I [Robin W.] came across these beautiful, heart-felt devotions on a website for those with mental illness, written by others who are battling mental illness, while researching the topic along with suicide rates through this 10 month Covid season. Right now in Japan, more people died from suicide in October 2020 than from Covid in all of 2020. And women have been impacted most.[1] Americans are also seeing an uptick in the suicide rate as well during these past few months.[2]
I am probably like most of you out there – with being so over the social distancing and wearing masks thing but I know it is necessary to remain healthy and be part of the solution to eradicate the virus. Mental health is also so important to all of us but when you are someone who has been facing a mental health challenge during the Covid season it can be all the more stressful with the upcoming holiday season.
Last week’s advent candle was the light of HOPE. No matter what type of season we are facing, we can all participate in God’s redemptive light with waiting for Jesus Christ to come again by joining Paul in prayer that:“the God of hope might fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).
“open hand”, posted February 17, 2020; https://offigtreesandmustardseeds.com/open-hand/, author anonymous
OPEN HAND
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (ESV)
As we approached our last year of living in Davenport, and all the decisions and uncertainty that came with it, our small group prayed for us. One of the women there that night asked God that we would approach him with an open hand. I remember envisioning myself opening up my palms to the Lord, letting go of my perceived control, and receiving what he had for me. It is still one of the best prayers I remember ever hearing prayed for me, it changed my whole mindset toward God’s plans.
Have you ever prayed unselfishly? Not by praying for someone else, but by being open to God’s plan for you? By knowing he is guiding your life and stands in completion of his plan for you, for all things?
He knows your heart and your desires. He knows your limits and abilities, and he knows everything you need. And he will provide it all. Jesus knew how to do this, and that’s why he taught the Lord’s Prayer.
God doesn’t lead us to guilt. Conviction, yes, but not guilt. Shame-inducing whispers and uncertainty are from the enemy, the devil. Whatever you pray, trust the Lord. Lay it all down at his feet, open and honest. He already knows it all.
Prayer isn’t for God to know what we think we need. It’s for us—to reorient ourselves toward reliance on him. Believe what he has for you is good.
Reflection:
Ask God how He can use your hands for some ministry around you to do good.
Open your heart and open your hands to receive Him.
Prayer:
Father God, whatever I am dealing with right now, I turn it all over to You. You are my rock, my stronghold and deliverer. Thank you for the light of Hope, who is your son Christ Jesus. I can rest in knowing I am in good hands. In Jesus Powerful Name – Amen.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/28/asia/japan-suicide-women-covid-dst-intl-hnk/index.html
[2] https://abcnews.go.com/Health/predictions-suicides-overdoses-domestic-abuse-covid-coming-true/story?id=73836752
