Move it, MOVE IT!

Day 5

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A friend encouraged me after I lamented last week my running ability (more like, lack of ability.) She said "Don't worry about running, just move."

I knew what she said was significant for me.

 

We worry so much about getting to the "end" of whatever we are going through or over eager to reach the goal of what we have our eyes on that we tend to just stand still and not take any action. A type of paralysis. But what did it take for me to get from thinking about running to actually moving? It took me reaching out, just a tiny bit, to someone wise. It was just a little encouragement from her that got me going again.

  

Just move.

I recently posted about anxiety and I was reminded again how obeying leads to blessings. It’s not always a direct, immediate result, but it does lead there for sure. So when you know you've heard a piece of wisdom, let's all do ourselves a favor and ACT on it. I'm grieved by the fact that God has imparted wisdom over the years through studies or a wise friend, and I knew when I heard it that it was meant for me, only to quickly fall back into my safe routine and let the wisdom fade so much until I then I ask myself, "Did I really hear that?" (See Genesis 3:1) The seed of doubt sure sprouts quickly, wouldn't you agree?

I’ve been able to witness over the last year how Satan absolutely loves for us to feel alone and forgotten. He tells us lies that we shouldn’t burden anyone with our problems, either they are too little or too big for anyone else to hear, or that “everyone has their own things to deal with and they won’t have time for me.” I can’t tell you the amount of times I have heard, “I didn’t want to be a burden” as a response when someone finally obeyed and opened up about her trial.

It makes me so mad that at one time or another we’ve all bought into the lie that sharing pain is a burden and we suffered alone. Our stories are written by God and meant to be shared. Yes, sometimes is takes discernment on when to share, but take away the reason of being a burden as the reason for not sharing. I know for a fact that sharing a person's burden can be a blessing for a person. I remember when Thomas died someone said, "Please don't take away the blessing I receive from being able to help you." WHAT A RELIEF, that was to hear! Because man, did I ever feel like the biggest burden ever! Pregnant, single mom? It sure took a village during those days, and now I want to pour out the love that was poured into me for so many years. God sure is amazing.

It also makes me sad that some Christians feel that Jesus is all he or she needs and feel the need for independence from the "body" of Christ.

(FYI Here are 17 verses about the need for community from the bible.)

Okay, so you may be saying "I have a church community, a small group that meets together or a bible study group, so I am “good” on my “community" I can check that box."

Y’all, listen up. Just from my experiences lately, I know that people involved in “groups” are still afraid to share. They are afraid to take off their “strong Christian” mask and let people in and they are almost dying inside. I don’t have a magic antidote for this, but I do know what has helped me. Find one trusted person and simply have a real conversation. That’s it really. 

We learned in Griefshare that “Grief shared is grief diminished.” Amen. It’s the truth. Grief doesn’t always mean losing a person, it can mean grief over a diagnosis, trouble in your family, or whatever else is causing your brain to work overtime, but your heart isn’t being helped.

Back to my friend who said, “Just move.”  You know what I’ve learned? When you hear a piece of advice that rings true with wisdom, you ACT. You don’t just dwell on it, think on it for a while until you lose the meaning of the advice…put it to USE people! (I’ve had to learn this the long, hard way.) What is one tiny (or big) move God has been nudging you to do? Your "move" may mean just putting that “nudge” into words in your journal, or you may be needing to move your feet instead. I’m cheering you on to “move” today!

 “You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-14