Screwtape Letters – Muscular Christianity

You gotta wonder sometimes, what it was like for Christ every morning that He woke up.

First, He’s got that pit in His stomach, as He realizes that He’s one more day closer to a world of pain that He doesn’t even want to imagine.

I’m sure that every time He saw a criminal being crucified He was taking inventory of the fact that His situation was going to be even worse than what He was seeing in that moment.

So, you’ve got that weighing on you every day.

And then you’ve got the knowledge that you have three years to get it right. You’ve got to train these guys, most of whom have no real idea as to Who You are and what You mean when you talk about the “Kingdom of God…”

You’ve got the Pharisees who, not only have no clue, but are determined to shut you down however and whenever they can…

And then you’ve got the masses of people who are interested in what You have to say, but are even more interested in what You can do for them as far as healing them of a malady that’s had them living in pain for years.

1,095 days to change the world. It’s like having 10 pounds of stuff in a five pound bag. How are you going to get it all done, especially with the kind of people you’re having to work with?

Jesus is a great study in Time Management.

He’s focused, He’s never hurried. He’s got a Plan, but He’s never too busy where He can’t talk or teach, should that moment present itself.

How do you do that?

How do you nail your “to do” list with the kind of efficiency that Christ displayed, especially given the kind of stress He must’ve been under?

Here’s a couple of hints…

The Screwtape Letters

There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy [God]. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them.

Your patient will, of course, have picked up the notion that he must submit with patience to the Enemy’s will. What the Enemy means by this is primarily that he should accept with patience the tribulation which has actually been dealt out to him—the present anxiety and suspense. It is about this that he is to say “Thy will be done”, and for the daily task of bearing this that the daily bread will be provided. It is your business to see that the patient never thinks of the present fear as his appointed cross but only of the things he is afraid of. Let him regard them as his crosses: let him forget that, since they are incompatible, they cannot all happen to him, and let him try to practice fortitude and patience to them all in advance.

For real resignation, at the same moment, to a dozen different and hypothetical fates, is almost impossible, and the Enemy does not greatly assist those who are trying to attain it: resignation to present and actual suffering, even where that suffering consists of fear, is far easier and is usually helped by this direct action.

(Letter #6)

One Thing at a Time

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34)

The idea here goes beyond your calendar. You’re looking at what needs to be done today in a manner that’s not made more difficult by “worrying” about what might happen tomorrow.

When given the opportunity to ask Jesus to teach them anything that He might’ve been willing to share, one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1).

You can only imagine what it must’ve looked like to see and hear the Son of God praying…

It obviously made an impression.

He responded by telling them to pray according to what we know today as the “Lord’s Prayer.” Part of that prayer reads, “Give us each day our daily bread.”

We’re not supposed to be asking for a week’s worth of groceries. Rather, we’re told to be asking for what we need that day. He gives us what we need for that moment, which is another reason why you want to focus your emotional and physical energies on what’s current and not what lies in the future.

One thing at a time rather than everything all at once.

“Do not worry about tomorrow…”

Focus on today and what’s right in front of you.

One thing at a time.

Important Things First

Proverbs 24:27 says:

Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. (Prov 24:27)

The idea is that you’re getting ready to build a house, but first…

…you prepare your property so when it’s time to lay the foundation for your home, you’re ready.

In other words, you’re doing things in their proper order.

Someone wants you to be present at a party, but you’ve got a paper that needs to be finished.

Finish the paper first before you go to the party.

You’ve got a major test first thing tomorrow morning that’s going to count for 75% of your final grade and then you also some homework due later that afternoon.

Focus on that test and let whatever time you have leftover be spent on that homework.

That’s not just common sense, it’s Divine Wisdom coming right from the book of Proverbs.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

No, I’m not just talking about a great GPA or a material goal that’s worthy of your best effort.

I’m talking about life in general

In terms of strength, significance and success, there is no life greater than the one God offers in exchange for your obedience (Jer 29:11; Rom 12:2). To live out that Reality, simply maintain a constant line of communication with your King and let the thought of His Signature of Purpose being fixed to every waking moment of your life inspire you to be and do more.

Don’t just try. Win!

You’re constantly confronted with a version of yourself that’s inclined to make mistakes and concessions. Instead of “trying” to defeat that beast, win (Eph 6:12)! Keep your eyes on the finish line and the pat on the back that’s coming from your God when it’s all said and done (Rev 20:12). Reinforce your resolve and keep your brain free of obstructions with a steady diet of Scripture and frequent conversations with your King.

That’s why you read your Bible and that’s why you pray (2 Tim 3:16-17; Jas 1:5). It’s not just for the sake of being moral or being kind. That’s the shallow end of the pool! You want to get in over your head and apply God’s Word, His Power and His Perspective in everything you do so the end result is an accomplished goal, an admirable character and an eternal blue ribbon.

That’s the prize!

Managing your time isn’t just allocating the right amount of hours to a particular project or wisely choosing what represents the best use of your time in this moment.

It’s making sure that you’re using the Perspective and the Power that comes from God and not just the rational thought processes that fail to accommodate those things you can’t control or anticipate.

That’s how Christ was able to fit in everything that needed to be done in the space of three years to ensure that we’d still be talking about Him and His Truth today!

That’s real time management and that’s what translates to real results!

You Can’t Put Anxiety in a Bottle

You can’t put anxiety in a bottle and you can’t package stress in a box.

They exist in your mind and it’s here where Christianity becomes more than just a Sunday morning service. Instead, your relationship with Christ becomes a practical tool to help keep your head screwed on right.

A lot of what contributes to your stress level is the unintentional way in which your brain attempts to process everything all at once rather than simply taking it one step at a time.

Let me show you what I mean…

The Screwtape Letters

“The Screwtape Letters” is a short book by CS Lewis, who also wrote the “Chronicles of Narnia.” It’s a fictional collection of letters written by a demon whose nephew has been tasked with making life miserable for a recent convert to Christianity. It’s a great read because of the way it lets you see the tactics of the devil from the standpoint of Satan himself.

At one point, he says this. The numbers you see at the end of certain sentences is what we’re using to break it down

There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy [God]^❶. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them^❷;. Your patient will, of course, have picked up the notion that he must submit with patience to the Enemy’s will. What the Enemy means by this is primarily that he should accept with patience the tribulation which has actually been dealt out to him—the present anxiety and suspense^❸. It is about this that he is to say “Thy will be done”, and for the daily task of bearing this that the daily bread will be provided.^❹ It is your business to see that the patient never thinks of the present fear as his appointed cross but only of the things he is afraid of. Let him regard them as his crosses: let him forget that, since they are incompatible, they cannot all happen to him, and let him try to practice fortitude and patience to them all in advance.^❺ For real resignation, at the same moment, to a dozen different and hypothetical fates, is almost impossible, and the Enemy does not greatly assist those who are trying to attain it: ^❻resignation to present and actual suffering, even where that suffering consists of fear, is far easier and is usually helped by this direct action. (Letter #6)

❶ “Worry” makes you think about things instead of the One Who every “thing” answers to.

❷ God wants you to ask, “What now?” The enemy wants you to ask, “What if?”

❸ God wants you to focus on what’s happening today and not what might happen tomorrow (Matt 6:34).

❹ God gives you what you need for today. Inevitably, the things that are going to weigh on you the most have yet to happen, which is why you want to limit your perspective to what God is doing not and don’t allow your brain to be “hollowed” by the things you can’t know.

❺ Satan tries to get you to try and contemplate all your problems simultaneously – even those that have yet to happen and may never occur.

❻ There’s no logic in trying to process every worse case scenario all at the same time, yet that is the tendency when you’re on edge. In that moment, take a breath, focus on what’s directly in front of you, apply the Wisdom and Peace God provides – now you’re calm and approaching your challenge(s) from a position of strength.

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow – Focus on Today

Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34).” When He was asked by His disciples how to pray, part of His response was to ask for your “daily bread (Matt 6:11).” These are the Truths that Lewis is using as the basis for his imaginary exchange between Wormwood and Screwtape.

And he nails it!

One day at a time and one thing at a time. When God says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” He’s not encouraging irresponsibility, He’s saying to not try and see beyond your headlights…

When I first moved to Nashville, there were times I was hanging on by a thread. Especially when my drums were stolen, I was broke, alone (no girlfriend) and no real professional prospects. When I first read this part of the “Screwtape Letters,” it resonated with me immediately because I could right away see how a person’s mental disposition can be so quickly and unnecessarily compromised by envisioning every worse case scenario all at once.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3 says:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.(Is 26:3)

That word “mind,” can also be translated “imagination.” In other words, the peace that God provides is not directed only to the inventory of rational ideas you might have about what’s going on, but also to all those things you can imagine.

It would be interesting to know what Satan is attempting to do in order to trip you up. What would Wormwood’s letters to Screwtape look like if they were talking about how to get you to a place where you’re ready to break?

Inevitably it would be something similar to what you’re feeling now – overwhelmed and anxious.

Just remember: Daily bread is intended for one day. One thing at a time and be intentional about handing over to Him those things that you can’t control or anticipate.

Here’s some other quotes from the same book…

“Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground. I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is His invention, not ours. He made the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden.”

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.”

“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.”

“Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out…”

“It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

“There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them.”

“Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring but still intending to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”