Far more than we ever could through our joys, successes, and strengths, we bind more deeply with God when we call out for help, with our needs and weakness, our unfulfilled hopes and dreams, and through our anxieties and problems.
Renaming our anxieties transforms them into requests. What used to dampen our spirit can be collected in vessels of offerings. When we are faced with anxiety, we can, instead, hold the word “help” before God. Once we feel that our mind has dropped out of the frantic zone and into a spirit of connection with God, the word “help” condenses anxiety into a basket of requests.
Revealing our feeling is the beginning of healing. Whether we’re dealing with anxieties, wounds, disappointments, or other needs or struggles, there is enormous power in simple, strong words; words by which we rename and translate them into a request to God. Help is the door into this vital practice of petition, through which we expand beyond our own capacities and resources to God’s.
Through this practice of expansion and petition, we discover the sacred connection, which can grow stronger through our anxieties, wounds, disappointments, struggles, and needs. We do not have to earn anything, deserve anything, achieve anything, or merit anything to bring our needs to God. He wants us to simply come as we are.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
