Season of “Shut up”

I listened to a sermon on television last week about there being seasons in our lives where we are called to “shhhhh”. This seemed like a new concept for me, so I listened intently and what I discovered is that by keeping the door closed (our mouths shut) we don’t let our opinions and negative self-talk help the enemy’s attack. Our words have power, and they can either elevate us or fortify the lies of the enemy about being unworthy.

This led me to ask if God is placing me in a season of “shhhhh” because let’s face it, this has been a difficult season for me. By keeping quiet, I am getting serious about my mental health in ways that keep the enemy at bay. I learned that an anxious and depressed mind is a negative mind, so what better way to keep those negative thoughts at bay than to simply shut up. Yes, we can be our own worst enemy and let’s face it, we spend way too much time with ourselves to let these thoughts become dominant.

This morning I woke up anxious. There was no particular reason, well at least I didn’t think so, but truth be told, I am a work in progress, and I take a few steps forward and then one or two steps back. This is the reality of progress and healing. It’s not always a gainful walk. We may encounter setbacks, but this is where we need to learn to close the door. The door to negative self-talk, doubt, fear, loss, unworthiness, and the list goes on. All these negative emotions are not from God, so if we shut the door, then we are shutting the enemy.

What God tells us is that we have the power to defend ourselves. He lives inside of us and that’s why community is so important. We need the subtle and sometimes obvious reminders from others to not agree with the enemy. His only goal is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) and we don’t want to aid in his efforts. This same scripture goes on to say that God has come so that we may have life and have it to the full. Praise God that there are two paths, and one definitive path that leads to everlasting life.

Although I didn’t wake up full of joy and expectancy, I was able to spend some quiet time with God this morning and share my afflictions. In the midst of doing so, I thanked him for waking me up, for the prospect of healing through the help and tools I am receiving, and for this time to place my thoughts in writing, which centers me and gifts me the beauty of the present moment.

Since making time for this blog, I have become more in tune with so many people that find themselves on a similar journey. People in my family, friends, and people I come in contact with. Just this morning I saw a 10-year-old boy crying as he made his way to the counseling center with his mom. My heart went out to him for being so young and afflicted. In the midst of crossing paths with him, I said a prayer for him and his mom. I prayed that God who knows this young boy’s pain is walking with him, sending the right people and help. The one good thing about being down is that there is only one way to move and that is up.