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| J. Purcell, blogger |
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote the book Spiritual Depression, and he mentioned too much introspection as a builder of stress. He also mentioned being too hard on ourselves and expecting perfection as major causes of creating and feeding stress.
C.H. Spurgeon (The Mourner's Comforter) focused on paying attention to the self. He said that whether we are aware of it or not we are beloved of God. He wrote many books and sermons to try to wake readers and listeners up, to pay attention to the wonders they were missing.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones and Mr. Spurgeon said almost the same thing about focusing on the self. If the focus leads to too much introspection, then stress increases. If the focus leads us to realize that we are beloved of God as we are, imperfections and all, then how can we live as people ruled and made sick by stress?
When we are most stressed that is when we need to do less introspection and apply more awareness, or focus, of who we are to God. For me, the awareness often starts with simple yet beautiful things of nature. I even enjoy fog! (If I don't have to drive in it.) I find the rare fog we have where I live to be beautiful and mysterious in its misty-ness.
A common denominator needed when stressed is to stop and pay attention to what is happening in our world, right around us. We may enjoy or be surprised if we are open to looking, listening, and opening our minds.
Paying attention feeds our needed sense of awe and wonder. Paying attention asks us to make more time to notice beyond ourselves. God is speaking to ue, aiming to get our attention, often, while we keep looking the other way. I love the psalmist's words, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). "Does not wisdom call out..." (Proverbs 8)?
