Is Your Mindset or Heart Infertile?
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The other day, an insight really struck me: We are living in a time when most of us are focused on secular consciousness rather than spiritual consciousness. I believe this is what is causing so much anxiety in our world.
How do you know which form of consciousness you are mostly focused on? Think about what constitutes most of your focus on any given day. How do you start your day? How do you finish your day? Is your brain stuck on secular affairs? Your experiences and problems in the world (secular)? Or is your focus on the spiritual -- on the transcendent and how God is moving in the midst of those experiences and problems (spiritual)?
Anxiety is rampant, and it seems to only be worsening. I see it in my workplace and personal life. People desire calm, a pause, and a more peace in their lives -- and less stress. I think anxiety is happening more and more frequently largely because of our secular consciousness focused on money, power, worldly experiences, entertainment, and recognition. I know when my focus is more secular, my anxieties increase. Whereas, when I am more spiritually focused, my peace increases.
Coincidentally, the solutions to non-clinical anxiety often involve forms of stress management that are spiritual in nature. Prayer, meditation, “being” vs. “doing,” resting, being in nature, creativity, spiritual reading, deeper awareness of the present moment, gratefulness, and so on. God has designed spiritual practices to calm our anxieties purposefully - to raise our spiritual consciousness above our secular consciousness - for our own good and well-being.
The solutions to our daily anxieties are in the spiritual realm. We need only use them and become more spiritually conscious day to day for greater peace, calm, and serenity.
Jesus came and said "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:27). He desires your peace to be found in Him!
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
