FAMILIES SHARING HOPE
  • Blog
  • Resource Links
  • Books
    • News to Make You Weep
  • Prayer Requests
  • Contact
  • Connecting with Community

give yourself the gift of time

1/21/2016

0 Comments

 
I think it is good when I have some anxiety about a decision I am making. It means I am thinking about a response rather than indulging a reaction.

Of course when my beloved husband had a heart attack, I was responding as I was praying, but even at such a very frightening and distressing time (my late husband had died of sudden cardiac arrest 14 yeas earlier), I was able to function calmly and efficiently. When we arrived at the hospital there was plenty of waiting and no small sense of urgency as I notified family as far as 14 hours away and started family and friends praying. But through it all my praying habit brought blessing upon blessing. Over the coming days there were tears but no hysteria, anxious moments (really never fun to get a call from ICU at 3:30 a.m.) but no panic. I was convicted that God held us very tenderly in those challenging days, sending so many blessings.

And I have come to appreciate how consistently that, when I'm moving in response to God's Will, I have a sense of peace, calm and stillness. As soon as I start trying to rely on my own abilities and resources, I begin to feel rushed, panicky and awash in an irrational sense of urgency.

So, I take a deep breath, acknowledging God's presence in that moment, affirming or asking for God's guidance, tender care and wisdom. When I feel like a whirling dervish I know it is not the time to make a decision because it would be like throwing a bucket full of darts at a board -- no winning outcome and a big mess to clean up.

I have found help in asking myself: Do I really need to decide this right now?

If someone is rushing you to decide or declare or act "right now" be especially careful. That is so often an indication that they are acting without care and even with a desire to control you or stampede you into something they fear you will avoid if you have time to think about it. Sisters, we have all experienced this and seen this. Learn from it and practice being still, and choosing to pause and claim the promises of God our Savior. 

I used to tell my children that it was good for them to be afraid of rushing into traffic on a busy street because it was a dangerous thing to do and should only be attempted with thought and consideration of alternatives. This has been good advice for all my life. When you feel anxious about a course of action it may be God saying "Take care. Go slowly. Think ahead." and it may be God saying "Trust me even as you go ahead with this scary thing." Figuring out which it is can take time. Give yourself the gift of time when seeking the best choice for you." 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    CHECK IT OUT:
    BOOKS TAB 
    ​News Tab


    For information on meetings use the "contact" button above or call Jann @ 816-896-9815


    Author

    Jann's son was incarcerated.  She longed for a community where she could connect with others dealing with similar issues.

    Categories

    All

    Archives

    January 2023
    April 2022
    March 2022
    July 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.