The Sixth Week of Easter: From FEAR to HOPE
STEP ONE: BREATHE
Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.
STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD
“He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. “
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FEAR NOT - Some things to try out
Ending each week of this devotional, there will be a collection of practical suggestions on how you can FEAR NOT. As pastors we know the importance of bringing the abstract ideas of faith down to earth. What can I do in the face of fears? Here are a few suggestions from the pastors who wrote this week’s devotions. Try them out. Allow them to spark other ideas within yourself.
“It is often easier to see loss rather than abundance. Perhaps take time this week to look for the things that increase rather than decrease when we “spend” them. The sourdough starter that will. not. stop. The potato eye you plant that grows a half dozen or more new potatoes. Laughter, smiling, creating, loving, etc. The signs of God’s abundance are all around us.””
“At one of the lowest points of my life, my pastor introduced me to something called a ‘breath prayer.’ When the stresses of life, or death, reach that point where you fear you have nothing more to give or lose, take a deep breath. Hold it for a few seconds. And as you exhale, ask God for the one thing you need most in that moment. Just one breath, one ask. Repeat as needed. “”
“We live in a very mobile society. Many of us live far away from our hometowns and the family that lives there. My spouse got the call that her mother was failing, she immediately booked a flight from Seattle to Minot. On the leg of the journey from Minneapolis to Minot, the plane was within miles of the airport when it had to turn around and return to Minneapolis due to fog. Her mother passed without her being there. I got word that my brother was being moved to hospice. I booked a flight from Seattle to Detroit on the next day. They moved my brother that afternoon and he died within hours...I wasn’t arriving until the next day. A loved one’s death can come so suddenly that we should never pass up the opportunity to tell them how much we love them and how much they mean to us. My spouse and I were able to do that by phone, but it’s not the same as being there. Give a call to a loved one today. It will make both you and them feel much better.”
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STEP THREE: PRAY
Loving God, you give us the gift of loved ones we can treasure. Yes, relationships can be difficult and not all of them are healthy or life building, but those folks are still your children and they are still a part of who we are. Let us not take them lightly or for granted. We are all a part of your family of love and grace. Amen.