Words of Wisdom, Email Newsletter
Plant seeds of wisdom today
Take the next 22 or so breaths slowly and reflect deeply on your life. I hope these words help you grow in you the most valuable treasure in life: wisdom. Wisdom grows imperceptibly but flourishes like a mighty oak, standing the test of time
WoW 115: On the emotional labor of silence
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We call therapy doing your work, because it is a kind of emotional and psychological labor that takes a tool on your body. Doing your work develops fortitude in a very unique way.
Grieving, healing from trauma, early recovery are all exhausting, yet necessary suffering. .
When we get still and silent, unprocessed suffering rises to the surface. Until you learn to sit in silence and experience the necessary suffering of your life, you will experience exponential additional suffering.
If you want to become mature, you must be willing to face your thoughts and emotions in silence.
This best occurs with a combination of intentional solitude and deep connection, such as doing therapy.
Develop fortitude and peace of mind by saying yes to difficulty. Sometimes the most difficult thing is to simply sit in silence. Simply step into silence, pay attention, and pray by listening.
Quotes
"Solitude is the furnace of transformation."
Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart
"In silence comes God's meaning to the heart. I cannot judge when it enters the heart. I can only judge by results. God's word is spoken to the secret places of my heart and, in some hour of temptation, I find that word and realize its value for the first time. When I need it, I find it there. 'Thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.'"
Questions
Which do you need to grow more in: physical acts of courage or emotional?
What do you hear when you get silent?
(Use these questions as a journal prompt and to guide your prayers this week)
Endnote
God is inviting you into silence. Do whatever it takes to prioritize daily silence and solitude in your life.
Live wisely,
Josh
P.S If you want to hear more about the book I'm writing, click here to follow along my journey.
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Did someone send this to you? Do you want to cultivate more of the good, true, courageous, and beautiful in your life?
Join the growing community and subscribe to receive my Words of Wisdom every Wednesday.
