Beat Back Despair

Sometimes we feel discouraged and begin to despair. The covid-19 pandemic is stressing an already weary world. Dysfunctional systems and the missteps of flawed leaders are in the news 24/7. We must look elsewhere for hope.

Michael W. Smith.  "Hang On." November 6, 2014.

Walk with God today.  “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

That’s when we need to remind ourselves that we can be the change needed at this time, as former Ohio Governor Kasick writes in his latest book, It’s Up to Us. We remember healthcare leaders and governors are collaborating across party and state lines to share medical equipment, technology, and facilities to save lives. We recall that some have stood firm against fear, intimidation, and selfishness. Many serve humbly, tirelessly, and sacrificially.

As Jennie Allen writes in her book Get Out of Your Head, “I have a choice.” That stops the downward spiral.

Today, speak words of empathy, offer acts of kindness, and provide reliable information. 

Rest in the knowledge that God loves you. He is with you. He is mighty to save. 

Malone University Chorale Virtual Choir.  "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." March 25, 2020

 

Sleepless? Meditate & Pray

Michael W. Smith.  "Ancient Words."

Sometimes sleep does not come easily, especially if you overindulge in the news or are concerned about loved ones.  Turn over your worries to the One who knows you best and loves you most.  Perhaps your bedtime routine needs an upgrade, beyond brushing your teeth and reading a few pages?  Try adding the spiritual disciplines of meditation and prayer to your day, practiced by Christians throughout the ages.  Begin with one of the short meditation exercises below, suggested by Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline.

1. Meditate on a scripture passage by internalizing or personalizing a verse.  Let the word(s) come alive for you.  Apply your senses to a Bible story.  Take your time.  To start, try:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:29
“I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 
 2 Timothy 1:7

2. Meditate by centering using "palms down, palms up." 
With palms down, turn over your concerns by praying along these lines: 
Lord, I give you my anger over ___,
I let go of my fear of ___,
I surrender by anxiety about ___,
I release my frustration over ___
Then turn your palms up to receive from the Lord.
Lord, I would like to receive Your ___. 
Be still.  Enjoy the silence.

3. Meditate by centering yourself and focusing on your breathing.  Inhale and exhale slowly for several minutes.  Pray along these lines:  I exhale my fear over ___.  I inhale Your peace (or light).  Be specific.  Let go of distracting thoughts.  Listen.  Give thanks as you close

4. Meditate by imagining yourself walking with God.  Picture yourself meandering along a lovely path.  Use your senses to hear the stream, feel the breeze, smell the fragrant flowers...  Visualize exploring a nearby meadow, lie down and look skyward.  Rest in God's presence.  Listen to God speak.  Let  Him instruct you, whether practical, spiritual, or silence.

5. Pray a Celtic prayer such as

"This Night
May God bless us
In our sleep with rest,
In our dreams with vision,
In our waking with a calm mind,
In our souls with the friendship of the Holy Spirit
this night and every night.
Amen."
Iona Community

or

"Deep Peace

Deep peace of the running wave to you

Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you."
Scots Traditional

Resources for the journey:
Richard Foster on "The Celebration of Discipline" Part 1 of 2, Feb. 19, 2013.  [YouTube 24:35]
Foster, Richard J.  Celebration of Discipline:  The Path to Spiritual Growth. [Book]
Wallace, Martin, compiler. Pocket Celtic Prayers. 2004. [Book]

Living with Limits

Living with a chronic illness is limiting, as anyone who has a physical or mental disorder will tell you. I remember my grandmother as bedridden by rheumatoid arthritis, but still able to play games like anagrams and offer us cashews as treats. Years earlier she had graduated from Wellesley College, taught school, married shortly after World War 1, and had 2 children. Due to her debilitating disease, she gradually became less mobile: cane to crutches to wheelchair and finally to invalid. Nevertheless, she remained positive, playful, informed, and connected to family and friends. She adapted and lived into her seventies.

In recent days when our coming and going has been curtailed, when we are encouraged to stay home to reduce contagion by the conoravirus, we may feel frustrated and restless. That’s normal. Our plans and schedules have been interrupted. 

We are beginning to realize that all of us live with limitations. For the safety of others and ourselves we choose to sacrifice our personal freedom to go and do whatever we like, whenever we like. We are realizing anew that essential resources are limited like masks, tests, ventilators, and medication. We are acknowledging that the world is more complex and interconnected than we had imagined. No one person or country can solve today’s problems.

Perhaps that’s why God the Creator, who is infinite and omniscient, stepped into our world in the person of Jesus Christ. “For God so loved this world that he sent his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16) God’s original plan was not to condemn the world, but to save it through his Son. This is the only perfect and fail proof plan I know. It takes you from this earthly life into eternity, under God’s rule. Only then will we experience life whole and healed.

Give God Time

We listen to the news to become informed citizens, especially in a national emergency. But we would do well to give equal time or more to God.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46:10

“We have a choice” as Jennie Allen tells us in her new book to stop the downward spiral of our thoughts and feelings. We can give God time. I hung a poster with these words and the image of a rowboat in my college dorm to remind me. I still need the reminder. We can turn to the truth and promises found throughout scripture. That grounds us so that we cannot be shaken by confusion, doubt, and fear.

Yes, it’s healthy to feel our feelings, to identify our emotions during the day. But we can choose not to become overwhelmed by them. Setting our mind on Christ prevents us from being swept up by too many worrisome broadcasts. Rather than numb ourselves with various distractions, we can speak to our soul. We can share a word of encouragement with others.

Stop playing the negative self-talk tapes. Tell your Father in heaven what you are feeling and what you need. Remind yourself that God knows you and loves you. Remember Almighty God is your stronghold, protector, provider, and physician. These truths calm the spinning mind.

David sang this song when the Lord delivered him from all his enemies.
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior;” 2 Sam. 22:2-3

So if you are starting to feel swamped by waves of wild thoughts, remember that Jesus calmed the waters long ago. He is Lord over storms. He is Lord over all. Sit in his presence awhile. Meditate on scripture. Listen. Breathe.

Changing: Like Christ

2020 is a good year to practice “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Rom. 12:12 Our Bible study group chose this verse to guide us through our family members’ complicated, prolonged illnesses and hospitalizations as the year began. Then the coronavirus arrived on our shores, bringing closings, cancellations, fear, and great distress. This has resulted in postponed primaries, closed restaurants and gyms, K-12 school closings, online only university classes and college students sent home without the prospect of graduation, major sporting and cultural events delayed or not held. Adapting to current realities is necessary. Dependence upon God keeps us steadfast as we experience trouble in this world. Sometimes we are called upon to sacrifice our
lifestyle of freedom on behalf of our weaker brothers and sisters. We are learning to practice Phil. 2:4
"Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others."

Preventing the healthcare system from being overwhelmed and decreasing covid-19’s spread became top priorities among government and global public health leaders. Twenty-first century technology and healthcare systems have been strained by the threat of contagious diseases like the current pandemic. History reminds us that others suffered during the 1918 Spanish flu and the 1300's bubonic plague. There is nothing new under the sun, as we read in Ecclesiastes.

Lent is a season to set our minds on God, give thanks, and pray. We have a choice to stop the downward spiral of our toxic thinking and feelings of worry and anxiety. We can choose to lean on God who is with us, who loves us, and who transforms us through various trials. Reaching maturity in Christ comes at a cost. Consider the Apostle Paul who wrote: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Phil. 3:10) The most compassionate people I’ve known have experienced sorrow and suffering in their lives, just like Jesus. Listen to their stories. Take comfort in knowing they took the next step by the power of the Holy Spirit. Life is short. Whom will you follow in tough times?

Ellie Holcombe.  "Find You Here."  2017.