This series is based on real statements actually heard in risk situations.
#7 "This Too Shall Pass."
A worker is sharing a risk situation with a veteran on the field or supporter back home, not knowing what to do, and receives this response, "This too shall pass." Being on the receiving end of this statement, a "tape" of synonymous thoughts implied by this statement begin playing in my head:
- "I'm making too big of a deal about the risk, threat, danger - whatever it is that is causing my anxiety.
- "I'm being weak, not strong like the other person, because clearly that threat isn't bothering them.
- "I'm reading the situation wrong"
- "I would know this if I had been here as long as him/her.
I've always found Daniel 4:3 to be so inspiring and calming - God's Kingdom will go on forever and ever. It helps me to keep my eyes up to know that one day, all will be made right. But it still doesn't answer the urgent question, the urgent demand, of knowing what to do TODAY.
There are no guarantees that "it shall pass," so it seems a bit condescending and arrogant to suggest that one knows this.
As with all the previous unhelpful statements discussed, a worker needs help in discernment and decision making when they share. Giving a trite statement like this is really self-serving for the individual saying it, and is slothfulness of soul because there is an unwillingness to really help the worker sort through what is the risks, dangers, threats.
Let's be the spiritual mothers and fathers needed by all those serving in dangerous places and graciously and humbly help those trying to work out what it means to persevere in hard situations.
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Unhelpful Things People Say in Risk #6
As much of your advice is to people in risk-event scenarios many will miss the wisdom given here. As Christians we are often asked to pray but given little direction as to how the supplicant feels God is leading. The result is that our prayers for them are often ignorant of God's plan. Sadly, there are situations where a person offers unhelpful comment such as 'this too will pass' and it sometimes stems from an attitude grounded in superiority - but notalways. Nevertheless it is a welcome warning to avoid such platitudes. The advice is golden and should become the ground rules for prayer in any church situation. Thank you Anna.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jamie! You are right that so much of risk discussion is applicable to all Christians!
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