There's a story of the ancient king who asked his wise men to come up with a phrase that would be true in all situations...in times of war and in times of peace, in illness and in health, in poverty and in wealth. After studying the situation for as long as it took, the wise men came back to him with the phrase, This, too, shall pass.
I never asked for a forever phrase, a guarantee if you will, but I was gifted with what to me is the equivalent. It stands me in good stead no matter the cause, and I don't quibble with the workings of it.
In my early ego-deflating years (as opposed to the ego-deflating of today), I pretty much lived in a state of anxiety.
One day, in the midst of I remember not what my self-invited disaster was, I saw a sliver of gold in it. I concentrated on that sliver of gold, held it tight, and came out the other side...what can I say other than "the better for it." I don't remember the specifics, but I do know from that moment, when I perceive an "oh, no!" I look away from the "no" to find me a "yes," or at least an "ok," and there's my sliver of gold.
It can take some time turning the situation around to find that sliver of gold, and that's a benefit. The search keeps my attention centered on the unknown good that I know is there for me rather than drifting toward the singing Siren in my ear.
It can take some time turning the situation around to find that sliver of gold, and that's a benefit. The search keeps my attention centered on the unknown good that I know is there for me rather than drifting toward the singing Siren in my ear.
I maintain that this is the basis, the foundation, for building trust in the goodness of Providence. Of Providence as Love. Of Providence as Love as God. There. That's what I call shucking the shields...it takes some doing to break down the reasoning mind's defenses without breaking the reasoning mind.
Well, it takes some doing without breaking the mind until we learn that our mind isn't going to break...it might take a hike or two, but dependence on our mind is unnecessary when we have experience trusting God. It is not only unnecessary, it is superfluous for it draws down our very trust in God.
Oh, blinding flash! That's probably how I was moved away from my dependence on my reasoning mind up to a deeper dependence on the Father within. Which, I quickly add, is an ongoing state...just as is trust which must deepen daily.
God is so good to me. To us.
Thank you.
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