Meditations
26 important things to think about
CONTEMPLATION
Today, I was going through some of my journals and found a bunch of short thought blurbs that I had written down over the past months as reminders. I thought you all would enjoy reading them, so here are some of them...
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If someone says something that hurts you, you must only ask yourself this: Is it true? If it is not, then the matter does not concern you. If it is, extend gratitude, for you have been seen correctly.
If someone treats you unjustly, do not be surprised, for justice will not prevail in this life. You are not called to enforce your rights. Instead, stand on grace.
If you get offended, step back. What part of yourself have you just been reminded of? Why do you hold it in such disdain?
If someone lashes out at you, respond with compassion. Ask yourself what pain they are dealing with that they must force it upon others.
If you dislike someone, assume they are a mirror reflecting something of yourself you do not love.
If you grow jealous, remember that you are created in the image of God. By divine authority, you are called to walk your path and be grateful for it.
If you are overwhelmed, remind yourself of what is important. Prioritize prayer. Do first the things that matter.
If you do something, be aware of your intentions. You can do bad things with good intentions, good things with bad intentions, and good things with good intentions. If your actions fit into the last of these, do not hesitate.
If an action is honorable, necessary, virtuous, and right, do not hesitate.
If you are wrong, do not hesitate to admit it. Do not hold on to falsehood to protect your pride.
If you speak, say only what is honest, share only words you can stand behind, and exhibit only behavior you are willing to stand behind.
Do not hide your intentions. Instead, let them be seen clearly as they guide your actions.
Accumulate no debt in the form of lies, unclear communications, misunderstood actions, or hidden intentions. If this should still happen, as unforeseen things often do, hasten to clear it up and pay off that debt.
Do not strive to achieve status, for that is bestowed upon those who collect what society deems valuable. Those who are high in status are often the lowest slaves to the opinions of those around them.
Flee temptation, but face your demons. If an external force may cause you to betray God or your honor, remove yourself from its seductive pull. However, that which leads you astray from within must be destroyed. For you cannot destroy all temptation, and you cannot escape yourself.
Live courageously. All else is slavery or death. In courage lies freedom. In courage lies purpose, choice, and responsibility.
Do not test God, for that was the act of the devil (Matthew 4:1).
In life, you will suffer. You get to choose what you suffer for. Will it be because you try to enforce your own will or because you take up the cross of Jesus?
When hardship arises, be thankful. That is an opportunity to grow.
Remove all pride from your heart. A prideful man can have no God above himself. Pride will blind and corrupt you.
Be intentional. Don’t sway in the wind, get tossed by the waves, and flow with the current. Search for purpose, find your talent, set a trajectory, and be intentional.
Never be heard complaining, regardless of your circumstances. Instead, rejoice. Complaining changes nothing and restrains you from seeing the beauty in hardship.
Do hard things because they’re hard. The more you push yourself voluntarily, the less you will suffer involuntarily.
Morality is not a business decision. Act morally and with a pure heart, even when the outcome is unfavorable. Do not compromise integrity to fulfill a desire you have.
Pleasure passes, but the shame remains. In the same way, good works fade while the virtue and impact that come from them endure.
At night, reflect on your day. Meditate on your actions, your thoughts, and the posture of your heart; if you have no regrets, if your conscience is clean, and if a prayer is on your lips, it was a good day.
