Feb 2, 2020

202 Do Not Fear What They Fear a Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Peter 3:13-15

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 change d 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:

1 Peter 3

NRSV
3 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

NABRE
13 Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,

Meditation on Scripture:

Do you fear the world? How much do you stress? Do you fear an evil influence in the world or in your life? What about stress over other things in your life. Do you fear about money or relationships? Chances are if you are listening to this then you spend a lot of time thinking about or combatting against stress. Stress can feel debilitating. As part of my work I follow the research on stress and how it impacts us as humans. I was participating in a multi day training on trauma and PTS this week. Some of the most important and compelling research about stress that I have seen is summarized in in a TED talk called “How to Make Stress Your Friend.” By Kelly McGonigal

Although she does indicate that stress can lead to negative health outcomes however, this effect is entirely stopped for people who think that stress is good for them. Let me say that another way. If you believe stress has a positive roll in your life then it does not have the negative health effects in your life. I feel that this touches the same concept represented here. Wether we are talking about stress or suffering for Christ, the truth is that we can use our brain to change the way we perceive this. We can learn to rejoice that the Faithfulness of Jesus and that our faith in God is strong enough to get us over hardship just as we can trust that our physical stress responses in life can lift our focus and attention to help us rise to the challenges of life. If we do this we can feel the paradoxical peace of courage.

As an example I preached in front of a new church. As I was getting ready to stand up, my heart began to race at the prospect of public speaking I embrace that as a blessing from God to help me hone my focus. We can literally reinterpret suffering and stress in our lives as signs of greater purpose and function. God can help us find more peace by helping our hearts be courageous.

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:
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Updates:

Final Question: What message is written on the tables of your heart?

Final Thought: The irony of our defense of God is that is referenced here is that it does not require a fearful heart. Our response to any challenge can be an opportunity to life as Jesus did. Remember this as you feel stress. Stress is your body’s response to challenge that helps you rise to the ocassion. I have found that as I learn to not fear my stress response that it is oddly less stressful and fear inducing. Our faith in God can help us come to realize God will lift your heart as you embrace and trust in God’s ability to help you overcome the fear in your heart that harms your ability to overcome.

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