In Quiet in Crisis

Giving birth is a scary thing - I've been blessed to do it twice but both times there was a point at which mentally and physically I felt overwhelmed and I thought nope I'll do this another day. I actually tried to talk my husband into taking me home! One thing I noticed was my inability to make noise of any sort. On some strange unconscious level it seemed the quieter I was, the less reality the physical and mental meltdown held. This was in total contrast to the poor women in the room next to me! I guess what I discovered about myself is I'm simply not a screamer. Interestingly the medical staff told me they are more mindful of the 'quiet ones' because less alarm is raised when things go wrong. The danger is as we try and suppress or put on our stiff upper lip we can make ourselves unwell. Given the rise of diagnosis of mental health problems we can perhaps assume there are many people are going through life in quiet crisis.

We all deal with crisis in different ways like the woman next to me in hospital - you may be vocal, you may be a great communicator who works out solutions, reasons and understanding through interaction with other people or God in prayer. If this is you be encouraged that you've found a way to get purchase on the slippery rock-face of crisis. There are others who internalise in an equally healthy way. You may get your purchase through reading, information finding, meditation, reflective prayer or writing.

I am aware of a number of you going through different aspects of crisis (thanks to those of you who have shared privately via email- you are in my prayers and it is my privilege to encourage you). It breaks my heart to know there are folks going through awful situations feeling so very alone. For some of us the pain of life can be just too much, so gut wrenching that it feels like no one else could possibly understand. Beloved when you are paralysed in the moment of utter doubt, utter hurt, utter crisis there is one who understands. His name is Jesus and He gets you, He gets the situation from the inside out of who you are. He will sit with you till your head stops spinning and your breath returns. He will comfort you and nurse your brokenness back to life. You don't ever have to be alone - ask Him to meet you there humbly, quietly in your crisis for He cares. 

" Cor 1:3&4 'Praise be to the God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.'

very gentle Hugs this week

Ruth x

Jesus uses introverts too!

This is not an extrovert or an introvert it's just a cute monkey!

 

There are many conferences going on over the summer and it's a wonderful thing for tens of thousands of people in our nation to come together to seek God and worship Him. I love conferences they are a great way to spiritually recharge, inspire vision and build relationship. We are so very blessed to live in a time of excellent communicators, sophisticated music and the freedom to gather. I am aware however that there are those folks for whom such a huge gathering would be a trial. Those who need solitude to reflect, to deeply process and internalise before they become operational. I've had a growing sense over the last ten years or so that  - high octane pumped preaching for many, equates to being full of the Holy Spirit and 'on fire' with the plans and purposes of God. Perhaps this unspoken attitude is a throw back to the power dressing, dog eat dog attitude of the 90's but somehow we have seen extroversion as good and introversion as bad. 

This is a problem for me for I am sensitive and was brought up not to shout to be heard. I'm easily intimidated, and flourish where I feel safe. I'm not a great visionary but admire those who are. I like to fill in the beauty the detail - I like to ponder on the mystery of God as I watch a sunset or cuddle a new born. Perhaps you can empathise? At times I've tried to 'be' what I thought a good Christian was then wondered why it has led to frustration and emptiness. One time I was lamenting my temperament to the Lord and He showed me a couple of things

1. Pressing through timidity, fear and self doubt is part of His plan to develop my character.
2. My weakness is a strength to the body in that I will pick up on the hurt, lost and lonely in a crowd.
3. People like me flesh out the vision of others - cushioning the steel frame with the softness of Christ.

We only have to look at history to see the pendulum of extremes in human values. Perhaps the trend for introverts is on the increase as their contribution to the kingdom is recognised. But the truth is we love and serve a God who values us all and has a job for us in the building of the bride - it doesn't matter if you're on the steel team or soft furnishing just build with all you are to the glory of God. 

Hugs Ruth x