Chipping Away

Some days are much worse than others. We might be tired or perhaps several outside influences have ganged up placing roadblocks to our progress.

Sometimes, these days are plagued with issues that are much more serious and life-threatening.

In any case, we all notice when something is not right. Perhaps we are failing because we lack some nugget of information, a few more dollars or we might even consider thoughts that tell us, “We are not enough.”

When I first read about a way to start eliminating those anxieties, I thought, “Novel idea!” As I continued reading, I found these tips had been around for a decade or more.

The concept is called, “Give what you lack, " which sounds slightly crazy. This theory tells us that if we’re experiencing a shortage in some area of our lives, we’ll start feeling better if we give to others from this shortage. Say what?

• If we’re running short of cash to pay our bills, we should take some of this cash and give it to someone who might need it more than we do. Logic reminds us that we now have even less to make ends meet.
• If nobody respects the job we’re doing at the office, we’re to make sure that we offer respect to those disrespecting coworkers.
• If someone needs blood, we should give some of our own because, like you, I’ve got a jar full of it in the fridge.

Like I said, “Crazy!”

And yet . . .

The Red Cross thing works. I’ve heard that our bodies benefit in several ways when the physical body replenishes the missing fluids. Artificial Intelligence gave me a lengthy list of these healthy advantages when I politely asked.

The other two examples could be leaving most of us scratching our heads. But let’s consider a few more ‘give away what you lack’ examples before declaring this idea to be rubbish. Think about what happens if you take part in the following:

• Those who lack friendship should go out of their way to offer friendship to another.
• Those who are missing love in their lives should be loving to others. (Don’t go there, now!)
• Those who feel unappreciated should be first in line to be appreciative of others.
• Those who feel people are not friendly should be the first to smile and say hello.
• Those who feel rushed should be the first ones to slow down and embrace interruptions.
• Those who feel unforgiven should offer forgiveness to others.

I think it’s starting to make sense now. I believe that all of them might show us a way to chip away at the uncomfortable anxieties creeping around the edges of our lives. This is not to say these little life hacks can solve very large problems, but I see a way to use them as steppingstones, at least.

I said the words ‘all of them’, but I lied. I think most of us might be less convinced about that money example. If I am running out of funds, it makes no sense at all to give any of it away. Do I hear an Amen? (Sorry. I got that from about a thousand sermons I’ve listened to.)

But ‘Amen’ also has a point to make here.

Let’s agree that we’re mostly aligned with the idea that we should give to those who need help. I would also stipulate that we’re mostly in sync with the idea of filling our piggybanks with as much as possible before we do.

But that’s where we make the mistake.

It seems to me that God wants us to move away from a scarcity mindset and live instead in His abundance. This isn’t a mind trick. It’s a way of living – His way. It just feels absurd because of how we’re taught to live in this world.

If we feel that ‘nudge’ that someone needs our help, I don’t think we’re being told that we should first wait a couple of years until we get that raise, pay off the car, get the new Tesla, or buy that ocean-view property. I think the nudge always means, “Right now.”

The nudge is a blessing because it keeps us in the humble zone. It allows us to contribute now as servants rather than hoping and striving to become one of the big shots with influence, money, and adoration. That status belongs to God.

I think it means do what ‘I AM’ asks and don’t worry. Even though that sounds precarious, I think it’s the trust we place in our Creator that makes this work.

• A sense of gratefulness seems to follow doing the right thing.
• There’s peace (a peace that surpasses all understanding – remember that one?) that follows our making-a-difference activities.
• There’s at least a moment of extraordinary closeness to God that appears when answering His call.

Each time we say yes to these nudges, we become calmer, more peaceful, and less worried about our problems. When we’re calmer and more peaceful, we can focus. When we focus, we can see creative solutions to our problems and attract the help of others. This is what allows us to use these stepping stones to “chip away” and mitigate some of our struggles.

If God wants me to give back a little bit of what He has provided, I think I’m going to do it.

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44