Wonderful News for HSPs: You Don’t Have To Try So Hard
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Every week, I engage in Lectio Divina — re-reading the same passage of scripture three separate times, journaling my responses to specific reflection questions after each reading.
I love immersing in scripture in this way. It taps into our HSP need for deep processing … or “pray-cessing” as I’ve come to call it.
Frequently, after the 2nd or 3rd reading of a passage, I draw a quick T-chart with the left side labeled “God” and the right side labeled “We.” Then, in the left column, I jot down the key words/phrases from the passage that tell what God does. And in the right column, I write the key words/phrases that tell what we do.
Over many months of doing this, I’ve noticed a distinct pattern.
It’s a pattern that flies in the face of a life-long belief I’ve held. (Or rather that’s held me captive.)
A belief that you may recognize in yourself:
If you’re not getting the right results, then you must not be trying hard enough.
I’m guessing you’re familiar with the obvious action plan that springs from this belief:
Just. Try. Harder.
<uuuuuuugh>
It doesn’t matter how hard you’ve already been trying. Or how long you’ve been trying so hard.
Or how utterly overwhelmed you are from trying so very hard for so very long.
The only “solution” is Just. Try. Harder.
Or so I thought.
Until I started comparing the T-charts I’ve made during Lectio Divina and discovered, to my surprise:
They tell a very different story.
Here are five of the T-charts I made based on scripture passages during Lectio Divina. As you read through them, ask yourself this question:
“What differences do I see between the “God lists” vs. the “We lists”?
God
- is our refuge
- is our strength
- is an ever-present help in trouble
- is within the city of God
- will help her at break of day
- lifts His voice
- is with us
- is our fortress
We
- will NOT fear
- will NOT fall
God
- saves me
- hears my voice
- rescues me
- sustains [me]
We
- call out to God
- cry out in distress
- cast all [our] cares on the Lord
- trust in Him
God
- sets [His] glory in the heavens
- establishes a stronghold against enemies
- silences the foe and avenger
- is mindful of mankind
- cares for human beings
- made [us] a little lower than the angels
- crowned [us] with glory and honor
- made [us] rulers over the works of His hands
- put everything under our feet
- His name is majestic in all the earth!
We
- praise
- consider
God
- is my Rock
- hears my cry
- is my Strength
- is my Shield
- helps me
- is the Strength of His people
- is the Fortress of salvation
- saves [His] people
- blesses [His] inheritance
- is [our] Shepherd
- carries [us] forever
We
- call
- lift [our] hands
- trust in Him
- have hearts that leap for joy
- praise him with our song
God
- will gather [us]
- will watch [us]
- will deliver [us]
- will redeem [us]
- will turn [our] mourning into gladness
- will give [us] comfort and joy instead of sorrow
- will satisfy [us] with His abundance
- will fill [us] with His bounty
We
- will come [to Him]
- will shout [for Him]
- will rejoice [in Him]
- will be like a well-watered garden
- will sorrow no more
- will dance
- will be glad
Here’s what I noticed:
Our lists are full of us trying harder and harder to … Wait a second, no they’re not! That’s NOT what’s on the “We” lists at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.
God’s lists are full of Him …
- taking the initiative.
- making things happen.
- doing the “heavy lifting.
Our lists are full of us …
- responding to Him.
- responding to Him.
- responding to Him.
The story these T-charts tell is wonderful news for HSPs, indeed!
You DON’T have to live under the punishing, Perfectionistic belief of “Just. Try. Harder.”
Because God is the one who takes the initiative, makes things happen, does the heavy lifting, you DON’T have to try so hard.
You’re free respond to Him.
I love this, Cheri! Very insightful and practical. God’s Word amazes me and makes me wonder what countless gems like this we’ll discover in eternity that we haven’t uncovered yet. I believe he tucks a lot of meaning and symbolism in there that isn’t readily obvious. Thanks for sharing it.
Wow.