Yesterday I spent part of my day giving my mental energy away. Yep, not good. And I should know better.
Every time you or I get anxious, we are mentally trespassing in someone’s affairs.
We’re meddling in either God’s business or someone else’s and using up mental energy we need for our own issues.
Living as a mental busybody happens when our inner monologue takes us into areas that are none of our business. Suffering is the result.
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15 NKJ).
Dang! A busybody is grouped with murderers, thieves and evildoers! You can see how that might cause some suffering.
I am responsible for me, not you.
So tension, stress, anxiety and suffering arrive when I am being a busybody with my thoughts—mentally living outside of what is my own responsibility and business.
When my thought life is consumed with how wrong I am being treated or what someone else should or shouldn’t be doing, then I am being a mental busybody.
If I am worrying about tomorrow, then I’m meddling in God’s business.
All of my thoughts concerning other people may be true; however I have no control over other people
I only have control over me.
I cannot change people. Heck, I have a hard enough time changing me!
This doesn’t mean that I condone or approve of other people’s choices. What it means is that what they do, or don’t do, is only under their own control.
So why am I wasting MY brain cells thinking about something that I have no control over?
“If you are living your life and I am mentally living your life, who is here living mine? We’re both over there. Being mentally in your business keeps me from being present in my own.” -Byron Katie
The BEST way to punch your anxiety in the gut?
Tune into your self-talk and see what percentage of your day is wasted living in someone’s life other than your own.
Then choose to mentally be present in your own life.
I promise you’ll have more energy left over for living your own life. 🙂
XOX
Susan
This Post Has 7 Comments
Well! Well! Well! God’s timing is perfect. This article has given me a propulsion to mind my own business and let the Lord do what He wants with them and with me!!! Hallelujah for the liberating truth!!! Worry about the children and grandchildren and their decisions, friends, not being saved; financial concerns, health issues and countless other things that I must once again trust/rely/lean of the Lord to do!!!! After reading I Peter 4:15, I gasped at the same fact that being a mental busybody is grouped with those despicable categories. Wow!! How does He loves you and me!!!! Wow! Wow! Thank you for sharing and saving my mental health!!! Blessings!!!
Yea! I’m so thankful you found it helpful, Beverly. 🙂
Understanding how being a mental busybody changed my life some years ago.
If Jesus can do that in me, He can do it in your life.
Here’s to peaceful days and restful nights letting God be God and mentally minding our own business.
Susan
Thank you so much, Susan!!! Continued blessings to you and your family!!! ????????
And I really needed this God spoke through you today. It is a wow because I had to stop and think about what I am thinking and find rest and peace and let God be God. Blessings for your day.
Good stuff, never thought of it quite that way. #workingonmylegacy
I think it runs in the family, Sarah. Well… maybe not Joan, but Diane and me…yep.
I’m getting so much better at staying within God’s mental boundaries for me. Still have a long way to go,but I am making progress. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. Letting God be God is something we’re all working on, isn’t it? 🙂