Stop Milking It - Wean for the Win!Sample

The God prod - part deux

Having security and identity in a ‘job’ or a ‘role’ – there’s nothing wrong with having a job you enjoy or a role you fulfil – I think we all want to make a difference whether that’s in paid work or voluntary things we do and that’s great. But if that job or role or voluntary work was removed, how would you respond and how would you cope? Is your confidence and your identity too entangled in your role at work or in any other role you fulfil?

Approval/praise from others. Encouragement is such a gift and the words of others can really uplift us. But is there someone in your life whose approval you always seek and if you don’t get it you feel deflated? Are you only happy if lots of people notice and validate what you do? God may be challenging you to be weaned off praise from others and be encouraging you to look to him for your affirmation.

Bad attitudes – is your default attitude negative? Do you regularly complain and respond in a sarcastic manner? I’m feeling the nudge on this one – I’m often the Queen of sarcasm. Ouch, I’m starting to get bruises from all these God prods!

Unhealthy habits or addictions – this could be gambling, online gaming, shopping, drinking, Netflix bingeing or eating unhealthy food to name a few. I’m new to Vinted and can see how this could potentially spiral into an unhealthy addiction if I’m not careful! It’s brilliant, but could become too time consuming (and expensive) if I don’t keep a check on it. I definitely turn to Netflix binges too often as a means of escapism when life is tough. Is there a behaviour that you turn to for comfort and pleasure, when really it’s God who you should look to?

Familiarity/safety. Are you tempted to stay somewhere because it’s comfortable, when really you know God is challenging you to move on? Stepping out into the unknown is risky – but if we never take the leap to a new thing we can miss out on so much because of our love for playing it safe.

Reflection

Today I would simply encourage you to bring to God the things from the lists above that you felt a nudge or a ‘God prod’ on. Ask for wisdom and some practical steps you can take towards being weaned off anything that is holding you back.