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Got the 2020 Blues? Here’s the 1 Thing We Need

July 24, 2020 by Lauren 18 Comments

If I had to choose one word to describe this year thus far, I would probably select “Challenging”.  I can think of other words, but I try not to cuss.  It’s not an exaggeration to say that 2020 reeks of pestilence, death and destruction.  And if you didn’t already have the blues, now you do.  You’re welcome.

 

As I spent time in God’s Holy Word this morning, I had a revelation.  While there are MANY ways this year could improve, there is one thing (besides the love and mercy of Jesus Christ) that can make it more palatable for all of us.  Are you ready?  Wait for it…

 

Humility

 

It feels strange to bolden that word, but it’s so meek I thought it needed a little flair.  The point?  We would all (myself included) float (or stumble) through the rest of this year with a lot more grace and quite probably less stress if we would approach each moment with more humility.

 

Don’t close the page.  Hear me out.  Humility is all about becoming “unselved”, if you will.  It’s liberating ourselves from constant navel gazing and focusing on ourselves.  Our wants.  Our needs.  Our rights.  But enough of my opinion.  Let’s look at it from a biblical perspective.

 

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.  Proverbs 15:33 NIV

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.  9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  Psalms 25:8-9 NIV

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.  Micah 6:8 NIV

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.  Proverbs 22:4 NIV

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  Philippians 2:3 NIV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  James 4:10 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  1 Peter 5:6 NIV

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  1 Peter 3:8 NIV

 

Let’s apply some of this scripture to the big doozy issues we face this year:

 

Coronavirus

If we bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2), our first concern becomes how to protect those around us from this disease.  We cease to worry about what we are missing, how hot and uncomfortable masks feel, and the ways we are inconvenienced.  We think less about our “rights” and more about keeping our friends, neighbors and even strangers well.  We may not know what others are dealing with.  Better to keep them safe than sorry.  I won’t pretend that this is easy.  Some days I feel I may lose my mind if I stay in this house with these precious children another minute.  But better I temporarily lose my mind than someone else lose his or her life.

 

Racism

 

Philippians 2:3 tells us to “value others above ourselves”.  I see no qualifiers here.  It doesn’t specify that the “others” have to look like you.  Or talk like you.  Or dress like you.  Or even believe like you (this one can apply to the next point as well).  If we display humility by valuing ALL others above ourselves, the issue of racism goes away entirely.  Our country’s history of sin still remains, but true humility will at least fix the present so people of color can begin to heal from the past.

 

Political Bashing

 

Every presidential election year I want to quit social media.  If I didn’t have this blog to promote, I would already be gone.  1 Peter 3:8 says to be “like-minded”.  Are we being commanded to see eye-to-eye?  No.  God created us unique.  It’s one of the most interesting things about relationships.  The rest of the verse gives context.  We are to be sympathetic (agreeable, congenial), compassionate (tenderhearted), humble (some translations say “courteous”) and loving.  I rarely see these characteristics present in political discourse.  To be humble in this arena is to allow others to have their own opinions without bullying, grandstanding or vitriol.

 

I could say so much more about humility, but I will practice it instead.  I plan to go back and study these verses again, and ask God to show me where my pride gets in His way.  Will you?

 

Prayer:

Father, examine my heart in the these areas and any others I fail to show the proper respect and deference for others.  Transform me and make me a servant in the order of your Son Jesus.  Thank You for the gift of Your Word to guide us and forgive me for the times I promote myself and my agenda over others.  

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

I had already cried twice and thrown myself quite a pity party on the day I found Confessions of a Caregiver Episode 8 – Fighting for Your Smile with a Fresh Perspective by Suzette of myconcretedove.com.  As almost every support system I had in place shut down or became unsafe for my daughter with special needs, Covid-19 felt less like a vacation from work and more like a prison.  I have complained entirely too much, but Suzette’s gentle reminder that I can change my perspective and “choose not to be miserable”, was much needed encouragement for me this week.  Maybe you need a perspective change too.

 

And thanks for sharing!  Here’s a button for your blog:

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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Filed Under: Christian, Coronavirus, Grace & Truth Link Up, humility, justice, prayer, race Tagged With: 2020, politics

Comments

  1. Barbara Harper says

    July 24, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    I agree, Lauren, this is such a needed quality, and it’s largely absent on social media. Thanks for the gentle reminder.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 27, 2020 at 10:45 am

      I consider social media to be a necessary evil for being a writer. Thanks, Barbara.

      Reply
  2. Suzette K. says

    July 24, 2020 at 5:37 pm

    Lauren, I’m grateful to be featured this week. Thank you.

    I must confess, I’ve never heard the term “navel gazing ” before. It made me smile. Yes, all of the areas you noted happen because of navel gazing. The focus is SELF, what I want, what I believe, I must be the voice of reason. If we would begin listening to others we might learn something of what they need. If we start listening more to the Holy Spirit, we might act to fill those needs.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 27, 2020 at 10:44 am

      You are more than welcome, Suzette. Such a good point! we can’t know what someone needs if we aren’t listening. AND listening to the Holy Spirit! Thank you for this valuable addition to the post!

      Reply
  3. Keith Haney says

    July 24, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    I agree about wanting to drop off social media during an election year. And I agree we need to find a way to listen and respect each other. We have the opportunity to be witnesses of God’s grace.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 27, 2020 at 10:39 am

      So true, Keith. Thank you so much for reading and weighing in. I hope to see you back soon!

      Reply
  4. Lisa notes says

    July 27, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    Humility is THE key virtue, I think. Without it, the others are a little tainted. Jesus left the most beautiful example of humility. But it’s also one of the hardest virtues to live on a daily basis so I appreciate your encouragement here, Lauren!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 28, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      The other virtues are a little tainted without humility. This is so true, Lisa. Never really thought of it that way. I so appreciate your wisdom and friendship.

      Reply
  5. Linda Stoll says

    July 28, 2020 at 7:26 am

    Good morning, Lauren.

    I love this invitation to be humble.

    More of us need to go there instead of thinking we have all the answers and know everything about everything.

    There’s grace in listening, learning, and yes, cultivating a humble spirit.

    Thanks for taking us there, friend …

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 28, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Thank you, Linda. It was a reminder for me as much as anything.

      Reply
  6. ~ linda says

    July 29, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Thank you for encouraging my heart with Scripture alongside these pertinent topics of today. The Scripture actually define where I desire my heart to go when thinking about these struggles, these hard things we are all dealing with today. ~ linda

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 30, 2020 at 11:22 am

      Thank you for reading and for the kind comments, Linda.

      Reply
  7. Karen Del Tatto says

    July 29, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    Very well said! Indeed, humility is paramount to the Christian life and ESPECIALLY in a year of challenges for EVERYONE. People are watching Christians and as a result, the way we handle the pandemic and national strife should reflect Christ Jesus in and through our words and actions. We are to reflect the light of Christ, and humility could not be a more fitting way to showcase who Jesus is and how He has changed us to reflect His image.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 30, 2020 at 11:22 am

      Karen, I hadn’t even thought of the aspect of believers being watched more than ever right now. Great thing for us to remember.

      Reply
  8. Anita Ojeda says

    July 29, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    Amen and amen! I love how you apply the word humility to all the crud that’s going around. Wise words we need to reflect on and incorporate into our lives.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 30, 2020 at 11:21 am

      Thanks so much, Anita. I am humbled. 😉

      Reply
  9. Shelbee on the Edge says

    July 30, 2020 at 10:26 am

    Lauren, you are brilliantly gifted with your words, my friend. I honestly think you just spoke my mind…words and thoughts and feelings that have been reeling in my mind for months but I have been unable to find the right words to express it all. Humility is absolutely the key. I think I have learned to be humble before all the things that are greater than me…the universe, the earth, the spiritual and heavenly world, relationships, cultures, races, all of the things that I am merely a small part of….these things have humbled me so much in the recent months. And while I want to quit social media on a daily basis as well (but I have to promote my blog haha) because it causes me to dislike humans very much and stresses me out, I still feel as if I am getting through this trying time with a lot of peace in my heart because I am humbled. I highly recommend this strategy that you have proposed…always be humble and kind. You can’t go wrong that way. Thanks so much for sharing and linking up with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 30, 2020 at 11:21 am

      Thanks, as always, for your kind words and adding to the conversation. Have a humble and kind rest of your week!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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