There are a great many things to be sad about these days--Irma, Harvey, Maria, the earthquake in Mexico, wildfires out west, the drought here, injustice in St. Louis, the Las Vegas shootings and on and on. It seems as though the tragedies are never ending and unsolvable. There are plenty of reasons to crawl in a hole and never look out. I pray for all those terrible tragedies and the people suffering losses and pain. I really do and I believe my prayers are not just wishes on the breeze, I believe that God is listening.
But, as a person who had a little dance with depression, I know that it is not good for me to dwell on these things. The big picture looks so terrible, but that is God's business, not mine. So, for me it is helpful to pray, contribute what I can and then look away. Thinking over and over again about things I can have no impact on is not productive.
So, I have to find the thing I need to focus on, and it is this for me--the present moment, where I am right now. I am not really suffering from any of the afore-mentioned tragedies. Give thanks to the Lord for this mercy. I had a nice lunch at my sister's house, praise God. It is an overcast gloomy day and it might rain, please God! Ice in my water, rejoice. And the praises could and should go on and on. I am free from critcism and manipulation these days. I am free. The joy in the Lord is my strength.
I am sure there will be times again, when I am personally in the midst of the cyclone so to speak, when I am dealing with horrific problems. I have to trust that God will be there with me. I have to do what I can for others who suffer. But, I need to not lose sight of the joy and mercies of the present moment. I am not called to feel guilt or pain because my life is a little slice of goodness these days. I am called to rejoice and to pray.
But, as a person who had a little dance with depression, I know that it is not good for me to dwell on these things. The big picture looks so terrible, but that is God's business, not mine. So, for me it is helpful to pray, contribute what I can and then look away. Thinking over and over again about things I can have no impact on is not productive.
So, I have to find the thing I need to focus on, and it is this for me--the present moment, where I am right now. I am not really suffering from any of the afore-mentioned tragedies. Give thanks to the Lord for this mercy. I had a nice lunch at my sister's house, praise God. It is an overcast gloomy day and it might rain, please God! Ice in my water, rejoice. And the praises could and should go on and on. I am free from critcism and manipulation these days. I am free. The joy in the Lord is my strength.
I am sure there will be times again, when I am personally in the midst of the cyclone so to speak, when I am dealing with horrific problems. I have to trust that God will be there with me. I have to do what I can for others who suffer. But, I need to not lose sight of the joy and mercies of the present moment. I am not called to feel guilt or pain because my life is a little slice of goodness these days. I am called to rejoice and to pray.