Talking to Myself
Have you ever monitored how you keep this running conversation going with yourself most of the day (or is that just me?). Do you talk to yourself about what you need to get done, do you talk to yourself about how you feel about someone, do you talk to yourself to make sure you remember important things, do you talk to yourself about your anxieties, do you talk yourself into a frenzy with worries about the future, do you talk to yourself about plans, strategies, dreams? There’s this ongoing conversation most of us have with ourselves throughout the day.
Here’s the “ah-ha” moment I realized: “I can either include God in that conversation or I can leave Him out.” What I choose makes a huge difference! My old way just leaves me pondering my thoughts alone. This new way we’re learning with the 60-60 allows me to hear and consider a new perspective (a bigger, wiser One maybe?). I’ve found this makes a huge difference for me.
So the goal is moment by moment connection to God’s Spirit, the beeps are just reminders. But your thoughts, worries, “to do lists,” meetings, deadlines, irritations, can all be great reminders as well.
Old way: I have the internal conversation, “Oh, man I’ve got so much to do in one hour, how am I going to get it all done?”
New way: “Lord, I’m starting to stress about all I have to do this hour, calm me down so I can think clearly. What do You think is most important? How should I approach this?” You let Him in on your thoughts and you open yourself to His influence.
Old way: “If these kids whine or fight one more time, I’m gonna….”
New way: “Lord, my kids are driving me crazy constantly whining and fighting, what should I do? Help me stay calm and know how to lead them out of this. How can I teach them Your ways through this—help me.” You open yourself up to new thoughts and new possibilities, rather than just reacting according to your old nature.
You get the idea. Instead of just talking to yourself, try directing the conversation toward the One who said, “I am always with you…Cast all your cares on me because I care for you.” (Matthew 28:20, 1 Peter 5:7)
You have done it again! It feels like you are talking to me. This is exactly what I have been doing. Just knowing someone is there to listen and to know I am not alone. That everyone has to deal with with daily stress has changed my life(in 30 days).Thank you and thanks God
Comment by Gary — October 17, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
This is a GREAT remidner and so true! Thanks, john! :O)
Comment by graceunveiled2 — October 18, 2008 @ 11:35 am
I moved to Austin about 2 months ago from California. You preached a message during labor day weekend about your move from Texas to California. So much of what you said in that sermon helped to re-orient my thinking. It was a huge blessing. I am sooooo grateful for Gateway. It’s been the best part of my move. In that message you said something that I’ve never heard a preacher say. You said we have to learn to trust God a little at a time just like we learn to trust new friends a little at a time. Wow. So, I’m not a hell-bound, heathen if I take trusting God as slowly as I need to? Awesome. Faith is difficult for me. But, the way you explained it in that message allowed my fragile little mind to entertain the idea that I could connect with God in an authentic way. I’m excited about 60-60. I now feel God is with me moment by moment. 3 weeks ago, I didn’t believe that. Now, I’m listening for his promptings and willing to act. 3 weeks ago, I wasn’t able to fathom that. Now, I do include God in the constant conversation that goes on in my head. 3 weeks ago, I didn’t think he cared to hear all those random thoughts and worries.
Fruit happens!
Thank you so much for your ministry.
Comment by Girl_From_California — October 19, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
John: My husband and I are down in Austin visiting Family.
My husband is 82 and I am 74. Mike & Vicky always invite us
to go to church with them. I decided to get your Soul
Revolution book to read and see what it was all about. I
thought that since we are older the experiement would not
have much for us and would be geared more for the younger
generation. After reading a few chapters, the more it
showed us that we too need this as well. Thanks
(Don & Barbara Singer, Tyler, Texas)
Comment by bfsgarden — October 20, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
Unwillingness turns to willingness…
All I can say is WOW! I practiced this very thing last week. For anyone out there needing encouragement or faith, this is where it’s at. I have been feeling lonely and out of touch lately, and the fault lies within myself. I tend to isolate myself when I get hurt. So on Thursday I talked to God about my frustrations and loneliness and I said that I really needed someone to reach out to me and that I needed to know if anyone cared. Within 30 minutes of that chat, a message was sent to me via facebook from someone that I used to serve with at Gateway. She just said “How are you, we should get together soon” with another girl I served with. I wrote her to let her know that I really appreciated her comment, and that I would love to get together soon as I was feeling out of touch. In that moment, I really felt God’s love for me.
God was also nudging me to get in touch with an old friend, and I was really digging my heels in about it. I did have a chat with God and let him know that I didn’t want to, but I knew he wanted me to, and I asked him for willingness to do so. The really stubborn part is that she contacted me instead, and I really didn’t want to meet up with her. Situations aligned themselves to where I was feeling willing to meet up with her. Afterwards, she sent me a message saying she really needed that and what a good time she had. I admitted to her that I really needed it also.
So my chats with God are really bearing fruit, even in my unwillingness.
Comment by SandraHoofnagle — October 20, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
I find that I am actually continuing to talk to myself but including God in the conversation. It is becoming a habit to talk through it with him instead of stressing about it. This 60-60 has allowed me to take a different approach about how I handle day-to-day life in a way that is more beneficial to me and everyone in my life.
Comment by tbartz72 — October 21, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
This is exactly what I needed to hear today . . . not yesterday but today! Thanks so much . . .
Comment by Nori — October 26, 2008 @ 2:23 pm