Quiet Table Guide: August 18-24
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. — Matthew 4:1-11
1. Ready Your Heart
Begin with a moment of silence or a short prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your time together, becoming aware of God’s presence.
2. Read
Slowly read this week’s passage. (Consider reading it out loud or in a different translation each day.)
3. Reflect
Slowly read the passage again. What word, phrase, or image stands out to you today? What in your life might the Holy Spirit be drawing your attention to?
4. Respond
Slowly read the passage again. What is God’s invitation to you today?
5. Receive
Slowly read the passage one last time. Spend a few moments in stillness, surrendering your thoughts, plans, and actions to God and resting in the presence of Jesus.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK: Refrain and Reflect
Here’s a spiritual practice you can try on this week to help you remain human-sized when you face the temptations to be sufficient, spectacular, and superior.
Imagine someone criticizes you or you begin to feel that you are not living up to expectations.
You feel it in your body.
Your heart races
Your jaw clinches
Your face gets warm
You feel the urge to defend yourself or over-explain, or to withdraw rising up…
Instead of giving in, here’s how you’re going to resist the temptation:
1. REFRAIN
Pause, hold back from the quick reaction.
Don’t send the email
Don’t fire back the defensive word
Don’t rush to fix it
Just breathe, literally.
Take several deep breaths in and out.
Refraining is about breaking the automatic loop of anxiety-driven reaction.
2. REFLECT
Then, create some space to ask yourself:
Why do I feel so threatened?
Am I trying to be spectacular, sufficient, or superior?
Where is God in this moment?
What’s the Spirit inviting me to know, do, or be right now?
Instead of reacting from your anxious autopilot self, you can respond from your grounded, Spirit-connected self.
Refrain and Reflect is like a brake pedal for the anxious loop inside us.
It creates space for the Spirit to remind us of who we are: God’s beloved sons and daughters.
You have nothing to prove.
You have nothing to lose.
Stay human-sized this week—present and connected to God, yourself, and to those around you.
