In our family, we often critique each other’s driving skills. My daughter once came up with an interesting description of my driving style. She said that I am a “natural nudger.” It has been a joke in our family ever since. She observed that I have my own way of “helping” other people on the road become a little faster and more efficient on their journey to their destination. Despite my protestations, I had to smile and admit that there is a grain of truth in her observation. There are days when am on the road facing the stress of having things to do, places to go and people to see. When my life gets demanding, my natural tendency is to switch it into high gear and expect that others will do the same. Contrast my response with that of Jesus: He was a man in high demand Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. Luke 5:15 But His response was to retreat to seek God rather than to run harder and faster to meet all the demands, requests and expectations and then nudge others to do the same. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 He had things to do, places to go and people to see, yet his response was the opposite of a “natural nudger.” When under pressure, He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed, even as he faced the many requests, demands and expectations. When we face the pressure of many demands - things to do, places to go and people to see - we have the choice to try to work faster and more efficiently and nudge others to do the same or we can allow ourselves to be nudged by the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit as we frequently retreat to a quiet place to pray. When I am in the mode of a “natural nudger,” I am operating from a sense of panic – there is so much to do in so little time. But when I stop, withdraw and pray, even if only for a few minutes, I begin to operate out of a sense of peace which enables me to clearly and correctly think and respond physically, mentally and emotionally. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 In my driving, I have no doubt that I could create a much more peaceful and safe experience for myself and others on the road if I were to replace my tendency to be a “natural nudger” with a short prayer in a nearby parking lot to gain perspective and wisdom rather than reacting to the pressure.
In my life, I know that taking a few minutes away to pray would allow God to give me His perspective on a pressure-filled situation and respond out of sense of peace rather than panic. How about you? Will you follow the example of Jesus and take the time to retreat and pray even when facing the pressure of multiple demands, requests and expectations? Will you choose to run faster and harder or will you retreat and find wisdom and rest in God’s presence? If you have a question or comment about this blog post or any other information on this website, please click here. Comments are closed.
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About the AuthorHello! My name is Ginger Hill and I am a Christ follower and a n employee wellness professional. I am passionate about helping myself and others to live a healthy lifestyle and I believe that good health is essential in helping us to do the good works that God has called us to do. Because I am a work in progress, I write these blog posts to encourage myself and I share them with others in the hope that they may be encouraged as well.
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"But the godly will flourish...Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green."
Psalm 92:12,14 (NLT)
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Psalm 92:12,14 (NLT)
All Contents Copyrighted © Ginger Hill and Good Health for Good Works 2017-2022. No part of this website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted,
unless otherwise indicated. You may share this website by any of the following means:
1. Provide a back-link or the URL of the content you wish to disseminate.
2. Quote extracts (with context) from the website with attribution to www.goodhealthforgoodworks.org