When was the last time you got knocked down in life? It could have been a physical, emotional or spiritual hit.
Prior to 2006 I found myself knocked out in the ring. I had trained 4 hours a day, 6 days a week for the Colorado State Championship in World Tae Kwon Do only to be knocked out by an illegal hook kick to my head. As the referee was counting down from 10 to 0, I remember coming to at about the count of 4 and thought there is no way I’m going down like this. I felt a swell of strong emotions within my gut which catapulted me to my feet. I went after my opponent like a crazy spider monkey. I ended up winning the silver medal yet will never forget the wisdom I received from my 8th degree black belt trainer who caught me off guard as my ego escorted me off the podium: “Lauren, you lost…because you allowed your emotions to hijack your skill set.”
How often in life do we allow our emotions to hijack our skill set in the Lord? For example, an email is sent out for an upcoming meeting, and you were not included. The emotion of fear of missing out or being over-looked or not included hijacks your brain’s God given ability to maintain peace and calm.
In neuroscience, we are toggling back and forth throughout our days between what’s referred to as “bottom-up thinking” and “top-down thinking”. I find it fascinating that even within this field of science, they use the phrase “top-down thinking” and link it to our ability to find solutions to undesirable circumstances. Of course, God is the source of all wisdom and emotional intelligence. Jesus was not confined by status or the rhetoric of worry that flows from being “over-looked”.
Let’s just say, in the example mentioned above, that instead of giving your emotions more authority than the guidance of the Holy Spirit within you, you decide to pause and pray: “Lord, I’m feeling strong negative emotions hijacking my thinking. Please help me to see this situation through your eyes and respond with behavior that glorifies you.” The Holy Spirit floods our undesirable circumstances with counsel and guidance along with activating the “top-down solution-based thinking.” You receive guidance to ask for clarity instead of creating a story based on mind-reading. You reach out to the coordinator of the meeting and inquire as to why you were not included in this particular meeting only to find out that you were left off the invite because your schedule has been swamped and the coordinator wanted to give you a break.
You have a choice of response to each situation in life. Will you give into the flood of emotions, or will you pause and pray when you feel knocked down in life? The choice is yours and makes ALL the difference in the outcomes you experience.
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Eight weeks ago, I was in a bad bike accident that resulted in a mild concussion and two broken arms. I share the story in this podcast. Take time to listen to the story in the below Edge God In Podcast and write down the 5 questions that are shared that you can use to help you get into the “top down thinking” when life knocks you down.
Listen to the Edge God In Podcast: How to Get Back Up After Falling Down
Lauren E Miller, M.Ed, MSC, ICF-PCC
As a stress relief expert, award winning author, motivational speaker, HRD trainer, Edge God In podcast host, and certified executive and life coach, Lauren facilitates fun process driven programs with guidance, support and accountability creating positive sustainable behavioral change in business and personal life.
Lauren has worked in youth and adult ministries for over 30 years. Through God’s mercy, grace and strength, she uses her experience simultaneously conquering two of life’s top stressors: cancer and divorce to help others destress and successfully move through challenges.
Happily, remarried and gratefully enjoying life in Colorado with a loving husband, three grown children and two grandchildren, Lauren is often found in the kitchen dancing to her favorite worship music or rolling around on the floor with her two dogs.
Lauren holds a Masters in Adult Education with a Certification in Human Resources Development | Advanced Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Basic & Master Certification | Faculty Shift Leadership Training | Master Sherpa Executive Coach (MSC) and ICF Certification PCC | 2nd degree blackbelt World Tae Kwon Do
Lauren has produced 8 CD’s and five 3 minute/30 day Audio/Visual Personal Excellence/Wellness Programs. She has authored 9 books, 3 of which are Award Winning:
- Hearing His Whisper…with every storm Jesus comes too
- 99 Things You Want To Know Before Stressing Out!
- Stop Letting the World Be the Boss of You! 25 Solutions to Refresh Your Identity in Christ
Edge God In Podcast: http://EdgeGodIn.com
