Being Human 5/13/2022
Being Human 5/13/2022
When Life Throws You Curveballs
by Chris Goldman, Pastor
When Life Throws You Curveballs
by Chris Goldman, Pastor
"A fortune awaits those who seek peace." Psalm 37:37
The last two weeks have presented personal challenges as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of my trip to Pepperdine University and triggered a severe case of Bell's Palsy. It's been an unsettling couple of weeks...an un-peaceful time. My primary form of work is speaking and my primary tool for research is my computer. With my speech and sight immediately impacted, it would be easy for depression and despair to creep in. However, my spirits are high, my faith is strong, and utilizing this recovery time can provide a season of reflection and growth. And I believe there truly is a fortune awaiting if I seek shalom rather than allow anxiety to take root.
For NWChurch it means you will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of voices for the next several weeks including Ann McMurray, Dan Rice, Barrett Knox, the Student Ministry, and Peter Macharia. For me it means re-learning how to eat, drink, and speak. I'll be with you each week introducing our speakers and leading communion. This provides me time to adjust to these changes while – hopefully – the condition begins to ease.
Reflecting on this personally, I have had some moments of fear and doubt. Not about faith or the support of the NWChurch, but fear of what a lengthy recovery – or lack of recovery – might mean. After all, my calling is one to preach and teach the truth of Scripture. Here are the issues I'm dealing with:
How are we to respond when we face challenges? When our humanity reminds us of our mortality? Here is my approach and perhaps this can be of encouragement to some.
On this last point, we often think of seeking peace only in the context of relationship with others. But we also have a relationship with anxiety, depression, despair, weakness, lack of confidence. Seeking peace spiritually (internally) is key during these moments. As I struggle to eat and speak, I'm acutely aware of how I take these basic functions for granted. As I face the challenge, I read and write down these words every morning, "A fortune awaits those who seek peace."
Go in grace and go in peace as God provides, shelters, protects, and heals. ~ Chris Goldman, Pastor
The last two weeks have presented personal challenges as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of my trip to Pepperdine University and triggered a severe case of Bell's Palsy. It's been an unsettling couple of weeks...an un-peaceful time. My primary form of work is speaking and my primary tool for research is my computer. With my speech and sight immediately impacted, it would be easy for depression and despair to creep in. However, my spirits are high, my faith is strong, and utilizing this recovery time can provide a season of reflection and growth. And I believe there truly is a fortune awaiting if I seek shalom rather than allow anxiety to take root.
For NWChurch it means you will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of voices for the next several weeks including Ann McMurray, Dan Rice, Barrett Knox, the Student Ministry, and Peter Macharia. For me it means re-learning how to eat, drink, and speak. I'll be with you each week introducing our speakers and leading communion. This provides me time to adjust to these changes while – hopefully – the condition begins to ease.
Reflecting on this personally, I have had some moments of fear and doubt. Not about faith or the support of the NWChurch, but fear of what a lengthy recovery – or lack of recovery – might mean. After all, my calling is one to preach and teach the truth of Scripture. Here are the issues I'm dealing with:
- Significant drooping of the right side of my face.
- Loss of feeling and taste (tongue).
- Inability to close my right eye.
- Inability to eat and drink normally.
- Speech challenges.
- Eyesight issues (light sensitivity and screen related discomfort/pain).
- Begin by reinvesting in good daily practices
- of reflection, reading, exercise, and activity. It's important to allow the structure to provide a level of normalcy when life is abnormal. This includes extra time invested in praying to God, listening to the Spirit, meditating on the word, and staying physically active when possible.
- Reinvest the time towards other aspects of life that may have been neglected. For example, I've wanted to set up a podcast for those wanting to listen to the messages without the full-video experience of NW Worship. This is a good time to tackle that project.
- Allow God to mold and shape you in new ways. I'm definitely getting a very small taste of what it feels like to suffer from physical setbacks I've avoided most of my life.
- Don't give in to despair or desperation. There is, after all, a fortune awaiting those who seek peace.
On this last point, we often think of seeking peace only in the context of relationship with others. But we also have a relationship with anxiety, depression, despair, weakness, lack of confidence. Seeking peace spiritually (internally) is key during these moments. As I struggle to eat and speak, I'm acutely aware of how I take these basic functions for granted. As I face the challenge, I read and write down these words every morning, "A fortune awaits those who seek peace."
Go in grace and go in peace as God provides, shelters, protects, and heals. ~ Chris Goldman, Pastor
Posted in Lead Pastor