‘But I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, “Thou art my God.” My times are in Thy hand…’
Psalm 31:14
Hello dear friend,
Thank you for stopping by!
The three minute meditation below about trusting God relates to my recent bad bout of shingles. It was a challenge but I was determined to stay as positive as possible during the episode - which was quite an experience! I did what I always try to do, and what I advise everyone to do: stay as close to God as possible at all times.
The shingles affected the right side of my head, forehead and eyelid, and then it caused viral conjunctivitis and an ulcer in my right eye. It was rather nasty and painful - as anyone who has had it will know - as it involves the nerves in the skin. Happily, I am well on the mend and also getting my strength back. (It's quite a long business.)
It did though, through my choosing, include some spiritual development. First of all I offered the pain up for the souls in purgatory. And in the midst of the pain I sometimes found myself identifying with Christ on the cross, though, of course, it goes without saying: His pain was way beyond mine...! One night, while trying to get to sleep, I found myself praying. 'Dear Lord, I'm not asking You to take this illness away but the doctor said I needed plenty of sleep in order to heal. So please will you help me to go to sleep. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.' And He immediately gave me advice on getting more comfortable. When I did what He suggested I fell asleep quickly. Thank You Lord!
For me though, the worst thing about the shingles was not my personal pain - which I knew was temporary and part of an illness - but the thought of the pain of others stemming from, say. life-threatening disease. I just hated to think of all those poor people going through a terrible time. It was at that point that I told God that I didn't understand why that was happening.
But very soon I came back to: 'Lord, Your ways are not my ways but I know that you are Love. And though I do not understand many things in this life I choose afresh to trust You implicitly. Knowing that one day all will be revealed to me and everything will have stemmed from Love.' As Saint Paul put it, 'Now we see through a glass darkly. But then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part but then I shall understand fully.' 1 Corinthians 13:12
The meditation below was the fruition of that experience. I am sharing it with you in the hope that it will help you - now or in the future when you need it.
Let Biblical Inspiration Fire Your Imagination!
3 minute reading and meditation
You will need a bible, a chair, and few minutes alone
‘But I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, “Thou art my God.” My times are in
Thy hand…’
Psalm 31:14
Perhaps you will agree that when things are going well in your life it
is easier, much easier, to say that you trust God. Maybe your faith could be
described as vibrant. You may even have got to the point in your spiritual
development where a crisis in your life can be viewed – sooner rather than
later - as the test it is. But. When you are ill or in pain, or feeling
overwhelmed by life, it is human to have a bit of wobble. Even saints have
admitted as much. If you are going through a dark valley at the moment I hope
that the meditation below will help you circle back to ‘Jesus, I trust in
You!’.
1. Read Psalm
31:9-16
2. Sit up
straight and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few
seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your
body relax.
3. Now meditate for
a few moments on the mysterious nature of God. Then focus on the fact that
though, in this life, we will NEVER have all the answers to the most difficult
questions, God asks us to trust Him. And though that is especially difficult
when we are suffering in some way that is precisely when our trust is most
necessary. Otherwise, how can we prove our trust?
4. Now say
this prayer – or one of your own – ‘Dear Lord Jesus, without You I am
nothing. So I beg you to be patient with me if I become impatient with a
painful situation in my life. Please remind me of my promise – made in a
happier time - to turn everything over to You; to trust all outcomes to Your
loving hands. I ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen’
5. When you
are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then open your eyes and have a
big stretch.
Prayerfully hoping the above meditation helps you through your toughest
tests of trusting God.
God bless,
Teresa x
UPDATES!!!
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I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.
Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US / In Singapore
Available as a Kindle version or paperback!
Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices.
I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life.... Enjoy!
Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK / In US / In Singapore
Available as a Kindle version or paperback!
I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.
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Available as a Kindle version or paperback!
Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer: 9 Days to Heaven
For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website. (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)
I'd love to hear your thoughts or feedback on this post.
God bless,
Teresa
PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity
