Defeating Spiritual Insanity
You know the definition of insanity, right? “Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” Apply that to your spiritual life. You are not happy with the results of your devotional life, of what you receive at church, of the books you read, or the interactions with other Christians. You expect to see more change in your life from all these activities. Yet, you still get angry at the slightest offense. You still judge others. You still pout when you don’t get your way. You still dismiss sound advice. You still let pride dominate your heart. You still love yourself more than others. You’re still far too self-righteous. The list could go on and on. Yet, you keep doing the same things over and over, hoping that somehow you’ll be transformed into someone different. Insanity!
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]Here’s a challenging principle: To get different results, you must do different things. Ask the person who lost 25 pounds or the entrepreneur who grew her business or the American who learned to speak Portuguese. Ask the person who has a transforming relationship with God. What did you do differently that enabled you to get these results?
I write about your relationship with God. I’ve learned over the span of 15 years to engage God differently if I am to be transformed by him. What “worked” 25 years ago, no longer had the same results. So, I let go of many of the activities I once did in order to include practices that actually help change me. Here are a few:
- Consistent morning solitude with God
- Daily prayer that is primarily being with God in stillness but includes written prayers as well
- Fasting, weekly and at other lengthy times, from certain foods and habits
- Repeating the Jesus prayer throughout the day (especially in messy situations): Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- Regular connections with someone or a group on a similar journey as I am
- Becoming part of a church where peoples’ spiritual life and actual life transformation are primary reasons for its existence
- Including real-life reminders (pictures, icons, quotes, scripture verses) of God’s presence in me and with me
So, how about you? What will you do differently to get different results in your spiritual life? I would encourage you to not simply add something new to your already-established routines. But, examine your routines, let go of the ones that are not working, and include effective practices that will actually transform your heart and mind.
Comment below: What habit will you release that doesn’t “work” and what practice will you replace it with that actually gets results?
Dr. K