Yay for Pastel Post-it Notes
"Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
In the past I've used this verse as a mantra of sorts. I've recited it when I feel fear or anxiety. I've clung to it when I'm overwhelmed by doubt or the unknown. Overall, my mind tends to just focus on the experiencing God's peace part. I know the other words are just as important, but when I’m worrying about something, I just want peace right then and there.
It's true that our brain can only retain so much information until we start shutting down. We hold bits and pieces, much like I do with this verse. I gloss over all the other words because, One) I’ve become too familiar with the words or Two) I haven’t taken the time to reflect on what the author is actually is saying.
A series of events happened this past week that had me reflect on this verse in a new way. It’s so much more than a mantra to recite. It’s rich with relationship and promise.
Let's back up a bit and break the verse down:
Line 1: Instruction (Don't worry and pray)
Line 2: Action (Ask God and thank him)
Line 3: Blessing or Gift (You will experience peace your mind can't understand)
Line 4: Promise (His peace will guard your hearts and mind)
Line 4b: Instruction/Action (As you live in Christ Jesus)
When you hear the words "don't worry," what happens in your mind and body? When I hear them, my first reaction is to fight or freeze the worrisome thoughts. I think, “I can’t just stop worrying when you say stop!” It doesn’t always work like that.
Yet, there’s more to the story, as there always is. This verse doesn’t just leave us with a command “stop, don’t, or quit.” The author guides us towards God’s peace, peace that is in God and in our relationship with him.
Practice
Take a minute and tap into your imagination for a bit. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring this verse to life.
Find a quiet space. Settle yourself for a few minutes.
Imagine worry as an image or scene. When you feel worry, what do you see, what’s it look like, or where are you? Maybe you’re sitting in a dark room where things are storming around you. Maybe you’re swimming in big a ocean without a life vest. Maybe it's a person trying to warn you about something. Maybe you’re at the top of a high rise building and there’s an earthquake. Whatever image comes to mind, sit in that space as much as you can. Let it come.
As you sit, move through the verse. Ask God and thank him even though you’re feeling the world crumble around you:
God, help.
Thank you for taking me through something like this already.
God, show me the path to peace.
God, calm things down.
Thank you for providing a friend to talk to, I’m going to call them.Let the scene of worry pass through as peace comes too. You words of petition and thanks are the flashlight in a dark room, the life saver in a storming ocean, or the covering in an earthquake. While worry might still be lurking, peace starts to show itself as more powerful.
We know gratitude is powerful, but do we really know how powerful? A dear friend of mine gave me an idea to cling to the wins in each day. In times of grief, pain, and healing, she encouraged me to celebrate all that God IS doing. Thanksgiving doesn’t lessen the weight of our trials by any means, but it sets our minds on God who is bigger. We all need moments to remind us that good work is happening amidst the hard work.
Yay Wall
With all that said, I started a YAY! wall in our home. It’s a space to record wins and practice thankfulness.
I went to Target, bought a family pack of post-it notes (Yay for pastel colored ones, which are way prettier than primary colored ones), I mapped out each day of the week, and filled an empty letter board that was already on the wall. Every night, I ask my husband and son what were their “Yay!” for the day. My son usually recites things like going to the playground, seeing trucks on the road, or drinking smoothies. I record 4-5 yay's and at the end of the day, then at the end of week we look back on all the things we can celebrate.
This simple but meaningful practice has done wonders for my mind and soul. We have things on paper I can tangibly see to remember good and holy moments in our days. It’s made me more curious and less shameful about the things that are hard and painful. It’s building relationship with my son, with my husband, and with God. I still struggle with worry (who doesn’t), but I’m tasting peace in the midst of it.
I get it, when things feel insurmountable, the last thing we want to do is offer up thanks. Yet, God wants to guard us and hold us in His peace during those times. What a good God! He’s wants us to be in relationship with him first and foremost. We ask him, trust him, and thank him, and he promises peace. Let peace come through relationship and through asking. Let peace come through thanksgiving.
Make your own yay wall
Supplies:
Multi-colored post-notes
Markers
Scotch tape
A letter board or an empty picture frame
Instructions:
Write out days of the week, Monday through Sunday. Each day gets a different color.
Spell out “Yay Wall” on your letter board or use a dry erase marker to write it on an empty picture frame. Hang it up!
Every day write 4-5 yay’s, things to celebrate, or things you liked about the day. Example: What are your Friday yay’s? Each yay gets its own post-it. Write the name of the person who said it and the date at the bottom.
Stick the note in line with the correct day. We like to add scotch tape to the bottom of the note as well.
Throughout your week or at the end of the week reflect on all the things to be thankful for. Thank God!
When the days are full, take them down, date the stacks, and store them in a special place or photo album.