Finding Quiet Quotes

“Kristin Neff wisely observes, “When we’re in touch with our common humanity, we remember that feelings of inadequacy and disappointment are shared by all. This is what distinguishes self-compassion from self-pity. Whereas self-pity says ‘poor me,’ self-compassion remembers that everyone suffers, and it offers comfort because everyone is human. The pain I feel in difficult times is the same pain that you feel in difficult times.”4”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“When stress becomes a habit mentally, emotionally, and physically, a default setting on our inner dial, then it becomes “normal” and we no longer notice its presence. But the stress is still there, and it affects how we perceive, feel, and react to events in our lives. And stress is the major cause of anxiety.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“John Wesley: “To imagine none can teach you but those who are themselves saved from sin, is a very great and dangerous mistake.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“On Sunday, I look at my calendar to be sure my week is planned appropriately, and then I take one day at a time.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“The spirit is that faculty of the soul through which the person relates to God (Psalm 51:10; Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:23) and is able to be directly aware of God, demons, or angels.5 Before the new birth, the spirit is real and has certain abilities to be aware of God. But most of the capacities of the unregenerate spirit are dead and inoperative. At the new birth, God implants or activates capacities in the spirit. These fresh capacities need to be nourished and developed so they can grow.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“compassion:
Statements associated with high self-compassion: • I try to see my failings as part of the human condition. • When I’m going through a very hard time, I try to keep my emotions in balance. • I try to be understanding and patient toward those aspects of my personality that I don’t like.
Statements linked to low self-esteem: • When I fail at something important to me, I become consumed by feelings of inadequacy. • When I’m feeling down, I tend to feel like most other people are probably happier than I am. • I’m disapproving and judgmental about my own flaws and inadequacies.13”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“It’s actually all right with God if you are nice to yourself! Rather than experiencing your anxiety or depression as an occasion for self-loathing and condemning yourself for being such a failure, you can experience it as an opportunity to soften your heart towards yourself. Seek to have an open heart toward yourself with gentleness. After all, we are all flawed and fragile! Your anxiety or depression is simply a part of common humanity.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“We have been exhorted by Scripture to present habitually different “members” (e.g., body parts, organs) to God as instruments of righteousness, shalom, peace, flourishing”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“It involves (1) adopting feelings and attitudes toward oneself that are not oppressive and harsh, (2) setting aside being inordinately self-judgmental by giving oneself messages that are self-condemning—e.g., I am such a failure—and produce shame and guilt, (3) not slandering and demeaning oneself, and (4) not beating oneself up and holding a grudge against oneself.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

“Finally, don’t waste your suffering. Anxiety or depression can be occasions for formation or deformation, for becoming stronger in the long run or weaker. So do what you can—even if it’s a baby step—to resolve to let all of this work together for your good.”
― J.P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace