Shades of green Karen Jordan |
Have you ever become annoyed over someone else’s bad attitude? Then later, you looked into the
mirror and thought, I am so negative!
How do we get rid of those destructive attitudes and thoughts?
The other day, I found myself in one of those brutal, self-examinitive moods. I felt depressed and
frustrated about being isolated in my home office, even though I knew that I needed solitude to work on
my writing projects.
Through the years, I’ve struggled with the seclusion that being a writer requires. And often my frame of
mind distracts me from my work, or it tempts me to go back into the workplace for more social interaction.
A spiritual battle. This particular day, I decided to pray about how to overcome this battle, instead of
running from it. I knew it was a spiritual battle—an attack from the enemy of my soul—trying to
discourage me. I needed to reconsider the power of God’s Word.
I thumbed over to Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV).
As I read the passage, my mind focused on the word “lovely,” wondering, How on earth can I find
something “lovely” to think about? I wasn’t feeling particularly “lovely,” and nothing around me seemed
“lovely” at that moment. But I continued to dwell on His Words, even questioning God’s leadership to this
specific verse.
A way of escape. Struggling with my anxious thoughts, I carted my portable office outside to our back
patio (a benefit of working from home). I hoped to discover how this scripture could possibly help me
refocus—away from my negative thoughts.
As I sat down to read again, a rustle in the branches of our Bradford pear tree distracted me. Two
squirrels, playing tag, tumbled from the tree and scampered up the wooden fence, as a blue jay drove
them from his territory.
I sat there enjoying God’s creation, surprised at the activity in my own backyard. The leaves waved in
the breeze, and the sun peeked through the branches, casting shadows on the ground. Surrounded by
shades of green, I relaxed in my lawn chair.
A lovely thought. Then, the word “lovely” reappeared like a stirring wind, sweeping my worries away
and lifting my emotions. A calm settled in on me, and suddenly everything seemed right with me once
again.
Lovely, I thought, “This” is lovely! After just a few minutes, focused on God’s Word and bathed in the
shades of green, I returned to my office. Thankful for the “lovely” moment, I could now enjoy the peace
and solitude of my home, while I concentrated on the next writing project.
mirror and thought, I am so negative!
How do we get rid of those destructive attitudes and thoughts?
The other day, I found myself in one of those brutal, self-examinitive moods. I felt depressed and
frustrated about being isolated in my home office, even though I knew that I needed solitude to work on
my writing projects.
Through the years, I’ve struggled with the seclusion that being a writer requires. And often my frame of
mind distracts me from my work, or it tempts me to go back into the workplace for more social interaction.
A spiritual battle. This particular day, I decided to pray about how to overcome this battle, instead of
running from it. I knew it was a spiritual battle—an attack from the enemy of my soul—trying to
discourage me. I needed to reconsider the power of God’s Word.
I thumbed over to Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV).
As I read the passage, my mind focused on the word “lovely,” wondering, How on earth can I find
something “lovely” to think about? I wasn’t feeling particularly “lovely,” and nothing around me seemed
“lovely” at that moment. But I continued to dwell on His Words, even questioning God’s leadership to this
specific verse.
A way of escape. Struggling with my anxious thoughts, I carted my portable office outside to our back
patio (a benefit of working from home). I hoped to discover how this scripture could possibly help me
refocus—away from my negative thoughts.
As I sat down to read again, a rustle in the branches of our Bradford pear tree distracted me. Two
squirrels, playing tag, tumbled from the tree and scampered up the wooden fence, as a blue jay drove
them from his territory.
I sat there enjoying God’s creation, surprised at the activity in my own backyard. The leaves waved in
the breeze, and the sun peeked through the branches, casting shadows on the ground. Surrounded by
shades of green, I relaxed in my lawn chair.
A lovely thought. Then, the word “lovely” reappeared like a stirring wind, sweeping my worries away
and lifting my emotions. A calm settled in on me, and suddenly everything seemed right with me once
again.
Lovely, I thought, “This” is lovely! After just a few minutes, focused on God’s Word and bathed in the
shades of green, I returned to my office. Thankful for the “lovely” moment, I could now enjoy the peace
and solitude of my home, while I concentrated on the next writing project.
Karen Jordan, professional and technical writer, addresses topics about her
faith. family, and writing. Karen and her husband, Dan, live in Arkansas.
They have two married children and six grandchildren. Find Karen’s website
and blog at www.karenjordan.net.
faith. family, and writing. Karen and her husband, Dan, live in Arkansas.
They have two married children and six grandchildren. Find Karen’s website
and blog at www.karenjordan.net.
© 2009 Karen Jordan. All rights reserved.
