Evelyn Dove Coleman: Lean Back & Let Go
When I was young, my camp counselor at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Camp taught me how to relax into floating on my back in the swimming pool. The body of water seemed so big to me then. I felt the need to control my little body in it. But the wise counselor taught me how to allow the water to support me. And when I followed her advice, swimming became easy peasy. She simply said to "Lean back and let go."
That advice is applicable to other things in life I have found. The natural order of things may bring us to a response that has us pulling and pushing trying to control the situation. We may try to make people do the right thing. Or we want behaviors to make sense. But sometimes they just don't. However, II. Thessalonians 1:6-7 promises that God will recompense tribulation to those who trouble you and you can rest.
I have felt hurt when someone I had helped and supported turned and tried to take advantage of my health challenge. It has been a time when stress hinders healing if you allow it. The sound counsel from my long-ago swimming instructor came back to me. I realize that when you're sick, most people react with compassion and seek to relieve your burdens. They bring casseroles or soup and talk about positive things with you. They help you relax and heal.
Evelyn Dove Coleman established PathChoice Ministry in 1992. Send prayer needs to http://www.pathchoicepastoralcounseling.weebly.com or EvDove03@yahoo.com.
