I think I might have been saying to God, not quite consciously, "I won't receive your peace, love, or hope, not until you resolve this or that insoluable issue that is causing me anxiety."
Perhaps it is natural to hang on to stress, thinking that it is an effective motivational tool. But many of the things that cause me stress can not be resolved immediately, some things may never be resolved.
Clearly God intends for us to be peaceful people. People who see clearly and act compassionately because we are not overwrought, because we trust in God's presence and redemptive activity in the real world.
I'm opening up to the idea that it's okay, more than okay, right and true, to be at peace even when there are several circumstances that seem to need urgent attention. I can face into these uncertainties and still receive from God the peace that surpasses understanding.
I'm beginning to agree with some conviction with the statement of Julian of Norwich, "All will be well, every manner of thing will be well." But I feel compelled to add the caviat, "but it won't be easy." Perhaps this went without saying at the time of Julian.
Perhaps it is natural to hang on to stress, thinking that it is an effective motivational tool. But many of the things that cause me stress can not be resolved immediately, some things may never be resolved.
Clearly God intends for us to be peaceful people. People who see clearly and act compassionately because we are not overwrought, because we trust in God's presence and redemptive activity in the real world.
I'm opening up to the idea that it's okay, more than okay, right and true, to be at peace even when there are several circumstances that seem to need urgent attention. I can face into these uncertainties and still receive from God the peace that surpasses understanding.
I'm beginning to agree with some conviction with the statement of Julian of Norwich, "All will be well, every manner of thing will be well." But I feel compelled to add the caviat, "but it won't be easy." Perhaps this went without saying at the time of Julian.
