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MEDITATIONS by Carol Dean Henn

Monday, October 30, 2017

10/30/2017

 
Do not fear or be dismayed!         
                                           
Joshua 8:1

         A friend of mine has received terrible news about her medical problem.  I want to tell her “do not fear or be dismayed,” but it feels as though I’d be saying those words into a raging hurricane.  The winds would whip them away as soon as I said them.  When bad news comes, or our lives fall apart in some way, it does, indeed, feel as if a storm surrounds us, and all the advice to ‘not worry’ is too flimsy to stand up to those squalls.  What I can tell my friend is that fear is natural.  
            It’s a healthy reaction to soul-shattering news.  But once fear 
has told us ‘this is serious,’ we have a choice.  We can focus on and embrace the fear, which is a way focusing on the negative and of sapping the strength we’ll need for the days ahead, or we can decide to not fear or be dismayed; to cast our lot with the God of hope and healing, of mornings and miracles.  I hope my friend chooses to not fear or be dismayed.

©Carol Dean Henn, 2017

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    Carol Dean Henn of St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA

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  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • History
    • Staff & Council
    • Bios
    • Life Events >
      • Wedding Policy
      • Funeral Policy
    • Get Involved
  • Worship
    • What to Expect
    • Sermons
    • Music
  • News
    • Council Mtg Highlights
  • Fellowship
    • Women of the ELCA
    • Labyrinth
    • Sunday School
    • Adult Sunday School
    • Bible Study
  • Committees
  • St. John's Cares
    • MA's Pantry
    • St. Afterschool
    • Lutheran World Relief
    • Meals on Wheels
    • Counseling Center
    • Community Meetings
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Forms
  • 2019 CAT Summary