The Peace that Passes All Understanding

Anyone who has ever had a serious medical problem (or had a family member with a serious medical problem) will relate to this post by the "Cheerful Oncologist." It reminded me of the blessing based on Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus:



A brief message to all those who are living with a serious disease:


When you awakened today something was in the room with you. It sat patiently by the window, waiting for you to arise. It dearly wants to harm you. Are you aware of the danger?


If it sees you smile it slaps you in the face, to persuade you that happiness is no longer a part of your life.


If it hears you talking to a friend it poisons your words, to drive away those who love you.


If it finds out you're on the way to the doctor it chokes you, to weaken your spirit at the time it most needs boosting.


If it sees you sitting quietly it drills into your mind, to infect it with foul thoughts.


If you let it into your heart it will slowly corrode it, leaving you wandering alone and frightened.


There is only one defense against this enemy, and that is this: it cannot defeat you by itself. It must feed off of you in order to thrive. Like the parasite it is, it cannot harm those who refuse to nurture it. Fight the urge to give in to its siren song. Fight it hard. Refuse to give it any shelter. Start today, and soon you will be rid of it for the rest of your life, and the rest of your life will be a celebration of, as the poet e.e. cummings said, "everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes."

What is this baneful something that lives to watch you suffer? What is this obstacle to steadfast tranquility that can be defeated by refusing to accept its authority? Click below for the answer, and may you all sleep peacefully tonight - and every night.
It is despair.

Comments

Unknown said…
You cannon fight suffering. Fighting *is* suffering. Opposing suffering through force only brings in suffering of a different kind. Pain feeds on resistance and reactivity.

Simply observe the suffering that is in you. Allow it to be there.. because it *is*. It is, already, as it is. Bring acceptance and observation to your pain. But do not judge it-do not try to force it out.

Slowly you will see that your mental resistance to *what is*, in this very moment, is all that ever kept your pain alive. It will be shown up for the illusion that it was.
September 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM
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