Going Against the Flow

Hi ya! Welcome friend to my little corner of cyberspace where we enjoy a hot cuppa while pondering & reflecting upon all things in life.

Today I thought we would have our time sitting in my sunny dining room overlooking our front garden, as its still wintery cold & windy here.

My Sydney Rock orchids are about to burst into bloom again & the insect eaters are flitting from plant to plant looking for tasty spidery morsels.

The Azaleas are in flower with a display of the deepest pinks & reds with the white daisies & their purple centre’s giving lovely contrast nearby.

I have a pot of Russian Caravan tea blend or coffee if you prefer, with a delicious gf cashew & coconut cheesecake with a dob of Greek yogurt ready for us.

So glad you dropped by today!

As I’m having a bit of a hard time physically at the moment. I’m experiencing a challenging cycle of pain with Fibromyalgia.

However, I’m going to enjoy our special time together, although my body is screaming for me to curl up into a ball & shut down.

I’m not going to go with the flow of this pain, as I know its not good for me to go that way.

“Going with the Flow”

Have you heard that expression before? It’s one I hear often in this part of the World.

It means to go with whatever is happening, like the water flowing in a river. If you go with the direction of the flow it’s easy, you really just get carried along for the ride in the direction the flow is going.

It seems much easier, less energy & seemingly less bother to go with the flow, but where does that take us?

The Destination of Consternation

The problem with going with the flow is it takes us to a place where the waters dictate. While it may seem much easier in the beginning, the end destination will cause us great consternation!

It’s the same in life, when we choose to go with the flow we find ourselves caught in a direction & destination that we just don’t want to be!

Let’s take a look at what I’m talking about with the following examples;

• Getting caught up in the flow of party politics without doing extensive research into the policies, practices & true ideology of the political party concerned.
• Listening & following charismatic leaders who tell us what we want to hear, rather then having wisdom in finding out what their true intention & agendas are behind their ear tickling words. 
• Not standing for God’s principles on social issues, for fear of being seen as religious nuts!
• Going with the flow in the effects of chronic pain on the body, wanting to curl up into a ball, rather then getting up & moving!

To go against the flow takes an enormous amount of determination, energy & strength!

Against the Tide

Let’s look at another popular saying that means the opposite to going with the flow its; “going against the tide.”

If you have ever been at the seaside when the tide is coming in then you will be fully aware just how seemingly impossible it is to go against the tide!

It takes a powerful engine & great seafaring skills to navigate the enormous & powerful waves of the incoming tide.

However, that’s when the bounty of the sea is at it’s peak, as many a seasoned fisherman will tell you!

You see for me to listen to my body in this particular instance would just be going with the flow.

However, I know from experience that when the pain is as challenging as it is at the moment, I actually need to go against the tide!

Drawing on God’s strength & power to navigate the strong waves of pain. Determining myself to get up & move with gentle exercise, a walk by the waterfront or stretching, rather then curling up into a ball.

This is when the bounty of the sea of movement decreases the pain by getting the feel good neuro chemicals working in the brain!

We need to have Wisdom

As with my experience with chronic pain, we need to have great wisdom in all aspects of life.

At the moment I’m observing many political leaders around the world posturing, trying to tickle the ears of their people with grand promises & yet behind the scenes are carrying out dangerous agendas!

Changing & moving the goal posts of democracy is a very dangerous agenda my friend as modern history demonstrated!

With our dear grandparents & great grandparents having to fight hard & long for us, so that we may enjoy the freedom & rights of the democracies we now know.

We need to glean God’s wisdom & discernment in these important issues my friend!

Becoming fully aware of the direction these waters are flowing on social issues, on each political party’s policies, ideologies, practices & agendas.

I always use the following measurement as my starting point of reference when researching the various parties before I vote;

How are the most vulnerable & disadvantaged of our nations being treated by those in power (or going to be treated by those who want power)!

“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right…”

Hosea 14:9

We need to have His wisdom my dear friend, so we don’t inadvertently go with the flow in a direction that will take us over dangerous & deadly waterfalls!

Throwing all our nation’s processes & ways of life in the democracies we know into complete free fall, crashing on the rocks below!

Remember, we share a global village when one nation is in pain, just like the body, the ripples are felt across the whole village.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

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