What a difference our attitude makes to how we respond to all God sends. As Saint Paul says: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5; NLT).
Last night I dreamed I was very ill. It was clear that I was dying, and that this was beyond my control, and beyond any possibility of medical intervention.
In my dream, I was aware that my attitude to death would make a huge difference to how I experienced it. I could accept what was happening, facing it willingly and putting my trust in God. Alternatively, I could resent it, get angry, and feel bitter, or afraid, even blaming God. However, no matter how I approached it, death was still inevitable.
It was a very vivid dream, and I laid awake for a long time afterwards. Eventually I gave up hoping to go back to sleep, so I sat up in bed with a hot drink, and began to pray. To my surprise, as soon as I had said the Lord’s Prayer, today’s blog began to arrive:
In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NET).
I’m hot. I’m cold.
I’m restless. I can’t sleep.
Into my mind, Lord,
Doubts and questions creep:
Can I face all that’s coming
Without fear?
Yahweh, I know I can’t,
But you are here
To help me bear
Whatever you may send:
My Lord, my God,
My Comforter, and Friend.
Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:11; NLT).
References
I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).
The LORD gives both death and life (I Samuel 2:6; NLT).
He …became anguished and distressed (Matthew 26:37; NET).
Look – the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26:45; NLT).
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
I want your will to be done, not mine (Mark 14:36; NLT).
He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16; KJV).