For a moment, I want you to do something that is a little strange sounding. Think back to the last real difficulty or challenging moment that you had. As you think back to it, I want you to consider a couple of things. First, what were the specific challenges that you faced? In what ways were you prepared for it? In what ways were you unprepared? What could you have done differently and perhaps seen a different result? As you think through these questions, perhaps even close your eyes and re-imagine the situation, or write down your reflections upon it.
I have come to believe that reflection is something that we do not attempt nearly enough in our lives. We go through a situation, we quickly brainstorm an idea or two, or simply do the first thing that pops to mind. Then, once the situation has come to its conclusion, we move along to the next one. What's lacking in all of this? Taking time to reflect.
If we take a few moments to reflect in the midst of the situation, we will likely come up with another direction or two that we could take. Further reflection can even provide us with an opportunity to see how each of these different approaches could lead to different results. Just a little reflection in the midst of the situation not only provides alternative avenues, but even the chance to consider if the avenue we are taking will lead in a direction we would like.
Additional reflection at the end also lends itself to bearing fruit. When we look back, we can see the various points at which we could have gone a different direction. We can reflect on if we made a good choice, a bad choice, an informed choice, or an uniformed choice. We can also take that opportunity to reflect on what we learned and what the situation has taught us for the next encounter we have.
Several recent studies I have read show that taking time to reflect is actually one of the best ways to ingrain what we learn from a situation. This is, for example, the power of journaling. We reflect and write down what happened, what our thoughts were, what our reactions were, and what we could have done differently. In doing this, we learn so much more than if we didn't take the time to reflect.
Taking this reflection approach also permits us to become more self-aware, to know who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are. Reflection can also allow us to learn what our "trigger points" are. When we are struggling with a sin, reflection can help us learn of how we react leading up to the sin, and perhaps can serve to give us clues on how to battle against that sin in our lives. Reflection also permits us to confess to God, knowing that He assures of us our forgiveness in Jesus, and to come to a greater awareness of our sins, faults, and flaws. In doing this, we come to a more realistic picture of who we are, and I am convinced that doing this will also grow us in appreciation for God's gift of Jesus and our baptism, which connects us to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Building this habit into daily life is not easy. I have tried and, while I do it quite often, I also find many times where I fail to reflect well. In the end, my times of reflection have served to grow my appreciation for God's Law and will, as well as to more fully understand the depths from which Jesus has rescued me. I pray that taking time for reflection may do the same thing for you.
I have come to believe that reflection is something that we do not attempt nearly enough in our lives. We go through a situation, we quickly brainstorm an idea or two, or simply do the first thing that pops to mind. Then, once the situation has come to its conclusion, we move along to the next one. What's lacking in all of this? Taking time to reflect.
If we take a few moments to reflect in the midst of the situation, we will likely come up with another direction or two that we could take. Further reflection can even provide us with an opportunity to see how each of these different approaches could lead to different results. Just a little reflection in the midst of the situation not only provides alternative avenues, but even the chance to consider if the avenue we are taking will lead in a direction we would like.
Additional reflection at the end also lends itself to bearing fruit. When we look back, we can see the various points at which we could have gone a different direction. We can reflect on if we made a good choice, a bad choice, an informed choice, or an uniformed choice. We can also take that opportunity to reflect on what we learned and what the situation has taught us for the next encounter we have.
Several recent studies I have read show that taking time to reflect is actually one of the best ways to ingrain what we learn from a situation. This is, for example, the power of journaling. We reflect and write down what happened, what our thoughts were, what our reactions were, and what we could have done differently. In doing this, we learn so much more than if we didn't take the time to reflect.
Taking this reflection approach also permits us to become more self-aware, to know who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are. Reflection can also allow us to learn what our "trigger points" are. When we are struggling with a sin, reflection can help us learn of how we react leading up to the sin, and perhaps can serve to give us clues on how to battle against that sin in our lives. Reflection also permits us to confess to God, knowing that He assures of us our forgiveness in Jesus, and to come to a greater awareness of our sins, faults, and flaws. In doing this, we come to a more realistic picture of who we are, and I am convinced that doing this will also grow us in appreciation for God's gift of Jesus and our baptism, which connects us to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Building this habit into daily life is not easy. I have tried and, while I do it quite often, I also find many times where I fail to reflect well. In the end, my times of reflection have served to grow my appreciation for God's Law and will, as well as to more fully understand the depths from which Jesus has rescued me. I pray that taking time for reflection may do the same thing for you.
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