Four P's have come to me as to what I must do to persevere through this time--pray, produce, push through, and promise. First, I need to Pray. I need to submit every thought to prayer, and pray every prayer with open hands to let go of my control and be open to receive manna and grace for the day. Secondly, I need to Produce. This means I need to do something...something that occupies my mind and focuses out. I can focus out by simply taking on a painting or cleaning project to clear my mind. Or I can use my feelings to remind me of someone else's challenges and check in on them. Next is Push through. Feel? yes, but I can't stay there; I need to keep moving. Reaching out to friends for prayer quenches the feeling of being alone, and two or three gathered in prayer brings Jesus' calming presence (Matthew 18:20). I also gain strength to push through by listening to inspiring music. Recently Hannah Kerr's song entitled "Warrior" has bolstered my resolve and determination to push through. It reminds me that I need to be alert and ready to do battle because the enemy is on the prowl, seeking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The final "P" is Promise. The promise of heaven is before me and provides prospective. And the promises of scripture uphold me. Just this week a friend reminded me of the promise in Galatians 6:9 and emphasized the "if statement" at the end, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
The idea of persevering with these 4 P's-- pray, produce, push through, and promise-- takes me back to the powerful lyrics of "Warrior"
The song begins with "Staring down the face of fear"
...moves toward hope, "in the dark there is a light"
...grows in determination, "You'll never stop me I'm a warrior"
...acknowledges the challenge, "When I fall down I get stronger"
...reminds us of our defense, "Faith is my shield and His love is the armor"
...redeems the pain, "Every scar on my skin/Is a beautiful reminder/ Of a moment when I didn't give in/And I walked through fire
...reasserts who we are by repeating, "I'm a warrior "
...And ends with the role of our will, "I will keep the hope alive/I will find the strength inside
It's worth "a listen": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQpKSpgrwQE