Today’s prompt for Five Minute Friday (#FMF) is “Middle”. I sat thinking about what I want to write for a bit. The prompt really resonates with me, but I wasn’t too sure why. Then I realized that, in all of my life, I struggle to find the middle.
In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), I learned to practise finding the middle. The middle between emotional mind and rational mind, for example, is called Wise Mind. But there are other things that require the skill of dialectics.
For example, I struggle to reconcile my relatively high (sometimes even seen as very high) IQ with my low emotional level of functioning. I know rationally that, when staff leave the room, they aren’t on the North Pole, but emotionally it feels that way.
Then again, there is somehow a middle. I still am both highly intelligent and emotionally vulnerable, after all. If they were mutually exclusive, I wouldn’t be me. And I am me. And that’s okay.
DBT is partly based on Buddhist thinking. However, I do believe that God does call us Christians to find the middle ground too. Like Kate writes in her own contribution, God is there always: He was there in the past, He will be there in the future, but He is definitely also there in the middle, that is, the present.
This is also what DBT calls us to do: be present in the here and now. Mindfulness is one of the core skills of DBT and it doesn’t matter that the idea of it originated with Buddhist thinkers. In fact, when we as Christians pray and especially when we are still, we are present. God calls us to be present, to receive his grace in the Holy Spirit. DBT fans can call that Wise Mind all they want. I call it God’s speaking to me.
A Multitude of Musings 
“God speaking to me.” That is the profound truth. He speaks to us in the present. Right in the middle of our circumstances.
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It looks like WP logged me into my old blog. Today, I’m you FMF neighbor and you can find me at https://myconcretedove.com/.
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Oh thanks! Yes, WP does that sometimes, it’s odd.
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Absolutely! I find that, while God often may be speaking to me, I’m not always listening. I am when I’m present though.
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Your tip on mindfulness is good for remaining present. Thanks.
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You’re welcome. I am so glad it helped you!
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I really appreciate this post. Makes a lot of sense. Some things to think over. Thank you!
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I’m so glad I gave you some food for thought.
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Some days it’s more of a challenge that other days, but that’s what helps us grow.
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So true indeed, but being present is something we can improve on with practice.
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Astrid, I appreciate you sharing, “God calls us to be present, to receive his grace in the Holy Spirit. I call it God’s speaking to me.”
FMF #35
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Thank you. I am so glad I received God’s grace.
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I’m glad you have found the middle, and that you can feel god speaking to you! Xx
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Thanks so very much. God bless.
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