S E40: Episode 40 | ADHD-Friendly Advent Day 17

On day 17 of our ADHD friendly advent study.

If you are just finding me, know you are not behind.

This study is designed to be low effort and high impact and work with the brain God gave you, not against it.

So today how this is going to go, I'm going to encourage you to go listen to this week's song once more while looking at the lyrics.

This week's song is A Little Town of Bethlehem.

So you'll listen to the song.

Then I will read this today's scripture passage and then I will give you our journaling prompt for today.

We've got just one journaling prompt today, so it should be a nice short one for you if you are more of a structured person.

There is a specific schedule which is what I am following in these videos.

That suggested schedule is in the workbook which is free.

You can download that at the link in my profile.

I would encourage you to do that so you can follow along and make it your own.

You can kind of do it however you want it.

It's pre flowing if you want it to be.

But there is that suggested schedule if your brain works well with structure.

Okay, first I'm gonna have you go listen to the song A Little Town of Bethlehem.

Make sure you're paying special attention to the lyrics.

Bonus points if you have the lyrics pulled up.

I really like the Vineyard music version, but Shane and Shane has a really great version.

Or if you have your own favorite version, you are free to listen to that as well.

So pause this video, go listen to the song and then we'll meet back here to read the scripture for the day.

All right, now let's read the scripture passage for today.

We are in Luke 2, starting in verse 8, going through 14 and I'm reading out of the ESV and in the same region there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you.

You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

All right.

And now we've got just one journaling prompt for today.

I would like to encourage you to break out a physical journal for this research shows how great writing is for our brains, but I also understand if you just don't have the energy or the spoons for that today.

Another option would be typing something out, whether on your computer, in a text to a friend.

Texting myself, honestly, is one of the best ADHD hacks I found in quite while or even recording a voice memo, whether that's to a friend or in your voice notes, whatever feels accessible.

And if none of that feels accessible today, that is fine.

You can still participate.

I would just pause the video and kind of think through the prompt and just answer it in your head just so you're reaping.

Regardless of what you do, as long as you are taking some time to think through it, you're going to reap the benefits of it.

So when the ideal is not accessible, we find a way to pair it back so we can still participate and still reap the benefits.

So today we are going through Scripture Journaling Prompt three.

Again, all of this is laid out for you in the workbook, which is free.

I'm doing this entire study for free.

If you'd like to buy me a coffee to say thank you, you can do that at the link in my profile as well.

So skip Scripture Journaling Prompt number three today is don't fear and do not be anxious are pretty common commands in the Bible, but knowing and actually doing are very different.

What is your natural reaction to hearing?

Do not be afraid and what does that actually practically look like for you?

Do you have a process for dealing with fear slash anxiety?

Or does it feel too abstract to take action on?

So go ahead, pause the video.

If you need to hear the prompt again, you can rewind, but pause here.

Go journal in whatever way you are going to do that and then come back here.

Okay?

Did you do it?

If not, here's another chance to pause.

Go do the Scripture journaling prompt and then come back.

It is this is a tough one for me because sometimes I feel like I do.

I do kind of have a plan and a process in place for when I'm feeling anxious.

But at the same time, sometimes hearing like oh well don't be afraid or oh, just hand it to God or oh, just trust in God.

It can kind of feel like when someone who doesn't have ADHD is like, well, have you tried writing it down?

Just make a list or well, you just have to focus.

Everyone has trouble focusing Right.

It's kind of like, okay, great, thanks.

But how do I actually do that?

So I wanted to share a couple of ways that I actually have hand things over to God when I'm feeling anxious.

And I've talked a lot about this during the study.

I am in a season of uncertainty right now, and there has been a lot of anxiety.

And so I've gotten a lot of practice at this lately.

But a couple of ways that I like to hand things over to God.

This sounds so silly, but I promise you it helps.

Making a physical motion of handing something to God can be really helpful because it is a very abstract concept.

How do you actually hand something to God?

So it can kind of work to, like, mimic handing something to God and be like, okay, God, here it is.

It is yours.

I don't want it.

Please take my fear and anxiety and give me your peace instead.

That is something that can be incredibly helpful.

Something else that really helps is setting timers to remind you to pray throughout the day.

So, for example, I have a couple different timers set for the time of people's birthdays, if that makes sense.

So at different points throughout the day, a timer will go off.

So, for example, my birthday is November 5th, so.

But whatever, whatever you're dealing with, if you pick a specific time, that that is going to be your reminder to pray.

I honestly would recommend picking, like, a weird time so you're not tempted to just go, your brain just like, check the box of like, oh, timer's going off.

I'm just going to shut it off if it's weird.

If it's a weird time that can kind of prick some interest in your brain to go, wait, what does this feel for again?

Oh, right, okay.

And you're less likely to just dismiss it.

So those are two tricks that I personally use right now.

Like, in my everyday life, right now, when I'm dealing with things, I would love to hear what you use.

So leave me some comments letting me know what you do, how you actually hand things over to God.

If this does feel like a very abstract, difficult concept, let me know.

I'd love to chat about it in the comments, but that is all I have for you today.

These videos are available as podcast episodes on my podcast, the True Grit Podcast with Rachel Grit.

How many times can I say podcast in one sentence?

That is available at the link in my profile as well, along with the workbook, make sure you go download it.

So if you're interested in that, let me know.

Share this video with a friend who needs to hear it and I will see you in the next one.

Bye.