May Newsletter 2020
May 2020
It’s May! – It is a time of renewal - of ourselves and of the beauty of nature that is all around us. It is a sweet reminder that the God of the universe is still in control of those areas of our lives that, especially now, can feel so out of our control. In truth, friends, there actually are – and have always been – only a few things in this life that we can control. Think about it: Can any of us control the behavior and actions of other adults? Can any of us control the forces of nature? Have any of us been able to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic? The answer to these questions is NO!
The truth is, for the most part, we only have control of the ways that we hold and respond to the circumstances all around us. We only have control of our own behavior, our own thoughts, decisions and perceptions. So, where does that truth leave us?
In the gospel of John, John gave an account of the love of Jesus, the Messiah, for His people and how important it is that we know the truth. In the Book of John, chapter 8, verses 31 and 32, it says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
In this passage, the ‘truth’ being referred to is the truth of Jesus being sent by the Father, to redeem us and give to those who know and embrace the truth, the assurance of eternal life. That truth is the most important truth – and as Jesus told us, the truth will, indeed, set us free!
As we all watch and wait for the world to return to “normal,” it is imperative that we abide in God’s Word of truth to us. It’s important because as we hold on to the truth of any circumstance, we are able to experience truth as peace and comfort. It is like the old saying we’ve all heard: “I can deal with reality – I just need to know what reality is.” Not knowing reality – another word for ‘truth’ – can cause worry, anxiety and fear.
One of our counselors of A Future and a Hope Counseling Ministry and the Director of Counselor Education, Dr. Rich Cozart, recently said that, “Fear is actually a blessing when it’s rational fear. Rational fear keeps us safe and cautions us to avoid danger. Fear, however, can also get out of control and can then become irrational, which can lead to a depressive emotional decline, as one becomes a victim to their own fear of the unknown and sense of doom.”
So, how does one accept reality, conquer fear and move on? Here are some suggestions that may be helpful:
Accept yourself. Acceptance of self is the ability to unconditionally value all parts of who you are.
Acknowledge your reality – assess which are valid fears and which may be irrational fears.
Practice radical honesty. Telling the truth to yourself promotes a sense of control and peace.
Identify your part. What part of it can you change and what part is out of your control?
Admit your limitations – honestly approach the situation and determine the best response.
Don't let fear get in your way – instead move through the fear to pro-active behavior.
Count on your competencies – know that you are adequate to respond appropriately.
Own your outcomes. Ownership inspires courage for dealing with future challenges.
What these suggestions have in common is that they provide a positive perspective on how fear can actually help us – and how we can ‘hold’ it in a way that our truthful assessment of the situation can provide the best possible outcome.
As children, we were all told that it’s always the best practice to be truthful. As it turns out, it seems that this was God’s idea first! – And, so, of course, it’s a good idea – because, the truth really will set us free!
Be FREE, friends – and have a beautiful May, a happy Spring and a blessed Mother’s Day!
