Anxious and Trusting
“Have no anxiety about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
--Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, chapter 4
The opening words of today’s text do not seem appropriate. Anxiety is a natural thing when life is not ordered and controlled. In hospital life we encounter patients and families (and even sometimes one another) whose anxiety levels are high. It seems to me that the helpful, interpretive word for life in places like a hospital might be: “Having anxiety is understandable; letting your anxiety drive you may not be helpful.”
Paul offers an alternative to anxious, tense, stress-filled and self-destructive tendencies. The alternative is not a shield from the uncertainties we face; it is a source of protection when we find our lives disrupted. The alternative is not an exemption; it is a comfort when we find the puzzle difficult. The alternative is not a magical wand for the disturbing condition; it offers a calming effect when everything appears fragile and tenuous. The alternative: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
This radical alternative can be a most appropriate resource for moments of anxiety. Releasing our requests to God is a statement of trust, releasing our total being into the arms of the Holy One. Such trust can be liberating and empowering.
A prayer: God, whom I trust, I release my anxious inner being to you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.23.10
Showing posts with label Releasing to God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Releasing to God. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, January 26, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 26
Faith
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
God’s mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning,
Great is God’s faithfulness, Great is God’s faithfulness.”
--A paraphrase of an early Hebraic song
SFGTD
No, this is not an eye test. This is something new I learned from a patient who had received a difficult diagnosis. It is a wonderful story of personal faith. The patient's resolve was remarkable; I let the patient know how empowering his words were for me. Then, after a moment of silence, he picked up a pencil and wrote these five letters on a piece of paper: SFGTD.
“Tell me more,” I said. The patient proceeded to explain that within minutes of hearing his news he spent a few moments in prayer. In his prayer he gave his diagnosis to God. He told me, “I am not going to concern myself with this and let worry overtake me.” He confessed that he was having moments when he would catch himself going back, but each time he thought of SFGTD. “Whatever happens will happen, we will see what each day brings,” he said.
“So,” I asked, “what is SFGTD?”
“Well, I prayed and asked in faith. From here on out it is ‘Something For God To Do.’”
Friends, I am a better person now that I know of SFGTD. I wanted you to know of it too! I’m glad I had a chance to listen to one of God’s people.
A prayer: O God, I release my burdens to your steadfast love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.26.09
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
God’s mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning,
Great is God’s faithfulness, Great is God’s faithfulness.”
--A paraphrase of an early Hebraic song
SFGTD
No, this is not an eye test. This is something new I learned from a patient who had received a difficult diagnosis. It is a wonderful story of personal faith. The patient's resolve was remarkable; I let the patient know how empowering his words were for me. Then, after a moment of silence, he picked up a pencil and wrote these five letters on a piece of paper: SFGTD.
“Tell me more,” I said. The patient proceeded to explain that within minutes of hearing his news he spent a few moments in prayer. In his prayer he gave his diagnosis to God. He told me, “I am not going to concern myself with this and let worry overtake me.” He confessed that he was having moments when he would catch himself going back, but each time he thought of SFGTD. “Whatever happens will happen, we will see what each day brings,” he said.
“So,” I asked, “what is SFGTD?”
“Well, I prayed and asked in faith. From here on out it is ‘Something For God To Do.’”
Friends, I am a better person now that I know of SFGTD. I wanted you to know of it too! I’m glad I had a chance to listen to one of God’s people.
A prayer: O God, I release my burdens to your steadfast love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.26.09
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