Tough Life (Chapter 8) (Monday in the third week of Lent)

PAUSE
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly to recenter my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

(pause)
I pray Psalm 18: 28-29, repeating the words slowly, several times:
“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.”

REFLECT
Book passage: Perhaps we should accept what older people and poorer people and many of those with disabilities already know: things are probably going to be very difficult today and just as hard tomorrow. Maybe by adjusting our expectations we can reduce the sense of disappointment, isolation, and unfairness riding on the back of unanswered prayer. With a business-as-usual approach to life’s trials, the good times can becoming surprising and delightful It will be our blessings more than our sufferings that provoke us to ask God, “Why?” (p.100)

Bible: In John 16:33, Jesus promises His disciples both trouble and peace: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

ASK
Ask myself: Which do I find more surprising: life’s trials or its blessings? If I’d been born at a different time in history or in a different part of the world how might I relate differently to the difficulties I face?

Ask the Lord: I give thanks to the Lord now for the “common grace” of the world’s essential goodness, and the particular signs of His kindness towards me today.

YIELD
Naming my greatest desire and my deepest dread before the Lord one last time, I join with Jesus in His ultimate prayer of surrender in Gethsemane:

“Abba, Father … everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” (Mark 14:36a)

I ask for a miracle.

“Yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

I relinquish control.

Amen.