Quit That!

Hello to friends and family from my little studio by the Bay. I hope this finds you all doing well. I have been doing some thinking again. Or rather, God has planted something in my heart. Uh oh…watch out! I hope as you read this, it gives you pause to ask God about it for yourself.

Maybe it is just me, but I feel like so many of us are road weary; weary of what is going on all around us, as well as, our ability or lack thereof, to hold on to our joy and happiness. There is always something shoved in front of us to remind us of that, and it wears on us. We also don’t always want to admit it. So let’s get into this a little more.

What IF there are things we need to quit that aren’t so good for us, in order that we allow God to bring good things INTO our lives to take its place? What if instead of vegging in front of the TV a lot more than we should, that we gave up that time to read, learn, communicate with others, and more time with God in prayer? What IF we didn’t scroll through our social media sites just to occupy our minds, or as a creative avoidance mechanism. These thoughts made me come back to the question of what I might need to quit, or even WHO, I might need to quit in order for me to be more open to something God may be trying to communicate to me? Ouch! It is like this picture of a fence in the way of growth, but it found its way through to grow on the other side. The fences in our life may need to come down or be cleared (quit) in order for us to grow in another way. We may need a breakthrough in our own thinking; the freedom to let go to even ask ourselves this question about what I need to quit doing or give up?

Do you think the “quit” idea feels threatening? It really is about something within your life that you could quit doing or quit doing as a habit, so that, (you know I love that phrase) God can do something else in your spirit, soul, and body, as well as, your way of thinking. I have found that to be true for me. Right now, I find myself in front of the TV much more than I should. Sure, some of it is even educational. However, if done every night for several hours rings your bell, then it might be what I, or you, need to quit.

There are seasons that require change and we also may need that change with ourselves. With that said, what is something you may need to eliminate, and why do you need to eliminate it? We often attribute quitting as something negative, like we have just given up and leave it. But if we look at it as what we do to give ourselves more time and clarity, then it becomes a very positive thing! In my case I can share this with you in hopes that you can change this as often as you may need to ask the question. I have many more years behind me than before me. Before age catches up with you and you are so into your habits, and you can’t see the value in leaving it behind for the unknown of what God will give back to you, I say, “Quit that thang!” Adventure with God is amazing, but we do have to be willing to listen and then obey. I know I am asking that same question over my life right now.

So…I’m putting a short post out here for you to ask yourself that question: “What do I need to quit and why?” After that, I would love to hear in the comments regarding what you quit, and if you think it changed you and your relationship with God in the process. If so, how? Let’s take the “quit” step together!

Until next time…

~JoAnn