246 Do Not Be Afraid, There are More With Ws Than With Them, A Guided Christian Meditation on 2 Kings 6:14-17

246 Do Not Be Afraid, There are More With Ws Than With Them, A Guided Christian Meditation on 2 Kings 6:14-17

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina:

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

2 Kings 6:14-17
ESV
14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

NABRE
14 he sent there a strong force with horses and chariots. They arrived by night and encircled the city.
15 Early the next morning, when the servant of the man of God arose and went out, he saw the force with its horses and chariots surrounding the city. “Alas!” he said to Elisha. “What shall we do, my lord?”
16 Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid. Our side outnumbers theirs.”
17 Then he prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw that the mountainside was filled with fiery chariots and horses around Elisha.

Meditation on Scripture:

The story of Elisha in the Hebew Bible is fascinating, inspiring, yet also intimidating. It is amazing to see such direct involvement between God and humans. We see here his absolute confidence and awareness of the protection of heaven. As people who attempt to follow God, we are constantly assailed by forces trying to drag us down. Those take many forms. I have had many people write me emails explaining their struggles with grief and other emotions as well there struggles with mental health. I have had many people write me with depression. I have had more than one write me about psychosis where they tell me how the struggle understanding what is reality. Each of us has our own struggle that will help us grow in ways we need.

When Jesus encountered a blind man his disciples asked who sinned to make the man blind. There was a built in assumption that the blindness must have been a curse from God. Jesus dismissed this idea and said it was to show the power of God. Similarly I think we should be cautious to think that people who struggle with mood disorders or mental illness have somehow invited it by sin. Perhaps it is to invite you to learn and grow. Mental health can challenge our expectations of fairness and it should. One in five people has or while have a diagnosable mental health disorder at some point in their life. There is no shame in struggle.

If you are struggling with mental health, know this. Many good people are also. Many people of faith are weighed down by similar weights. The important thing to know is that you are not facing it alone. Those that are with you are far greater than those who oppose you. Adding to that, the God of the universe is on your side. I truly believe that each of us is surrounded by the forces of God to lift us up and help us. I suggest you seek whatever help you need to move through the though times in your life. Be humble and persistent to get the help you need. God loves you. This life with be a blessing for you in the long run if our struggle draws us to God.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:
This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast

Updates:

Final Question: What biases do you have about mental health?

Final Thought: Having served as a hospital Chaplain, I have encountered many people with severe mental health disorders. I have meet more than one person who told me they were God himself. As humans it is hard to respond to things that are outside of our experience. Mental health issues can feel that way. Even more common struggles like bipolar, anxiety, and depression can feel unfamiliar and even uncomfortable if you haven't encountered them before. I can assure you that all people who are working through mental health struggles are children of God. He loves you just as profoundly as anyone else. The heavens are there supporting you even in this moment you are hearing this. God loves you and you can stay strong. Find the help that you need and you can rise up and overcome.

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