Taking Lessons From Antihistamines

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There’s a commercial on TV where allergens like pollen are depicted as a giant green monster invading the town. People flee in terror except for one man who’s oblivious to the chaos around him. He’s unfazed by this ‘monster’ because he’s taken the antihistamine they’re advertising. He knows from past experience that an attack is likely to happen, so he took the antihistamine as prevention.

We can take a lesson from that commercial. We know that we’ll suffer chaos of some kind many times in our lives. Most of these attacks come from outside us, though sometimes they’re a direct result of the choices we’ve made. Regardless of the details, our troubles and pain are real. 

Prayer is our spiritual ‘antihistamine.’ While going through difficulties we probably won't remain unfazed, as the man in the commercial did, but here are a few ways we can build up our ‘defenses’ and handle life’s hardships with Christ:

“Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). 

Reflect often on His unconditional love for you and His promise to be with you always.

Attend weekday Mass; follow the daily Scripture readings on the Laudate app, which also gives brief reflections on those readings; or google ‘Mass readings for today’ and reflect on them.

Pray the rosary while you sit, while you walk, while you drive, and when you have trouble sleeping. This prayer connects Christ’s life with yours and oftentimes brings tranquility.

When you build up your ‘defenses’ with prayer, you equip yourself with His strength, joy, grace, peace, and unconditional love. Then, when difficulties arise and you feel the chaos closing in all around you, remind yourself that you have Christ’s power within you to strengthen you. Wrap yourself in His peace. This isn’t pollyanna peace where you deny your suffering, put on a happy face, and pretend everything’s OK. Rather, in the midst of your pain, cry out to Him and cling to Him in prayer. Pour out your heart to Him and He will help you. Offer your suffering to Him; ask Him to take it from you and use it for some benefit. Trust that He loves you. Trust that He can help you. Look around with Him for solutions and ways toward a resolution. Also, sometimes Christ shows Himself in the people you love, who you can trust and turn to for holy guidance. Lean on them and feel Christ’s presence in their love and support. When you do this, you’ll have greater peace than if you tried to manage the struggle on your own.

Clinging to Him in prayer and reminding ourselves over and over again that He’ll be with us at all times will build up our defenses. Then, when hardships arise, we’ll be equipped with His power and immense love to weather those storms. That reassurance will bring us His peace, even in the midst of chaos.

“In You, my God, I place my trust.” – Psalm 91:2

“Lord, help me stay focused on You when chaos hits.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

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P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Go Deeper Than the Storm

 

Winds howling. Mountainous waves tossing yachts like toys. Rain flying sideways. We’ve seen it in movies, and some of us have experienced it first-hand. Storms on the water can be brutal.

Far below the storm, though, far below the surface of the water, there’s calm. The fish and other creatures lurking at the bottom may not even notice there’s turbulence up above.

We have storms in life, too: A terrifying diagnosis, an accident, or serious illness. Financial difficulties. Family and work troubles. We’ve all had our share of suffering. These challenges may come upon us like the storms on Lake Erie: intense and without warning. We’re blindsided, and that shock adds to our anxiety.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

– Matthew 11:28

Imagine Christ saying to you, “Go deeper than the storm. Go where there is peace. Rest there, and let yourself be enveloped in peace. You can’t stop the storm but you don’t have to stay in it, either. Let the storm rage, but don’t let it toss you or break you. Surround yourself with My peace and know that, even if you can’t control the storm, you can control whether you stay there and fight it or take shelter in the depths of My love, where you will find peace and calm.” 

What does it look like to ‘take shelter in the depths of His love’? First, sit still. Breathe deeply, and slow your racing mind. Thank God for creating you out of His love. Thank Him for all He has already provided for you. Remind yourself that He is omnipotent; ask Him to help you carry this heavy cross. Trust that He, because of His immense love for you, will answer your prayers in the way that provides you with your greatest good. Ask Him to fill you with His peace. Let go of the tension in your mind and body.

Then, ask Him to show you the next step to take. While you’re sitting still and also as you go about your day, pay attention to the ideas that come to mind. Do you need to consult your medical provider? What changes can you make to lessen your financial strain? What professional resources are available to you? Do you have loving friends who support you, who would be happy to help if you asked them to? 

You don’t have to carry the burdens by yourself. Let Christ lead you toward those people who have been blessed with specific skill sets to assist you. 

Storms are part of life. Take shelter in the depths of His love and trust Him to guide you through the turmoil.

“Say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2

“Hold me close, Lord, and show me the way through this storm.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...