The Power in Worrying About Yourself
Did you know that there is so much POWER in Worrying About Yourself (WAY)? I refer to it as the WAY life. It's months into the new year and that has been my focus.
You may question, How WAY?? See what I did there. 😉 In the words of the songstress Beyonce it's focusing on "Me, Myself, and I." It's not selfish. It's not that you don't care about others or what's happening in the world (that's for the petty betty's or donald's I hear you 😉).
Really, it's being focused on what you set out to accomplish this year. It's spending less time browsing social media and more time reading a book or working towards your God-given purpose. It's being more compassionate and encouraging to others instead of engaging in behaviors that deflect your anger on to others or tear them down.
So when you feel like complaining about how annoying that one person is acting or someone comes to you with the latest church gossip, ask yourself "Am I living a WAY life?"
Is this conversation beneficial to me or is it harming? Should I complain about this little annoyance or should I pray about it??
I am not just sharing this with you I am encouraging myself as well. I've learned some of the little things that we may become concerned with are not where God would have us to place our focus or thoughts. His word says it best he wants us to
"Fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
In the words of my Pastor "Bring it Back to Jesus." That means the moment our minds start to wander or we engage or are presented with information that is petty, reckless, and plain out gossip. We should fix our mind on things that are representing Christ.
Before you engage in anything that may make you question if you are a Christ Representer ask yourself these questions?
Is what I am fixing my mind on true? True- in accordance with fact or reality; accurate or exact; rightly or strictly so called; genuine.
Is what I am fixing my mind on honorable? Honorable- bringing or worthy of honor.
Is what I am fixing my mind on right? Right- morally good, justified, or acceptable; true or correct as a fact.
Is what I am fixing my mind on pure? Pure- not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material; (of a sound) perfectly in tune and with a clear tone.
Is what I am fixing my mind on lovely? Lovely- very pleasant or enjoyable; delightful; exquisitely beautiful.
Is what I am fixing my mind on admirable? Admirable- worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection; excellent; first-rate.
Feel free to replace mind with mouth. I believe before we speak of anything it all starts with a thought and our thoughts are apart of our mind and maybe spoken out of our mouth.
If what is on your mind or comes out of your mouth not meeting up with the above definitions of each one of those words then how can we expect others to see Christ in us or to have peace with us?
So I encourage you to live a WAY life, Worry About Yourself. Having a WAY life will allow you to be prosperous, not only focusing in on yourself but intently focusing on being a Christ representer.
"Embrace God, Worry About Yourself, & Be Fashioned For Him!"
With Care,
~ Shishandra D.