QUARANTINED: THE BENEFIT OF ROUTINE DAYS!

         

                 ROUTINE DAYS

WHY DO WE REPEAT THINGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

“…One person esteems one DAY above another; another esteems EVERY DAY alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.…” (ROMANS 14:5 KJV). “…This is the DAY which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (PSALMS 118:24 KJV).

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Routine or repetitiveness gives people their sense of security or control where skills, abilities, and self-discipline can develop in a safe, fairly stationary, or predictable place. “…Jesus said to the crowd, “…I was there teaching EVERY DAY…” (Matthew 26:55 NLT). “…And EVERY DAY, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah….” (Acts 5:42 NLT).

Routine brings up words like dull, dismal, monotonous, boring, and repetitive. People see routine as inflexible, unexciting, constraining, obligatory, limiting, and often without spontaneity.

Some routines are on a schedule. A schedule helps keep process on track and ensure certain tasks or procedures are done every single day. Without a schedule some routine tasks may never get done and could cause things to get chaotic.

Schedules give routine a little structure and help them run a lot smoother. When routine runs smooth life can appear more dependable or peaceful.

Scheduled routines keep life somewhat under control: You know what specific tasks need to be done every day. You can relax once you know essential tasks are complete. You can personally choose which task must be completed on any particular day and which ones can be put off for another day. You can procrastinate or you can total redo the schedule of routine at your leisure.

Routine develops an individual’s skills, abilities, and self-discipline by increasing efficiency from repetitiveness, building one’s momentum, producing positive habits, and can turn willpower to motivation.

Increasing efficiency from repetitiveness means the more you do it the more it becomes a habit or way of life. Walking, talking, feeding yourself, dressing yourself, and sleeping when tired all become habits.

Building momentum means small tasks done on a daily basis can end up reaping big results in the long run. Saving $100 a month can turn into $1,200 dollars a year.

Producing positive habits or automations means you can choose daily tasks that are good for you, for your health, for your family, and for your goals in life. Daily, routine exercising is a good habit.

Turning willpower into motivation means essential tasks eventually become automated and thus bypass will power altogether. Brushing your teeth becomes automated.

Research has shown that routine has created geniuses because there are very few or minimal distractions. In routine the mind can concentration on a task in a safe, liable atmosphere allowing focus to become experience. When there are few distractions and focus is allowed, routine tasks move forward to completion

Routine tasks are interrupted when other non-essential tasks interfere to decrease or totally stop the process altogether. Stopping process can become counter-productive to the point you will stop doing the task, give little focus to the task, or begin a habit of procrastination.

Procrastination in routine can become habits too and you will discover you NEVER get things done. Sometimes an accountability partner can help keep your routine flourishing as long as they don’t have the same negative routine behaviors.

Routine tasks can include many days of dull, dismal, monotonous, and repetitiveness. However, routine is one of your greatest blessings EVER.

Routine gives one focus, and focus results in experience, and experience result in automated behaviors, and automated behaviors result in lifestyles. “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

Routine plays an important role in the PROCESS with a PURPOSE when it comes to the task of becoming conformed to the image of God’s son. “…God …predestined [you] to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV). “…be transformed BY the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

PROCESS with a PURPOSE is when God intervenes on the routine activities in your life to include tasks that are essential to your spiritual growth, development, and calling in life.

I was heavily involved with my daily routines of life when suddenly I got a piercing, lightening-like headache and had to go to the hospital. Suddenly I needed brain surgery.

Prior to that, my routine included caregiving for my 95 year old mother-in-law, finishing my doctorate, keeping up the house, taking care of my plants, exercising, counseling, and spending time with my husband.

I was in the hospital for three months. I was on the ICU schedule of routines for a few weeks and then on a rehabilitation schedule of routines for another few weeks.

When I went home on I was on a schedule of routines that revolved around recovery tasks. I left my home and came to recover in another state in my mother’s home.

Initially my mind felt so incredibly foggy and it was an effort to think clear. I felt my life belonged to those around me and not to me at all. All I knew for sure was I needed to be selfish with my recovery. I mean, after all, I didn’t just have a cold; I had brain surgery.

There were battles going on among my family members, but it gave me a headache when I gave too much attention to their issues.

Plus I was highly emotional. I was upset about how this brain surgery had impacted my life, especially the routine of my life. My physical balance was affected too. I was stumbling into everything. My concentration was affected. My speech was affected and my independence was affected.

My husband was taking care of his mother, so I went home with my mother so she could take care of me. I cried as if someone was beating me with a stick as I walked down the steps of my home, away from my husband of almost 30 years, away from my routine, away from the state I’d come to love, away from good friends, away from my mother-in-law who was so dear to my heart, and away from a self I no longer knew.

I was only going away to recovery, but I knew my brain surgery had changed my life FOREVER. Already there was anger, controversy, bad blood, negative feelings, misunderstandings, and negatives among my family members. I had too little energy to defend, take sides, or be sensitive to any particular person’s feelings. My brain surgery had rattled me to the core and I didn’t want to go through it again. I went away to recovery.

Looking at me you would have never guessed anything had happened to me. When you don’t look pathetic enough you don’t get as much compassion, especially from those closest to you.

On top of recovering from my brain surgery I had to deal with the rejection attitudes and behaviors of some family members. When you are sick you are at the mercy of those around you: good or bad; happy or sad; right or wrong.

I had lost ALL the routines of my life. I lost my independence. I lost freedoms. I lost comfort zones. I lost being close to my husband and mother-in-law. I lost being close to friends in my home state. I lost family relationships. I lost familiarity. I even lost my taste buds for chicken, my FAVORITE. I lost the ability to do activities I personally enjoyed. I lost choices. I lost the luxury of living my own life in my own style.

Suddenly I am in another state, with different people, restricted choices, limited freedoms, uncomfortable, not with my familiar, doing activities I don’t necessarily enjoy, and without the luxury of living my own life in my own style.

This is in no way a complaint against the people who have been there for me. I appreciate them all and thank God for them. These are my personally, internal struggles.

PROCESS with a PURPOSE is when God intervenes on the routine activities in your life to include tasks or procedures that are essential to your spiritual growth, development, maturity, and calling in life.

My routine drastically changed. One good thing about routine is the independence to do daily tasks as you please, especially if it includes running errands. I could no longer drive. I could not run errands whenever I wanted to. Where or when I go somewhere depended on someone else. Initially this irritated me to no end, but beggars can’t be choosey.

People were doing me a favor. If they wanted to take me somewhere they would and if they didn’t want to they didn’t have to. If they wanted to pick me up and take me somewhere they would and if not; they didn’t. You are at the mercy of others. Of course, if you have the money you could call a cab, an Uber, or find out how to take nearby public transportation. However, my physical balance didn’t allow me to be that independent.

I had to adjust my attitude. Nobody had to do anything for me and was under no obligation to take me everywhere I wanted to go. I was no longer independent. I was at their mercy and should be grateful for whatever they did decide to do for me.

I cried heartily over that reality.

Remember I said routine develops an individual’s skills, abilities, and self-discipline. The more I encountered the reality that I was no longer independent and I was at the mercy of others the more humble I became.

As days, weeks, and months, years passed the more routine it became that I was at the mercy of others. My attitude changed. I no longer cried about it and I no longer got angry about it. I became more humbled. I became more grateful. I chose love over attitude. I chose respect over disrespect. I chose acceptance of differences over judgment.

I knew eventually my independence would return to me in God’s timing, but in the meantime God continued the PROCESS of dependence; day in and day out.

God’s process with a purpose goes beyond training, practice, and shaping but on toward conditioning and molding. God’s goal is to mature, conform, and transform NOT just inform.

The routine of being at the mercy of others included many days of dull, commonplace, monotony, and repetitiveness. However, the routine of being at the mercy of others BLESSED me beyond compare.

When you establish your routine, normally you do whatever you want. When God intervenes and establishes a new routine you do what he wants. I DID NOT want to be at the mercy of others, but God wanted me to be at the mercy of others.

Why didn’t I want to be at the mercy of others? Because of my personal pride, I didn’t like the idea of NEEDING people. I DIDN’T like to be at anyone’s mercy, because I didn’t want to OWE them. I DIDN’T like doing certain things or going certain places. I didn’t always like the rules other people lived by or always doing things “their” way.

What did the routine of being at someone’s mercy teach me? It taught me a new depth of humility. It taught me that letting other people help me was a blessing to them and me. It taught me letting people help me was God’s way of using his vessels to love me through them.

It taught me that letting people help me gave them an in-the-moment purpose. It taught me that letting people help me was a blessing to me from God. It taught me I had a NEED for the love of others and ultimately a NEED for God’s love.

Being a strong, independent person, didn’t negate being loved.

In addition, it taught me to do things that other people like to do JUST because it makes them happy. It taught me not to be threatened because other people do, believe, or see things different than you.

It taught me how many selfish prejudices I carried in my heart. It taught me that I wanted “my will,” for my life, more than I want God’s will for my life.

Most importantly, no matter how bad I wanted my independence back, it is God’s sovereign timing that prevails. Thus the ultimate lesson of all lessons becomes PATIENCE.

PROCESS with a PURPOSE includes a certain amount of TIME for training, practice, shaping, conditioning, and molding NEW life lessons.

Training is included in order to strengthen one’s NEW information skills and abilities. “… GROW (develop) in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV).

Practice is included in order to sustain or cement those NEW skills and strengths. “…Be conformed to the image of his Son...” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).

Shaping (transforming) is the result of training and practice and reveals whether the NEW behavior (skill or ability) has replaced the OLD behavior. “…transformed by the renewing (shaping) of [my] mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  “…. if any man (woman) be in Christ, he  (she) is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Conditioning becomes a part of one’s daily routine. It allows the NEW behavior (new skills and abilities) to improve until that particular behavior reaches a state of maturity. ^“…until we …become mature (perfect), attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).

Molding happens when a NEW behavior (skill or ability) cements and the individual, personally, desires to repeat, the new behavior, over and over again. “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed (molded) into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

“…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

Remember, a PROCESS, of any kind, involves a sequence of actions or movements that effect forward changes. These forward changes can be a gradual, or rapid, or extremely slow, or a steady procession of activities.

Regardless of how fast or how slow the PROCESS; it is ALWAYS a continuous sequence of actions or movements with a definite purpose and end result. PROCESS aims to move or carry things or individuals forward.

The sequence of actions or movements, in a PROCESS, are individual tasks that ALL link together to produce a goal or reach an end result.

The PROCESS of sequences and actions are about a thing or possibly an individual BECOMING altered through this procession of forward movements. Eventually, PROCESS will produce a result after a certain amount of time.

PROCESS is a sequence of actions and movements that require a certain amount of time and particular tasks that work together to produce or develop something.

In other words, PROCESS involves TIME and the WORKING together of particular tasks or procedures.

TIME is the challenge of PROCESS. Most people get tired of routine PROCESSESS. God has NOT changed his TIME allotted for PROCESS is always the same. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

God does NOT reduce the time allotted for the PROCESS of tasks necessary to complete a WORK in your life. “…And in the PROCESS of time “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

The “PROCESS of TIME” is part of God’s plan, which serves a divine PURPOSE. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord...” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

When PROCESS has a divine PURPOSE it involves your “daily” ROUTINE.

Daily ROUTINE becomes or “IS” the PROCESS OF TIME. “…And in the PROCESS of time “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

After TWO years my neuro doctor gave me the necessary papers to do simulation therapy that would ultimately lead to my release to drive again “IF” I pass the test.

 If I don’t past the first time I’ll have to keep taking simulation therapy over and over again until I do pass. As I said before, the lesson of all lessons is PATIENCE.

“…My brethren ….the testing of your faith produces PATIENCE. But let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV). “…Dear brothers and sisters …when your faith is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your ENDURANCE is fully developed, you will be perfect (fruitfully mature) and complete, needing nothing….” (James 1:2-4 NLT).

Apostle Paul said: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

The testing of your faith (trust and dependency upon God), particularly during the “PROCESS of TIME,” produces PATIENCE.

PATIENCE is one of the GREATEST blessings that come of out of the “PROCESS of TIME.” It is the PROCESS of TIME embedded in daily ROUTINE that effect PATIENCE,

In the PROCESS of TIME, where spiritual training, practice, shaping, conditioning, and molding are part of one’s daily routine, PATIENCE will develop also.

The character trait or spiritual fruit of PATIENCE is one of the end results of a perfect and complete work of FAITH. “…My brethren ….the testing of your faith (trust and dependency upon God) produces PATIENCE (a fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit). But let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (fruitfully mature) and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).

“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (PATIENCE), gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

The PROCESS of TIME includes ongoing behaviors (embedded in daily ROUTINES) that MUST be utilized, applied, and experienced in order to influence the growth and development of the spiritual fruit of PATIENCE. “…So let it grow, for when your ENDURANCE (longsuffering/patience) is fully developed, you will be perfect (fruitfully mature) and complete, needing nothing….” (James 1:2-4 NLT).

I said earlier that I learned a deeper humility. I needed others in a healthy, godly manner. I needed to allow others to help me as conduits of God’s love and blessings.

I needed to be more impartial and equitable by learning to truly respect differences, without judgement or feeling as if it is some kind of threat.

After I’d learned these lessons, my situation REMAINED the same. I STAYED at the mercy of others LONG after the lessons were learned.

This is the most CHALLENGING part of the PROCESS of TIME. I had to learn I am not in control; God is. My life and my time is in HIS hands. This reality will no doubt TEST your faith (your trust and dependency upon God.)

This is where the words DULL, DISMAL, PAIN, TIRED, MONOTONOUS, BORING, and DRAB comes into play and will test your endurance (patience). “…My brethren ….the testing of your faith produces PATIENCE….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).

The testing of faith (trust and dependency upon God) happens in routine, over the PROCESS of TIME. This is where it becomes tempting to take matters in your own hands.

You may begin to think “Enough already!”  Many righteous people have complained that God takes TOO long. It is normal to get tired of certain routines, especially if they include pain, lack of independence, limitations, no fun, a loss, sickness, or few choices. Yet God says, “….let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete (grown), lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).

Nevertheless, routine becomes a path to full-grown fruitful maturity. God has so ordered DAILY routines into your journey as part of the PROCESS with a divine purpose. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way…” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).

Thus, “….let PATIENCE have its perfect work….” (James 1:2-4 KJV). PROCESS with a PURPOSE must be completed or experienced and it will involve the necessary tasks to produce the end result. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (PATIENCE), gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

PROCESS with a PURPOSE is a God-ordained way to reach the end goal. “…that you may be perfect (fruitfully mature) and complete (grown), LACKING NOTHING….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).

The sequence of actions or movements, in a PROCESS, are individual tasks that ALL link together to produce the fruit of PATIENCE.

The daily routine of sequences and actions is about you BECOMING altered (transformed, conformed, matured, etc.) through this procession of forward movements. Eventually, in the “PROCESS of TIME,” the fruit of PATIENCE will be developed or produced.

“…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). “…YOU HAVE “NEED” OF ENDURANCE (patience) …so you may receive the promise…” (HEBREWS 10:36 KJV).

“….LET US NOT GROW WEARY while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we shall reap if we do not lose heart…” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). And Jesus said to him, “…I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

Daily ROUTINE is part of the PROCESS of TIME, which has a divine PURPOSE. KEEP GOING. DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP TRUSTING and DEPENDING upon GOD.