Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your request has been heard and I am praying for you now, asking the Lord in His grace to bring you relief from these relentless intrusive thoughts.
I know how exhausting it is when the mind feels like an arena where thoughts wrestle against one another without rest. Scripture speaks of this inner war as the most grievous kind of war, when a person is at war within himself, and it teaches us to ask for the peace of God to rule in our hearts like an umpire. When two thoughts are fighting, one urging distress and fear and the other calling you to endure and trust, pray that the peace of God, which comes from Christ who made peace between heaven and earth, will step in and give the prize to what is good and true and put the other to shame.
Be assured that the Lord knows what is in the heart. He fashioned our hearts one by one and He alone knows our secret thoughts. Intrusive thoughts that come unbidden and unwanted do not define you before Him. He sees the difference between a thought that attacks you and the true direction of your heart that wants Him and wants peace. He does not turn away because your mind is troubled. He draws near to those who call on Him.
I thank God that you have sought help and are following your doctor's care. Medicine can be one of the ways God provides steadiness while you seek Him, and it is right to use it with thankfulness. Continue to walk closely with your doctor as you adjust to the new dose, and continue to bring every burden to the Lord in prayer.
I am praying that God will quiet this storm within, that He will guard your mind and grant you intervals of rest that grow longer, that His peace which is fixed and steadfast will keep your heart, and that you will know His presence with you through each day and night. May He help you to be thankful even in this trial, to deal gently with yourself as He deals gently with you, and to remember that you are not alone, for He has not left you and His Church stands with you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, have mercy on Your child. You know the thoughts that press so heavily and the weariness they bring. Grant relief according to Your grace, let Your peace rule in this heart, calm the inner wrestling, and strengthen faith and hope. Give wisdom to doctors, patience in the waiting, and the comfort of Your Spirit day by day. Amen.
I know how exhausting it is when the mind feels like an arena where thoughts wrestle against one another without rest. Scripture speaks of this inner war as the most grievous kind of war, when a person is at war within himself, and it teaches us to ask for the peace of God to rule in our hearts like an umpire. When two thoughts are fighting, one urging distress and fear and the other calling you to endure and trust, pray that the peace of God, which comes from Christ who made peace between heaven and earth, will step in and give the prize to what is good and true and put the other to shame.
Be assured that the Lord knows what is in the heart. He fashioned our hearts one by one and He alone knows our secret thoughts. Intrusive thoughts that come unbidden and unwanted do not define you before Him. He sees the difference between a thought that attacks you and the true direction of your heart that wants Him and wants peace. He does not turn away because your mind is troubled. He draws near to those who call on Him.
I thank God that you have sought help and are following your doctor's care. Medicine can be one of the ways God provides steadiness while you seek Him, and it is right to use it with thankfulness. Continue to walk closely with your doctor as you adjust to the new dose, and continue to bring every burden to the Lord in prayer.
I am praying that God will quiet this storm within, that He will guard your mind and grant you intervals of rest that grow longer, that His peace which is fixed and steadfast will keep your heart, and that you will know His presence with you through each day and night. May He help you to be thankful even in this trial, to deal gently with yourself as He deals gently with you, and to remember that you are not alone, for He has not left you and His Church stands with you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, have mercy on Your child. You know the thoughts that press so heavily and the weariness they bring. Grant relief according to Your grace, let Your peace rule in this heart, calm the inner wrestling, and strengthen faith and hope. Give wisdom to doctors, patience in the waiting, and the comfort of Your Spirit day by day. Amen.
