Religion

Out with ‘stupid rest,’ in with ‘Sabbath rest’

Dear Lucy: I seem to be caught in a rut. I have gotten to the place where I don't even know what I want. And this is awful because I am dissatisfied with how things are going now. I just don't know what I should be praying for and I can't move! Any ideas?

– Signed: AL

Dear AL: I have been in that place before and I know how it feels. And, yes, for me it is a very sad, disempowering and frustrating time. I call it a "stupid rest."

There are times when resting from all of our cares and practicing contentment is a good thing. That is known in Scripture as the Sabbath rest. The Sabbath rest can come any day and at any time by simply choosing to rest in the knowledge that all is well and taken care of by our God.

When we experience a "stupid rest" it is like sitting on a rock in the road, unable to decide which way to go, stuck on stupid. And in this case, I speak of stupid as being in a stupor. A stupor is that state of mind where things are moving in a hazy kind of slow motion without clarity.

So, here is what I do to get off stupid.

I ask if I am loving and accepting myself. Have I fallen into a rut of self-judgement and condemnation? I pick up a mirror every morning, look into my own eyes and see what it feels like when I say out loud, "I love you, Lucy. I accept you just as you are. And I know that every day, in every way you are getting better and better."

I ask my self if I am loving and accepting others, circumstances and situations just as they are, without judgment or condemnation. Am I consciously knowing that all things are changing and always capable of getting better and better?

I ask if I am willing to accept something new, different, expansive and wonderful into my life right now. Am I willing to deserve more and better? I remind myself of all of the wonderful ways that I have been blessed in the past. I take inventory of what I appreciate about myself. This stops the "I am so pitiful" routine.

Every time I begin to think about being stuck, I begin to make a mental list of all that I am thankful for in the last hour. Moment by moment,there is much to be grateful for. Remember, you cannot be thankful and sad at the same time. Now gratitude works best when we are thankful without comparing it to how awful things could be...just be thankful for what is without bias, prejudice or reservations.

There is a great deal of power in the verse "we love Him because He first loved us" found in 1John 4:19. Even when we are stuck in stupid, we are loved; we are loved in our rising up, our sitting down, our going out and our coming in. We are loved totally and unconditionally wherever and however we are. If the Father can do that for us, we can also do it for ourselves.

Love is a healing balm. Surround yourself in love...love for yourself, your surroundings, your circumstances, knowing and giving thanks that every day, in every way you are getting better and better. Consciously allow infinite possibilities of good into your mind. Decide today that you are willing to be, to do and to have all that is good. "Choose ye this day whom you will serve."

Lucy

(Check out Lucy Shaw's website at http://www.heartworks4u.com. You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

(For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy's new book, "BE NOT ANXIOUS." Order it directly from her at 901-907-0260 or go to her web site www.heartworks4u.com.)