A New Power Tool I Use Daily!

That time I agonized for a solid month led me to the greatest freedom I have ever experienced.  It was the month that I cried every single day.  There was a lot of pain, and just so you know, it wasn’t the month of February with 27 days either.  It was a full on 31 day mourning period.  I am so grateful for it because had I not been so distraught, I would not have called my friend and mentor who I affectionately call.......the “wise one.” 

By distraught, I remember telling the “wise one” (thats what I call this wise friend of mine) that if this was as good as it got, I was done… out…. Did not want to live.  Man isn’t pain good at doing that kinda number on us?   After patiently listening to me go on and on about my situations, his gentle and profound words rocked me.  The impact drove me to keep his words verbatim in my Bible.  Memorizing them, I use the same statement in nearly  every coaching session.  You see, the pain in that month was my training ground; for now, I am able to bring this statement to you now. 

Then he said to me, “The reality you experience springs from the embedded story you are telling yourself.”  Then he asked me, “What embedded stories have you been telling yourself, what words do you need to re-frame over your life?”

      *In my case the stories sounded kinda something like this:

       “Why can’t I get it right?  What is wrong with me?  What am I doing wrong?”

         ( there were more questions laced in victim mentality )

      *I was buried in pity party and victimization and still digging deeper. 

      *I felt I had done all the right things in life and I was still getting the SHAFT. 

      *Fear was working overtime in my heart.

The conversation continued about re-framing my personal story; and creating the experiences I want to live in through my thought life. 

There are many ways to re-frame our thoughts; create our realities.  My personal favorite is through gratitude.  Sounds easy, huh.  Not so much when your heart hurts, or you are stressed about  how you are going to make the bills.  How about when you are sure “that job” is the one you are going to get and you really nailed the interview, yet, they didn’t call you back.  How easy is gratitude then?  In my experience, THAT is exactly when we should belt out the “thank you’s” at the top of our lungs!

Supernatural things happen when we practice gratitude.  When all we can do is lay in bed beating on a pillow and crying “Thank you for this pain?”  That is when beautiful masterpieces begin to form from the painful ashes of our life.  These moments are the sacrifices of praise that when offered up are  received, and healing peace is poured out. 

Often, I needed to coach myself out of a potential situation.  And by situation, I mean, a slight pity party.  Recently, stressed and overwhelmed by some disturbing news over a person I love very much, on top of a few closed doors in my own life came upon me somewhat abruptly, and I am grateful I had the tools in my tool belt to pull out.  Before the crying month and the “wise one’s” words this could have sent me into a mini spiral.  But My trusty tool slid right out of my holster, and I got busy with it.  My tool was GRATITUDE.   I was about to get to some RE-FRAMING, and REALITY CHANGING with this tool.  The beauty in the tool wielding is that my circumstances in the physical may not change immediately, but my perspective sure does!  My heart is postured differently. 

Here is what happened.  I decided that I was going to journal a different way.  I was not going to pray and ask for relief, requests, or petitions.  I was going to call out my gratitude for the things I wanted to see happen.  I thanked my Creator for his gifting in me.  I thanked him for this  because the good stuff was on the way!  I thanked Him for the things I wanted to see happen.  All good things he promises us.  His kingdom come means health, vitality, joy, provisions, prosperity.   I thanked him for these promises!  I told new stories!   I created new realities in my gratitude. 

What happened next brought an amazing peace and comfort, in the beautiful gift of a butterfly that flew right up to me, landed on my journal, and sat there staring at me for a few seconds before flying away.    Butterflies have always been special to me;  a symbol of His love, and good gifts to come.  When that butterfly landed right on my journal, my words, it was a reminder from the dream bringer himself, that “he’s got this”

           

You see, He will never leave, forsake, abandon, or carrot dangle!  He is good and he loves it when we are thankful!  He wants us to call it out!  Peace like no other follows, stress relieved, and rest. 

Basically the take away here is this.... You will get the SHAFT.  Shaft happens.  What are you gonna do with it? 

Think about it.  What stories are you telling yourself?  How is that working?  What new stories do you need to tell yourself?