Thursday, July 22, 2010

Going Through Challenges


This week was one of those challenging weeks we all have once in a while. At times it was difficult to maintain my serenity even though I know that no matter what is going on around me, I can choose to stay peaceful inside.

I had to release my fears and calm my thoughts as I remembered that everything that happens is a positive lesson teaching me forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, acceptance, and patience. When I stay centered, I can help others who are going through challenges too. We are all connected so we hurt when others hurt.

Lots of my friends have been hurting lately. There is nothing I can do to help except listen with empathy and then leave it to God. I thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit who comforts me and those around me. I am so grateful for that. "The Lord is my Shepherd." (Psalms 23:1) Thank God for strength to meet my challenges! I am never alone. I hold my friends in thoughts of love and strength too. I know that God will enfold them with everlasting love.

Light and Love,
Patty

3 comments:

Patty said...

"He leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2) Emmet Fox says that water symbolizes the soul. God leading us beside the still waters means that through the Power of Prayer our souls find rest and perfect peace.

I had a three hour lunch with a good friend I hadn't seen in years. She told me that she had a lung transplant and is experiencing rejection. She also found her long lost son but discovered he had terminal cancer. My heart went out to her. She asked me when she would experience peace? I thought about her situation and knew she was being very courageous. I said the first thing that popped into my head and that was that she will experience peace when she chooses it. I told her that. She nodded her head in agreement.

You might wonder how someone going through so much can experience peace. I can't even imagine the challenges that she is facing. I do know that at our inner core, we have the peace of God that outer circumstances cannot shake. This peace turns darkness into light. Christian D. Larson says, "Rejoice in the great fact that you are greater and stronger than any fate; that you have the power to master your whole life......and as you proceed to exercise this right, the darkness of today will become the sunshine of tomorrow, and the disappointments of the present will become the pastures green of the future."

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Jerry Jampolsky writes, "I can choose peace by directing myself to be peaceful inside, regardless of what is happening outside. Whenever I believe that my peace of mind is dependent on what another person does or doesn't do, or on whether an event or experience goes my way, I will always be in conflict. It is helpful for me to remember that at any moment, no matter what is going on outside myself, I can actually choose to be peaceful inside. Today I can choose how I feel about myself, others, and the world."

Light and Love,
Patty

Patty said...

"Just as a leaf effortlessly flows along on a river, gently floating around and over any obstacle in its path, I effortlessly flow along on the river of life. As I relax and allow myself to be guided by the love of God, I experience the gentle peace of knowing that regardless of appearances, I am being divinely led along the path of life that is right for me. Led by the love of God, I learn the lessons I am meant to learn and reach the spiritual understanding that only I can experience for myself." ~ Daily Word

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