I'm having "one of those days!"

Plus, 5 things worth sharing this week.

Photo by Stefan Cosma on Unsplash

Hey Crashers,

Sometimes it’s hard to focus. Am I right? Maybe just to focus on helpful things rather than all the ‘stuff’ that’s going on.

Hopefully, if you’re having ‘one of those days,’ this edition will help you recalibrate and refocus. And if you’re not having ‘one of those days,’ hopefully this will inspire you to help those you are!!

Grace and Peace,

Cass & Rich

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In today’s issue:

• New music: All Praise… will have your voice and heart singing.

• A way to silence the noise: A neglected tool for the rest of us.

• A vulnerable audio edition: It turns out we all have those days.

• and more…

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1. Instead of trying harder, therapist Aundi Kolber suggests (in her new book) that we should ‘try softer.’ This is something Cass talks about in this week’s audio edition. (LINK)

2. This On Being podcast episode with theologian Walter Brueggemann dives deep into the prophetic imagination he discovered in the Old Testament prophets. Hopefully, it will spark your imagination too. (LINK)

3. This new song (All Praise) from CXMMXNS has been lifting our eyes off the world around us and onto the glory of God. Perfect for personal and corporate worship alike! (LINK)

4. What makes this piece of art Cass’s favorite and makes one man attack it with a hammer? Could it be the truth and beauty of the One it represents coming through the artist’s creation? (LINK)

5. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools has possibly been the most helpful book on prayer we ever read! The idea of silence is tough to grasp, but it is so beneficial for when you’re having ‘one of those days.’ (LINK)

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I’m having ‘one of those days.’

It was a Monday, about mid-morning, when it hit me.

I'd been up and about, doing all the usual morning routine things you do at the start of a new week.

My mind was racing.

My emotions were all over the show.

No, I wasn't depressed, but I was probably overwhelmed without realizing it.

Tired? Yes.

Stressed? Okay, yes to that, too.

Anxious? Perhaps a touch.

My inbox was jam-packed, and my to-do list was overflowing.

And I was attempting to be creative, which was nearly impossible.

And so, somewhere amidst all that, the question popped into my mind,

"What is happening today?"

A moment later, without consciously thinking, I said out loud,

"I'm having 'one of those days!'"

It was at that moment I realized I had a choice. I could lean into the swirl of negative thinking and emotions or arrest the situation and turn the day around.

Look, I'm no doctor or psychologist, so this is not advice for ongoing, severe lows in emotional well-being, etc. Please get proper help if you need it. I am talking about just having a day that's not quite where you'd like it to be emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or creatively. And let's be honest, we all have those days sometimes.

So what did I do?

Firstly, I stopped for a second and recognized the situation for what it was. And what was it? It was just "one of those days." Nothing more and nothing less. In the stopping, I made room for the Holy Spirit in the tornado of thoughts and emotions.

What did I hope the Holy Spirit would do? Well, nothing really. Nothing except calm my soul, that is. I just needed a few minutes to recognize God's place in it all, which realigned my own. This pause in the morning's franticness helped me get things in a better perspective.

I silenced my mind, and not just my mouth.

How?

I silenced my mind by filling it with scripture in the form of song. This helps my imagination to turn toward the good in my world, away from the downward spiral.

Songs, in fact, art itself, can help us to do as we're encouraged in the book of Philippians 4:8 to do;

"...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."

Despite what some may say, genuinely emptying one's mind is impossible. We're always thinking about something. Creativity can be a catalyst for capturing a God-shaped future in the imagination. And so, in the haze of "one of those days," I don't try to simply empty my racing mind of the frantic, crazy thinking without filling it with wholesome, Godly, Spirit-led thoughts.

Your art could be that catalyst.

I realize you may need help when you're having "one of those days," and I hope this simple reminder to still your mind and shift your perspective may be a good 'tip.'

But more that, may this be an encouragement to continue making and creating things that draw people into the bigger story. May you realize that the things you create can help others sense the Glory of God. They can be uplifted, encouraged, and perhaps even saved.

What an incredible privilege we have as creative representatives of Jesus on the earth. Your art can turn around a person's life, so instead of you having "one of those days," perhaps today could be "one of those days" of a different kind! The day 'the Lord has made.'

And remember - our humanity is God-given, and our vulnerability is a gift.

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