I’ve always been drawn to cliches, sayings, mottos, mantras. What’s the difference you might ask?
A cliche is a short phrase that was once catchy but over-used. So over time, it can become almost meaningless. I have some cliches that have stayed meaningful in my life, because in the right situations, they have spurred me on (as well as others I’ve shared them with).
Something is better than nothing. (helped me recover from perfectionism)
It doesn’t hurt to ask. (the answer can be “YES” more often than you think)
A saying is a short statement to share a wise truth or advice. I think my Holy Spirit saying in my last post could be considered a statement of wise truth.
You can fit anywhere, because you don’t fit anywhere (no group owns you, so you can love wherever you are).
A motto is a phrase that is adopted by a group to describe its purpose or identity. In a sense since 2011, when I began writing regularly and established a “ministry” connected to my writing, my motto of sorts has been,
a branch in the Vine (just a branch, but a beloved one)
But what I want to share today is the mantra the Lord gave me.
A mantra is “a word or phrase that a person repeats to help them focus, stay calm, or find strength.” God’s mantra has transformed this little ole “performance-anxiety-driven” beloved branch into a calmer (but only occasionally nervous) beloved branch. It broke the anxiety cycle in me, so I have to keep sharing it.
A couple years ago, I was scheduled to share my “Stones of Remembrance,” the story of my life journey with God, at a January evening coffeehouse event at our church. By way of background, I had been sick for a couple weeks, though no longer contagious. Although I had written my “Remembering Stones'“ several times on my blog, I had never shared it all at once to a group before. When the day arrived, I realized I had too much to share. So I set out to cut things out little by little.
As I sat with the Lord for a few afternoon hours that day, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. What He said transformed what would have normally been hours of extreme anxiety into the most amazing peace. He said,
Step into each moment (step, step, step) with Christ-confident Hope!
And I did! I was fully conscious of my every step…
I walked out of my house, step, step, step … with Christ-confident Hope.
I got into the car, rode to church, got out of the car and walked into the church step, step, step … into the lovely meeting room.
Not even an ounce of anxiety … as I “chatted it up” with the early arrivals.
And yes, I even adjusted my message as it unfolded, HIS way, without a bit of anxiety.
Who was this person?
Lil ole, formerly-anxiety prone me … now walking confidently step by step with my Jesus Who is my Hope.
And He is yours too, dear friend.
Walk with Him in your NOW, your present moment, consciously steppin’
… with Christ-confident Hope. He won’t fail you.
Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Please share your own meaningful sayings, mottos, and especially mantras.
We can learn from each other. Thanks so much.
Jan, I have been chronically anxious as well. I come from a long line of Women Who Worry. That along with people-pleasing are two of my besetting sins. But for this, too, we have Jesus. Grateful for the wisdom of your words.
Let go and perceive! Mantra based on Isaiah 43:18-19.