go here to read all about it: http://www.imitating-christ.com/2013/02/01/my-next-ministry/
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I’ve started up a new blog about the spiritual life and leadership, it’s called: www.imitating-christ.com.
WHY? this blog is focused primarily on youth workers, with the new one, I’m writing for a broader audience. I’d like to write for all the different people my life intersects with, not just youth workers.
I’d like to still keep this blog going, but I won’t be able to give it the time it deserves. Would you like to be a writer for love God, love students? If you have your own blog, you could link to it at the bottom of each of your posts here.
If you liked this article, forward it to a friend. Find Matt on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. Get great youth worker resources HERE. Request Matt to speak at your next event HERE.
Last weekend, my gout flared up. If you don’t know what gout is, be thankful. Essentially it feels like broken glass has been haphazardly jammed into my ankle and then lit on fire. Think I’m exaggerating? Just ask anyone who has it…
Anyhow, it got me thinking about pain and how it affects me to the core:
1. Pain makes me grimace. That does nothing but worsen my mood. Studies show that smiling and frowning actually impact the way you think and feel. Our physical postures impact our attitudes, this is why kneeling is important for prayer. The grimace contributes to a downward smile.
2. Pain makes me focus on pain…and little else. Pain can be consuming. Other priorities shrink from view and I become even more selfish.
3. Pain makes me hopeless. It becomes my new reality that feels eternal because I can’t remember or imagine life without pain.
4. Pain makes me angry…at myself and God. I toggle between thinking I ought to be able to ignore it and questioning why God would let this happen. When I’m angry, I tend to have less patience with others.
5. Pain makes me more dependent on God. Even though the pain is powerful and sends me to places I’d rather avoid, there are moments when I choose to trust God. I smile, think on God’s goodness, become more thankful for heaven, and joyful for the blessings I still have.
QUESTION: how does pain make its impact on you?
If you liked this article, forward it to a friend. Find Matt on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. Get great youth worker resources HERE. Request Matt to speak at your next event HERE.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
Who will hear the good news from you today?
Who will be encouraged by your words?
What do people think of you when they see you in the distance, before you’ve had a chance to hear your message?
If you liked this article, forward it to a friend. Find Matt on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. Get great youth worker resources HERE. Request Matt to speak at your next event HERE.