GOD ON MUTE

How am I going to get through this?

“And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ … He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’” - Mark 14:34,36

Pause

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”- Psalm 130:5

Reflect

  • Bible: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

  • Book: “As the day of the surgery approached, we also found great comfort in the promises of the Bible. I'm not just saying this because it's what Christians are supposed to say in situations like this. The Bible addressed our fears in a way, no person could, and gave words to things that we were struggling to express. Almost every night we went to sleep, clutching a verse for dear life.” (p.23)

Ask

  • What are you anxious about?

  • What helps lessen your anxiety?

  • Do you feel that prayer and conversation with God help you respond to anxiety? Why or why not?

  • How has the peace of God helped you transcend a crisis that you faced?

  • How do the words of the Bible help you address your fears? What is your favorite Bible verse?

  • Do you spend time with God before you go to sleep for the night? Why or why not?

  • What are you waiting on the lord for?

  • What unfulfilled hope do you have right now?

Yield

The serenity prayer of Reinhold Neibuhr:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.



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