Survival tips for introverts at Christian Festivals
Things more famous than ‘celebrity’ big brother contestants
Phoebe was never meant to end up with Mike!
Things to do in a boring sermon
Survival tips for introverts at Christian Festivals
Things more famous than ‘celebrity’ big brother contestants
Phoebe was never meant to end up with Mike!
Things to do in a boring sermon
This book is brilliant, everyone should read it, it should maybe even be on the National Curriculum.
I believed this before I even read it. The quotes on the front, back, and inside covers set the bar very high indeed – here are a couple of my favourites:
And they’re correct. Technically an autobiography, we travel with Matt Haig through his experience of anxiety and depression, through five sections: “Falling”, “Landing”, “Rising”, “Living” and “Being”.
One of my favourite things about the book is that I don’t think there was a chapter longer than 6 pages, and most chapters were 1-4 pages – it’s well and truly bite-size, which is handy for something that while massively educational for some, has the risk of being triggering for others. It’s not a long book either – it’s quite small in size, well spaced, and only ~250 pages, so really not too intimidating. For what can be a very heavy subject, it’s broken down brilliantly.
For me this book had two very different sides to it. I’ve said before that I have anxiety disorder, and so for that section of the book, I was reading him put into words things I’ve felt but never been able to explain, and just reading about others that have the same struggles is encouraging in knowing you’re not alone. The other half, depression, I have friends that struggle with this, but don’t know a tonne about it myself, and so for this side of the story, it was hugely educational. As someone experienced, and someone clueless, this book had something to say to me.
Some chapters are simply lists: How to be there for someone with depression or anxiety, Things that (sometimes) make me better, and of course, Reasons to stay alive, among many others. There’s also a further reading list at the back.
I’ve put some of my favourite nuggets below, but please please read this book.
We had a great sermon this weekend – here’s the passage and my notes 🙂
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
This passage gives us things to watch out for so we can stand firm in the Lord and persevere in our faith (v1)
Disagreements, disunity and unforgiveness can weaken the church and destroy our faith.
Warmth of close Christian friendship strengthens the church and builds our faith.
The ground of our joy can never be in our circumstances.
If our joy is based on our circumstances, then when they change we’ll be miserable.
Our joy and delight must be in the Lord.
When you get down in the dumps, read the promises of Christ.
Try reading Ephesians 1 vv 3-14 and dare to still be miserable at the end!
Crowds gather with excitement for royalty or celebrity.
We should have expectancy and excitement for the arrival of the King of kings!
The Lord is also near through the Holy Spirit in us.
It can be helpful to memorise verses that relate to personal issues for us, and then speak them to your spirit when you struggle.
Some find it helpful to keep a prayer journal or prayer diary. It helps concentration, and helps look back and see how God has answered prayers. Then we can pray with thanksgiving and have greater confidence as we go on praying!
As we bring worries and anxieties to God and leave them with Him, He gives us His peace in exchange.
Peace means wholeness, soundness, well-being, oneness with God, every kind of blessing!
Others can’t understand how we can be so peaceful amidst major worries.
The world we live in is quite different to this. We are bound to be tempted daily by wrong thoughts!
“You can’t stop a bird flying overhead, but you can stop it nesting in your hair” – Martin Luther
“Occupy your minds with good thoughts, or the enemy will fill them with bad ones; unoccupied they cannot be.” – Sir Thomas More
The way to get wrong thoughts out is to get right thoughts in.
Starting the day with this from the moment we wake up is a great way to start, to set the agenda for the day.
Our unseen thought life is like the roots of a tree – our ability to withstand the storms of life depends on the strength of the unseen parts.
The hardest part of all of this is putting it into practice!
We must practice:
I just wanted to share a little bit of testimony from the week
I have problems with anxiety disorder, have done for years, and last year got bad enough to go on anti depressants. Sometimes panic attacks are triggered by nothing particular, but high pressure situations are often tricky. E.g. last month I went to the theatre and in the interval I had my worst panic attack in 6 years.
So I never expected to get through a week in a new country, new continent, new food, new people, new all sorts – it was going to be difficult. I thought that even if I managed to remain in control all week I’d at least be fighting it and it’d be hard work.
I was fine ALL WEEK. Other than a slight issue with breakfast on the first day which didn’t even feel that anxiety like, I didn’t even feel a slight hint of it. I had many friends and colleagues praying for me over the week and God massively exceeded my expectations!!!
Praise God!!