I’ve had something that’s been sitting in my spirit today to share, so here goes. 😊

It’s the whole adage of “I’m so thankful Jesus loves me in spite of [insert character flaw or moral failing here.]”

First of all, I want to start by saying that of COURSE Jesus loves each of us in our human, flawed state. We are His children, and ALL of us are imperfect. But as His children, He loves us too much to let us stay who we were before we accepted Him into our lives. ♥️

I think many people (myself included) have used the phrase “I’m so thankful Jesus loves me in spite of ________” as an excuse to continue to be complacent in their lives. Using it as an excuse to not grow in their walk with Christ. Using it as a crutch to stay where they are because anxiety is real and growth is scary.

But we are not called to sit still and stagnate! Stagnation will eventually lead to decay! The promise of God is that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name will be given to us—whatever we ask in faith, we can be delivered from! We only have to believe and live in obedience to His Word—it’s that simple! (John 16:23)

So when I’m facing something, and that spirit of anxiety or fear comes over me, or I am tempted in some way to act in a way that is not according to what He would have for me, I call it out as NOT OF GOD. Speak it OUT OF YOUR LIFE in Jesus’ name! Those things only have a home where you allow them to dwell! (2 Timothy 1:7)

Lastly, I’ve decided to flip the script. After casting those things out of my life that are not of God, (1 Peter 5:7) I will reframe my narrative. Instead of “Jesus loves me in spite of [insert excuse for non growth here]” I’m going to start saying, “Jesus loved me OUT of [my sin, my anxiety, my circumstance.]” Just imagine how that simple script change can affect your entire mindset, and in turn, your life!! And what a living testimony that can be to others!

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT
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As we get back into a ‘normal’ rhythm of things (the country opening back up, masks off, etc) I find myself looking back and mourning the year that will we never get back. A year of paused relationships outside our COVID bubble, a year of family get togethers with loved ones missed, sick friends/family that we were unable to comfort in person out of mandates and fear, our kids missing out on so many things in school, missed concerts and events. Life is SO precious. And so short. And we missed a YEAR. A WHOLE year.

But in the midst of the mourning, I have to remind myself that “the year that shall not be named” also gave all of us pause to recognize the things that are important, and perhaps cherish the blessed moments a little more than we might have, had we not gone through it. Intentionality of relationships has been a big one for me personally. It’s so easy to get caught up in the shuffle of our renewed busyness and use that as an excuse not to reconnect or connect anew.

I also keep reminding myself that mourning is GOOD. I’m gonna say that again for the people in the back. MOURNING. IS. GOOD!! Acknowledging and grieving what we have lost so that we can MOVE ON in a right mindset to carry on in the mission that Christ has for us. Stop living in fear. Find that joy again. Make that lunch date. Have a game night. Hug somebody! Treasure the luxury of seeing the lower half of people’s faces again! There are so many things that we take for granted!

So take a moment, mourn, acknowledge loss, thank God for the blessings you have and move FORWARD joyfully in whatever the Lord has called you to do!

Those of you who somehow stumbled here from the deep recesses of the internet (or those who are lovely, supportive family and friends–thank you) may wonder why I’m starting a blog in 2021, when blogs are not all the rage that they once were. I realized that I needed to have an outlet for the thoughts that have been swirling in my head and that I have been, up to this point, typing out in the notes app of my iPhone.

But notes in your iPhone don’t do much good except take up storage space. And I realized that once the Lord puts a word in your heart, if you don’t share it, you’re essentially “hiding it under a bushel,” as the old children’s song states.

Hence the name of my blog, “Reluctant Extrovert.” I am an introverted woman of God who recognizes that in order to be obedient and share what the Lord is putting on my heart to share, I am choosing to be reluctantly extroverted. Because are we even growing in Christ if we’re not uncomfortable at least a little bit?

And as I have been known to do things in my own sweet time and not when all the cool kids are creating the blogs, well, here I am.

I hope that the thoughts swirling around in my brain will be a help, a hope, and maybe a comfort to those who are kind enough to read.

#zerotohero #reluctantextrovert #diaryofareluctantextrovert