The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Whatever you need, God is there for you
Once, I heard a story about a teacher who was conducting a class about stress management. The auditorium was filled with students who were eager to learn the principles.
After a short introduction, on her podium, there was a glass of water. The teacher picked it up and asked, “How heavy do you think this glass of water is that I’m holding?”
Shouting out answers, one student exclaimed, “Eight ounces!” Another asked, “Is it a pound?”
The teacher shook her head, no. Afterward, she replied, “From my perspective, the weight of this glass of water doesn’t matter. It all depends on how long I hold it.”
There was total silence in the auditorium as the teacher continued, “If I hold the glass of water for a minute or two, it’s fairly light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm ache a little. But if I hold the glass of water for 24 hours, my arm will likely hurt and cramp up. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change. Yet, the longer I hold it, the heavier it would feel to me.”
A few minutes passed, and the teacher explained, “Your stresses and worries are like this glass of water. If you think about them for a while, maybe nothing happens. If you think about them a bit longer, you could begin to ache a little. Yet, if you think about them all the time, you might feel paralyzed, incapable of doing anything else.”
What are you holding onto in your life? What thoughts are you playing over and over again in your mind? As with the glass of water, if we think about and carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the load becomes increasingly heavy. Next, we may become worn out, as it’s too difficult to hold.
Could it be that you are carrying things that God did not intend for you to bear?
St. Francis de Sales offered to us one of the great principles of life when he stated,
“Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”
Let go of your stresses and worries. Today, release the weight of it all. You are not alone in handling your dilemma. God is with you.
During a recent summer vacation at the seashore, my daughter’s 13-year-old friend, Mary, went parasailing.
When the girls saw each other, Mary told my daughter all about their exciting trip. “Were you frightened parasailing, being 800 feet in the air over the ocean?” my daughter asked her.
“I wasn’t scared,” Mary replied. Quickly, she added, “My father was right there next to me.”
So do not fear or worry; God your Father is right there next to you. Pause for a moment, inhale, and then exhale. No matter what has happened, realize that God loves and cares for you. God is taking care of you, protecting you and will intercede and bring about deliverance. In the quiet and stillness, remember that regardless of how challenging your circumstances are at the moment, God will walk with you and guide you through each step of your journey. It tells us in the Bible that God was with David during his darkest hours of despair. And so He will be with you. God was with the children of Israel as He delivered them out of Egypt. Likewise, He will never leave or forsake you. And as Daniel sat in the den of lions, he was kept from harm. Similarly, there is no situation that is too tough for our God to turn around for your great good. For, God is working in your life right now. He is working a miracle in the midst of your biggest challenge. Therefore,
• Pray when you feel like worrying. Prayer is a strong antidote in easing anxiety and can help to restore our inner harmony. So convert worry-time into prayertime. For when you pray through a problem, the burden can be totally lifted. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Give thanks when you feel like complaining. With a heart full of gratitude, give continual thanks to God. One lady wrote to me and told that every night she sits at her desk at home and writes in what she calls her, ‘Thankfulness Diary.’ She jots down at least three things for which she is so grateful and then meditates on these blessings. This lady reported that when she does this, her mind and body become relaxed. And the more she thanks and draws near to God, the more He takes care of all her problems, bringing her perfect peace. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34).
• Keep going when you feel like quitting. Much anxiety is due to what we ‘tell ourselves.’ Turn away from discouraging voices. If you catch yourself in negative selftalk, immediately replace it with a positive reflection. Push away extraneous thoughts. If you’re inclined to think of the worst scenario, train yourself to shift things around and think on only the best possible outcome. Always try to put the emphasis on the positives of life. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7).
Comparably to a diamond in the making, let’s face the pressures we encounter with grace, faith and courage. And soon, like the diamond, we will emerge with a new luster, a new brilliance and new clarity.
Whatever you need today, God is there for you. Thus, let peace rule in your heart.
Release the scars of yesterday and be on the lookout for the great joys and blessings that are ahead.
That setback, that disappointment, that unfair situation didn’t change who you are or stop God’s great purpose for your future.
This is your year: today is your day to be set free.
It’s time to put the glass down.