God's Transcendent Peace - by Jennifer Saake

4/17/2011

Anyone who has every dealt with pregnancy after a miscarriage or stillbirth knows the fear that can overtake you. Here is an article written by a friend of mine who has been there. Click on the link after the introduction to read the whole article at Glory and Strength webzine. It will be available until the end of April.

I'm sitting on a cold exam table, clad in a thin paper gown, anticipating a full-body evaluation. The door reads “Skin Cancer Institute.” If that weren't enough to have my blood pressure elevated, I'm processing this morning's news that my kidneys are showing signs of distress.

Click here to read the rest of the article at Glory and Strength.

6 Comments

Betty Liu

10/22/2013 11:34:33 pm

Dear Naomi,

Actually, I tried to open the article "Glory and Strength", but it said there is "500 Internal error". Therefore, I would like to know if I can read this article online somewhere. I really want to learn to have peace in God since I am a worrywart most of the time. May God bless you. Thank you very much. Hope I did not create too much work for you.

Best regards,

Betty Liu

Jennifer Saake link

10/25/2013 07:23:28 am

I will see if I still have this article in my files...

Jennifer "InfertilityMom" Saake link

10/25/2013 07:36:04 am

Betty, try this...

I'm sitting on a cold exam table, clad in a thin paper gown, anticipating a full-body evaluation. The door reads “Skin Cancer Institute.” If that weren't enough to have my blood pressure elevated, I'm processing this morning's news that my kidneys are showing signs of distress. That call came just before I discovered that the paperwork I've spent the winter carefully organizing in preparation for filing our taxes has been “helpfully reorganized” by my five-year-old. I don't know if it's God's sense of humor or His gentle grace that finds me writing on the topic of “peace” today.

Peace is the absence of being ruled by anxiety or rage, a grounding calmness imbedded deep within my spirit. Remember last month when I mentioned that peace is a close companion to joy? Like joy, peace should not be shaped by my circumstances. Rather, it should be a well I can draw from when life overwhelms. Just as lasting joy can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is much the same with peace. God says His peace “transcends all understanding” (see Philippians 4:6-8). [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-8&version=NIV1984 ]

Let me demonstrate how this works. I became pregnant with our oldest son after nearly seven years of infertility. Having already lost eight children to miscarriage or adoption losses, I knew all too well that pregnancy doesn't always mean a bring-home baby. I found myself in a moment-by-moment battle with fear. To combat these overwhelming emotions I kept a notebook nearby. Every time I became anxious, I had to stop and share my worries with God though prayer. Then I pulled out my pen and made tangible lists to help me intentionally focus on what was true, pure, lovely and excellent about this time with our child, practicing thanksgiving in the moment to squelch fears of an unknown future.

In doing these things my fear would softly melt away. I couldn't know if we would get our happy ending, but I could rest in knowing God would be there to see me through whatever lay ahead. The truth and beauty of that moment was that I carried life inside of me. I knew from experience to treasure each day, but I couldn't do that as long as I allowed the black cloud of “what if” to hang over my head with the thought of each tomorrow.

You've heard the old method of taking a deep breath and counting to 10 to calm down, right? That's taking the time to dig deep for inner strength to respond with grace rather than reacting out of anger or fear. “Responding” rather than “reacting” is an important key. Other proactive steps I can take to help cultivate a more peaceful heart include:

– Examining my circumstances and priorities.
Is this a situation I have any control over? Is this activity a must or is it excess busyness that can be eliminated?

– Asking for help when I'm overwhelmed.
Can I delegate responsibility or recruit some assistance?

– Planning ahead.
I'm learning to start heading for the door 15-30 minutes earlier than I anticipate needing to actually leave the house. Inevitably that time-cushion gets eaten up by “last minute” unplanned time expenses, but I can usually still pull out of the driveway on time this way.

Why do we invest so much time in our fears? My dermatology appointment is over now and the doctor gave me a clear report; statistics tell us that most of what we worry about never happens. I don't know what's going on with my kidneys yet, but worry won't change the outcome. Anger over the tax paperwork will just use up precious energy and emotional reserves best saved for when real crises hit. Hopefully I'll be able to reorganize in time, but if not, we can always file an extension.

Be it fear or stress or anger, peace is the antidote. While bubble baths, chamomile tea and soothing music might bring an added layer of calm into my world, my environment doesn't need to rule my heart. Peace can be a constant in my ever-changing day when I stop to remember Who is really in control.

@Copyright, Jennifer Saake, 2011

Jennifer Saake link

10/25/2013 07:36:21 am

Jennifer Saake link

10/25/2013 07:37:24 am

Betty Liu

10/29/2013 04:35:36 am

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you very much for your help. I will let you know my insight.

Betty

God's Transcendent Peace - by Jennifer Saake

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