Finding Freedom and Joy in Self-Forgetfulness

Last updated on: October 8, 2024 at 4:11 pm by Michele Howe

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Finding Freedom and Joy in Self-Forgetfulness 2024-10-08T16:11:02-05:00 Michele Howe

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Forgetting about ourselves to love others

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37: 3-7

All of us desperately need contentment, a state of inner peace separate from our circumstances. Ultimately, contentment is more a shift in attitude than a change in circumstances. When difficult circumstances come into my life, I hear God’s voice saying, “Let Me be the Blessed Controller. Surrender. Accept my timing. Accept my ways. Accept my outcome. Let your trust be in Me alone.”

Linda Dillow

In early 2020, the rumblings of the Corona Virus pandemic began ramping up in the news with increased warnings and dire predictions of apocalyptic proportions. Wherever I went, the conversations turned, at least briefly, to the what was happening throughout the world and how would it affect us in the United States. For me, as a recovering perfectionist and professional planner, I started thinking, “Is this something I need to be paying closer attention to so that we are prepared for the worst?”

Seeking to get ahead of what I thought might happen if people began to panic, I started considering all the resources my immediate family (and extended family) might need should we face shortages. The problem with spending so much time anticipating the worst (and planning for it) is that I quickly began to feel; overwhelmed by the unknowns, weary from trying to over think the best next steps; and irritable when my nearest and dearest didn’t always agree with my perspective.

Self-focus is a prison of its own making

I soon realized that I was consumed by trying to be in control of this crisis. And I wasn’t alone. Friends, family, colleagues, and women within my community began expressing the very same emotions as I had been dealing with since this crisis erupted. Fear. Uncertainty. Worry. Anxiety. Sleeplessness. Irritability. Lack of focus. You name it and someone within my immediate circle experienced it.

The Lord alone can quiet our hearts

Taking a figurative (and literal) deep breath, I stepped away from the news reports, the updates, and the dire predictions to quiet my heart and mind before the Lord. I realized that now in the very center of this worldwide crisis I needed to do several things. And stocking my pantry wasn’t top on the list.

Be still – and know that God is in control

First, I waited before the Lord silently, in the quiet and all alone. I allowed his perfect peace to sweep over me like a cleansing flood and I felt all the pent-up anxiety and burdens wash away. I mediated on verses that reminded me of God’s perfect provision and promised protection. I prayed and asked for forgiveness for spending so much time trying to take control and anticipate my needs (and that of my family’s) that I forgot God promises to give me what I need one day at a time. No hoarding allowed.

Self-forgetfulness trusts in God’s goodness

Next, I prayed that in the coming days, weeks, and (months?), I would begin each day purposing to be self-forgetful and ready to reach out and be used by God to meet others’ needs. So I’ve done just that. Every day the global, national, state, and local news continues to blare the worst of the worst and yet my heart is peaceful because I know God is still God. Each morning, there have been fresh opportunities for me (and my family) to reach out and serve others within our community.

I’ve been blessed, encouraged, and humbled by what I see God doing in the hearts of believers who are trusting him to meet their needs so that they are free to serve others. Never before have I been so convinced that as a Christ follower, this present hour is the perfect time to forget about ourselves (trusting that God knows what we each need) and reach out in sacrificial love to those he brings our way. For you and for me, our mantra should be, “Trust in the Lord and do good.”

* * *

Self-forgetfulness is a powerful eternity-motivated attitude of the heart every believer needs to embrace. As I observed Christians from around the world respond to this unknown, and seemingly uncontainable virus, it is clear that those who are purposeful in giving thanks (honing a humble, grateful heart) in these difficult days have an inner calm that others who are railing against Heaven (and the governing authorities) do not possess. Not only are these thankful individuals inwardly at peace, they are given to generous acts of self-sacrifice.

Self-forgetfulness not only does me good, it does the whole world good. When I am confident that God is my provider (because he said so), I am far and away freer in every way imaginable to extend myself on another’s behalf. It’s only when I allow my heart to grow inwardly fearful about having to meet my every need (in my own woefully inadequate strength and abilities) that I become paralyzed to do any good for others around me. When my confidence is in the Lord and my trust is in him alone, only then can I step out and freely give to those God brings along my path.

This freedom of self-focus is contagious too. If you don’t believe me, consider how powerful a single act of kindness is and how our hearts soar whenever we witness it. As we look ahead into the coming uncertain days, we can best prepare ourselves for whatever lies ahead by first knowing who God says he is and what he promises to do for his beloved children (and thank him in advance for his perfect provision). Next, we pray that we are ready for service by learning to live life from a self-forgetful perspective. As we put into place these two synergic principles, our lives will expand and we will experience a joyful freedom like we’ve never known. And that’s a promise.

Family, Parenting and Religion

personal devotion

finding freedom and joy in self-forgetfulness

forgetting about ourselves to serve others

God meets our needs every day

we trust God to meet our needs so we can focus on others

About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 29 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curriculum. Some of her newest releases include: Finding Freedom and Joy in Self-forgetfulness and Joyous Faith - The Key to Aging with Resilience. You can read more about the author here.

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