A New "New-Normal"
We are now entering an interesting season. Life is not what it was three months ago, but it is not what it was three or four weeks ago either. With the height of a global pandemic behind us, we look forward. I am aware that in my own heart I have hesitations, questions and uncertainty. Some about the safety of my love ones, but much more about what it will be like to return to a society that is different than when we left it.
There is only one way to navigate this new “New-Normal,” and that is with being connected to our hearts. When we know what our emotions are, we can start to identify what we need from others or ourselves. We will have to admit that the last season held pain…loss…hurt.
In order to heal we will have to learn to trust again. We will need to surrender the control that was available to us in quarantining ourselves from the world. Despite the disappointment of last season, we will have to choose hope.
This will be the hardest part yet for two groups of people. First, the ones who are not in touch with their heart. The second group will be those who hold onto judgment or offense.
There are many ways that we choose to disengage from our hearts in order to self-protect. These were coping mechanisms that helped us when the trauma of life got too big. However, they are not a lifestyle to be lived in. Here are three tips if you want to grow in connection with your heart. They are oversimplified, but a good place to start.
1. Take care of any Kingdom Business. Repent for building the walls as a way to self-protect and control. Forgive anyone who helped contribute to the building of the walls.
2. Turn on worship music and lay down. Invite Jesus to come and tear down any walls that are stopping you from getting in touch with your emotions. Stay there for 15-45 minutes.
3. I highly recommend The Voice of the Heart by Chipp Dodd. It is full of exercises to help you get in touch with your heart. Dodd writes about eight emotions, and from there how you can identify what your heart needs.
Offense and judgments can be rooted in pride but also hurt. Either way, offense is a heavy burden to carry, and it operates in a cycle. When we are offended, we become even more offendable, we are happy to hear that others are offended, and we draw to us those that are also offended. Not choosing offense doesn’t mean giving up your beliefs, even your strong ones. It is about posturing your heart in love and peace. In love, we quick to ask questions and prioritize understanding rather than being right. If you realize you have been walking in offense or judgment here are three tools to help break the pattern in your life.
1. It starts with choosing to stop believing that we know best.
2. Take care of Kingdom Business. Repent for holding onto judgment and offense. Forgive anyone that contributed to your offense-cycle.
3. Humbly have conversations to gain understanding from different perspectives.
The ones who will bounce back first will be those that have forgiven, who have mourned and pressed into their relationship with Christ. Let this be an encouragement to us as we decide how to navigate the muddy waters of a country that is reopening.