[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$ffP0wwZ_Fv69eSlUHqDoILFVlYHHAHS8TWn_w7RXKMZE":3,"$fjNxslcnV_-xQIo8uBBc8obU__KnVl0U2wp6icMwqBPM":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},36071,"Ed Cyzewski","E",12,null,"ed-cyzewski",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":114},[14,22,29,35,41,48,60,76,87,98],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2994750,"If you’re trying to add something to your life without subtracting something else, there’s a good chance the stuff that’s already there will win.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":28},2994748,"We have faith that the practices of silence, praying with scripture, or reciting the prayers passed on to us will bear fruit over time. If we continue to fight through our fears and anxieties in order to sit in silence, we trust that God can meet us, even if it leads to results we aren’t expecting or doesn’t even result in quantifiable progress.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nEd Cyzewski, a writer and speaker, likely penned this quote during a period of spiritual exploration and reflection. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and fear, Cyzewski may have been reflecting on the value of silence and prayer in his life, particularly during a time of personal crisis or uncertainty. This quote likely originated from one of his books or blog posts, where he shares his experiences and insights on the intersection of faith and creativity.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a paradoxical truth: that spiritual growth and progress may not always be measurable or linear. On the surface, it seems counterintuitive to trust that God can meet us even when our efforts don't lead to quantifiable progress. However, this insight suggests that true faith is not about achieving specific outcomes, but rather about cultivating a deeper relationship with God, even in the midst of uncertainty and fear.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, recognize that spiritual growth is not a measurable outcome, but rather a process of surrender and trust. When facing creative blocks or uncertainty, instead of fixating on specific results, focus on cultivating silence, prayer, and a deeper relationship with your source of inspiration, trusting that the process itself will lead to growth and transformation.",{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":32,"source":33,"quote_tag":34,"commentary":9},2994736,"When you’re hounded by the shame of the past, you can turn into a pretty miserable person who is always trying to measure up and please others.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":9},2994724,"One evangelical generation after another earnestly studies the scriptures in search of Jesus, trying to get past the fact that Jesus said studying the scriptures is not the same thing as pursuing him.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":42,"quote_text":43,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":44,"source":45,"quote_tag":46,"commentary":47},2994700,"Contemplative prayer removes us from the driver’s seat.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nEd Cyzewski, a contemporary writer and spiritual director, likely penned this quote in the context of his work on contemplative spirituality. As a Christian author, Cyzewski's writing often grapples with the intersection of faith and everyday life. This quote may have originated in one of his books, blog posts, or online courses, where he encourages readers to surrender their need for control and instead cultivate a deeper relationship with God.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe phrase \"removes us from the driver's seat\" is a counterintuitive truth, as many people believe that prayer is about asking God to grant their wishes or fix their problems. However, Cyzewski's statement reveals that contemplative prayer is actually about relinquishing our need for control and surrendering our agendas to God's sovereignty. This paradoxical insight challenges the common assumption that prayer is a means to an end, and instead suggests that it's a journey in and of itself.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn a modern application, this mindset can be applied by recognizing the futility of trying to micromanage our lives, projects, or relationships. Instead, we can practice contemplative prayer as a means to let go of our need for control and trust that God is working behind the scenes to bring about good. By surrendering our driver's seat mentality, we can tap into a deeper sense of peace, creativity, and purpose.",{"id":49,"quote_text":50,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},749726,"I can't learn or will myself into God's holiness, but my own willpower and planning can make all of the difference in whether I am present for God and his transformation.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},3588219,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},24823,"prayer-life",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":18,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":9},603305,"When you're hounded by the shame of the past, you can turn into a pretty miserable person who is always trying to measure up and please others.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[66,71],{"id":67,"tag":68},3173684,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},4038,"shame",{"id":72,"tag":73},3173683,{"id":74,"tag_name":75},6802,"living-in-the-past",{"id":77,"quote_text":78,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":18,"author":79,"source":80,"quote_tag":81,"commentary":9},572120,"Once I am aware of what has been on my mind and have established ways to respond in faith with a particular prayer, sacred word, or silence before God, my anxious thoughts lose a great deal of their power.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[82],{"id":83,"tag":84},3062824,{"id":85,"tag_name":86},3176,"prayer",{"id":88,"quote_text":89,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":18,"author":90,"source":91,"quote_tag":92,"commentary":9},538805,"Silence doesn’t have to be a major pilgrimage into the wilderness in order to find a solitary space. Everyday tasks such as driving around town, folding laundry, preparing food, washing dishes, or taking walks can all provide a measure of solitude each day when approached with the right mindset and a commitment to shut off televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, radios, and anything else that could interrupt silence.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[93],{"id":94,"tag":95},2939827,{"id":96,"tag_name":97},2646,"silence",{"id":99,"quote_text":100,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":18,"author":101,"source":102,"quote_tag":103,"commentary":9},490576,"[W]e wouldn't want to read a book about a perfect character who never struggles with character flaws, a difficult past, or interpersonal conflict. Writers can powerfully connect with readers when they venture to these thin places of pain and brokenness because readers can see themselves in the pain and want to journey from pain and struggle toward redemption or some kind of resolution.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[104,109],{"id":105,"tag":106},2755923,{"id":107,"tag_name":108},60,"writing",{"id":110,"tag":111},2755922,{"id":112,"tag_name":113},1848,"stories",{"currentPage":115,"totalPages":51,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":116},1,10]