone send this to you? Do you want to cultivate more of the good, true, courageous, and beautiful in your life?
Join the growing community and subscribe to receive my Words of Wisdom every Wednesday.
