There was a snowball growing inside my mind. Icy cold - a small negative thought that started to build and grow. It began as the distinct feeling that no one understood or even cared who I am, how I think and what I struggle with. Those who may express concern do so only when they think of it. Or, if I do or say something to bring my distress to their attention, they may briefly try to help.
The weight of more negative thoughts crushed and threatened to consume me. I was bowed down with the hopelessness of the seemingly sterile and futile life that loomed ahead of me. All of these emotions seemed so true to me. But all of these thoughts were based on my feelings and not actual truth.
As I dissolved into tears, I once again prayed for help. The scripture that rescued me this time is in the Second letter written to the Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 5 which says, in part, “. . . to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”So I brought the huge snowball of emotions and pain to Christ in prayer. As I did so, the warmth of God’s love reduced the intensity of the struggle and the agony of painful emptiness, much like sun melts away a snowball. In my mind’s eye, what remained was only a puddle of water with two ugly, small things in it: Fear and lack of trust in God’s care for me. There was no condemnation from Jesus for the feelings of fear and my failure to keep trusting in Him. There was, and is, only wonderful peace and love. Feelings are not sins, they are human, but they can become a trap.
Exposed to the light of Christ’s love; the warmth of His acceptance and the wonder of His great understanding, I was able once more to choose the blessed joy the Holy Spirit holds out to those who mourn, for those who grieve are promised a blessing, “For they shall be comforted.” (Remember? “Blessed are they who mourn . . .”.) You can come closer to the heart of God than you were before the tragedy came along. That is, of course, if you seek the Lord for His help and comfort.
So, do not let that painful thought morph into a snowball of negativity of gigantic proportions, when God is waiting to enfold you in His everlasting arms with promised relief and bountiful love! Doma
I find it especially easy in today's world of powerful and supermodel-thin women to continually present myself with negative self-perceptions that build up and destroy my entire self-concept. If only I could learn to turn to Christ at the beginning of this process so that the snowball doesn't turn into a snowman! This post was very uplifting, so thank you!!
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