Monday, April 10, 2017
Is. 42:1-9; Ps.36:5-11; Heb. 9:11-15; Jn. 12:1-11
In January, I finished a chaplaincy internship at Tampa General Hospital. To many of you I shared that it became my weekly therapy session. In all seriousness, I do believe it was one of the hardest processes I have ever experienced but, at the same time, truly transformational for me. This internship confirmed to me God is present, even in suffering. Following are a few of my favorite lessons.
#1. God is already working in situations. We don’t need for Him to show up. We simply need to recognize what He is already doing. Remember to look for Him in every situation, both good and bad.
#2. People can’t fix other people. We fix things. Stop trying to fix others and focus on simply being with someone.
#3. It takes more energy to suppress emotions than it does to release them. Stop pushing your true feelings aside and get more energy!
#4. Too often, our western culture teaches us to hurry up and heal from a tragedy or loss. I’ve learned the only way to get through something is to go through it. Quite often, lingering allows for more effective healing.
#5. Refrain from assuming and let go of judging others. Everyone has a story and until you understand it, you might be confusing your assumptions with the truth. Understanding others comes from listening from the heart more closely.
While these lessons were learned in a clinical environment, they are easily transferrable to our Bayshore Community and into our personal lives. I urge you to pray over this list and see where God might be challenging you.
–Tammy Snyder