Below are resources for you to use for personal development during these times of uncertainty and separation.
CLICK HERE to read a great article with helpful suggestions: “Love and Lament in March Madness” by Curt Thompson MD. At the end of this article are 13 very practical suggestions to help each of us during this time.
Here is an brief adaptation from Dr. Thompson’s suggestions:
DAILY SUGGESTIONS FOR THRIVING IN SOLITUDE
(adapted from CurtThompsonMD.com)
- Start each day by soaking in Scripture, prayer and adoration of God.
- Practice some of the Spiritual Disciplines.
- Thoughtfully pray the Lord’s Prayer during your frequent hand washing.
- Call 2 or 3 others each day. (Inquire about them, be vulnerable and honest with them as well.)
- During conversations, avoid blame or complaining about what others are doing wrong or not doing right.
- Reduce the amount of news and social media you consume.
- Plan for creative endeavors each day to engage the creative aspect of your brain.
- Care for your body: eat well, get a bit of exercise several times daily (250 steps per hour is a helpful metric), and 45 minutes of cardio 4 times a week, and get ample sleep.
- Use a journal: write your thoughts, copy Scripture, and write out prayers.
- Remain plugged in to community via online worship and teaching podcasts (Gospel in Life Podcast helps me a lot).
LARGER RESOURCES FOR SELF REFLECTION (INCLUDES A LIST WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AS WELL AS STEPS IN BIBLE MEDITATION)
You can use the time of solitude to do some helpful self reflection using this resource that we have developed over the last few years of retreats. This resource is available as 8×11 for US users and A4 for European users. The resource includes a section that describes twenty-seven spiritual disciplines, steps in Bible meditation and other helpful tools for personal spiritual development.
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