Already There
I love road trips to new destinations. There’s always anticipation and excitement as I think about the places I’ll discover as I drive on roads I’ve never been on before. Even though I’ve never driven on them before, I’ve never once worried that I wouldn't get to my destination. Sure, there could be detours or delays, but I know the road will take me there.
So why is it that when I embark on a new journey in life there often seems to be more anxiety than anticipation and excitement? I worry that detours and delays could keep me from getting to where I want to go. Perhaps I need to reframe what “getting there” means when it comes to a new path in life. If “there” means things happening in the exact way that I would want then yes, I may not get there. I need to remind myself that when I pray the Our Father, I say Thy will be done and not my will be done. My dear and wise friend, Hope, often tells me that God answers prayer in three ways; yes, not yet or I’ve got something better for you. (I always tell her she embodies her name, Hope!)
Just as I know that new roads will take me to new destinations, I also know that I need to take the new roads in the first place! I’ve never tried to drive to a new destination by using the directions to a place I went to 20 years ago! So why do I think that old thoughts, old patterns of “stinking thinking” or old behavior will get me to a new mindset or place in life?
As a reminder to reframe my thoughts, I reread “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Each time I reread it, I find something new that helps me choose faith over fear. This time around I started praying one of Dr Peale’s prayers; “I place this day, my life, my loved ones, my work in the Lord’s hands. There is no harm in the Lord’s hands, only good. Whatever happens, whatever results, if I am in the Lord’s hands it is the Lord’s will and it is good. “
As we embark on each new day this Lenten season and each new chapter in our lives, I pray that we will remember that we’re already there.
John 10:28-29
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
Psalm 91:1-6
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly diseases. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.”
Isaiah 46:4
“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs, I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
Shared by Patricia Wu
Today, two posts will appear on the blog, the second post will highlight the launch of the Mental Health Television Network (MHTN). On March 5th, the MHTN, the first 24/7 network focused on news, education, and resources on Mental Health will be live. The network aims to revolutionize the conversation around mental wellbeing, providing reliable information, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals seeking support. This year's blog has focused on the road and our mental health and wellbeing are an integral part of a life well lived. More information to come... https://mhtn.org/