And Yet
Man, it gets loud in our head sometimes, doesn't it? Who invited all these critics and naysayers?
Their loud voices fill our thoughts with doom, gloom, and fear, mainly to keep us frozen, stuck in victimization, fear, guilt, or regret.
Well, thank you very little, you annoying voices in our head.
You aren't really helping us at all.
How about we try this trick to shut those little poopers up?
Let's try the "And Yet" trick,
One voice says, "Oh, that looks scary. If you have tried something new before, you should sit down and stay where you are."
You respond, "And yet, I have tried new things before, and even if it didn't turn out how I wanted, I have learned great lessons and persevered with God at my side. This time will be no different."
Another voice says, "They don't love you; see how they exclude you? You just aren't cool enough."
You respond, "And yet, I have many who love me and accept me. I will look to those who care for me as I am, and anyone who doesn't give me the love and respect a child of God deserves shouldn't be someone I hang out with anyway."
Another voice says, "We should keep thinking about what happened to us. We should stay hidden and on guard so no one can hurt us again."
You respond, "And yet, God forgave me and asked me to forgive them, so I did. God is protecting me and has given me discernment, wisdom, and love for myself, so I need not be afraid to love with my whole heart."
Another voice says, "What we did was so awful. We should keep beating ourselves up, as we deserve to be punished."
You respond, "And yet, I have sought the Lord's forgiveness and made amends with those I have hurt. God has forgiven me, and I have done everything I can to make things right. Jesus even took on my sins to atone for what I did, so continually beating myself up is both a waste of precious time and a slap in the face to the God I love."
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
You do not have to sit and listen to or believe those poopie voices.
You can choose to listen to the voice of God that tells you:
And yet,
What God's voice is telling you is the absolute, indisputable truth.
God wants you to experience all the joy, love, and even pain this life brings and to feel supported, comforted, and loved, knowing He is with you and speaking to you every step along your journey.
Whatever poopie thoughts those voices are telling you, remember God's ever-present, often quieter and calmer, "And Yet."
Maybe write some of your regular poopie pontifications and practice your responses.
My favorite is:
And Yet, God loves me, always and forever.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Romans 8: 38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 46:10-11
"Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth."
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.