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“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil. 4:7 (ESV)
I am amazed at how God’s peace follows prayer. God’s peace has held me in the midst of acute sorrow and pain. That is truly supernatural!
However, prayer can be difficult as widows. Widow’s brain made me more distractable, and it took me awhile to realize part of me felt what was the point because God had not answered prayer for my husband’s healing—not here on earth at least. Other times I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t have articulated how I felt or what I needed. Thus my daily refrain became, “Please help me God.” He knew better than I, what I needed.
Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that prayer is not about getting what we want, or our own way. God’s primary purpose is for open communication between us.
We also acknowledge His importance to us and our desire to see Him do His will in our lives. Sometimes I want what I want and although I absolutely trust God’s best more than my own, I have to adjust when His answer is different than I wanted. God’s love is ever consistent, His knowledge without end, and His purposes led Jesus to the cross for our sakes. That frames everything I don’t understand because I do understand and accept His incomparable love.
As widows, the emotional roller coaster of widowhood is normal, but can be unhelpful when seeking God’s guidance for important decisions. Prayer and reflecting on God’s Word are key to experiencing Is. 26:3:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (NIV)
I have definitely encountered emotional triggers but sometimes my own thoughts are an emotional trigger. What about you?
I have to be conscious of where I let my mind roam. The Apostle Paul tells us we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. The “obedience of Christ,” is setting mental boundaries.
We have God’s Word to ground and teach us about the liberty we have in Christ, and what to avoid. It’s wisdom to spare ourselves, “What if…,” or, “if only…,” thinking. Why heap more heaviness on our already broken hearts? Instead, we might pray,
“Dear Father, teach me anything you want from the past but help me not fish there but to fish in the present for the love and lessons you have for me today.
After all Christ tells us in Mt. 6:34:, "Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (NAS)
Our prayers are strengthened by the daily nourishment and reflection of God’s word. As we pray, we engage our hearts, minds and will to reach out to our all-good God. In closing let’s pray this fitting scripture:
Dear Lord,”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” By doing this, I honor You.
Ps 19:14 (ESV)
