Thought for the Week
To you who are in emotional travail
who long for healing now
right here where you are
I want to say
healing awaits
because it does
But it is not here
It is in a place to which you must travel
Why? you ask
Why can I not be healed here and now?
Because this place is the cause of your affliction
Therefore you must leave and take nothing with you
If you listen you will be led
and the One who leads you will offer succor along the way
That One will not, cannot, take away your travail
But when you arrive, no
even before you arrive,
the moment you see your destination
you will know that the person who left
no longer exists
and that the person who has arrived
is the destination
Ω
What is this? For years I suffered anxiety, so much so that I considered anxiety my defining trait. I prayed—begged—for God to take it away. And when he didn’t, I bitterly asked why he couldn’t do just this one small thing for me. But in the end, when the anxiety finally ceased, I realized that it had not changed, I had, and that that was why I was healed. God did not want less for me, he wanted more. Much more.
And he still does.
Mitch Teemley 
Thank you, Mitch, I needed these words today.
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Thanks Mitch? A message to me after our brief exchange yesterday? My anxiety is a fairly new phenomenon, beginning in the early days of the pandemic. I have a note to self pinned to my writing desk: If God got you to it, God will get you through it.
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And indeed he will, Gail.
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So, so beautiful Mitch, the poem and the prose.
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Thank you, Deborah.
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This is very good, Mitch. I’ve certainly been guilty of praying “just take it away from me, God!” It’s been hard to then not have Him do it, because the thing I was asking for really was a right and good thing. But as you suggest, just because what I want is good, doesn’t mean it can be done where I am right now.
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Exactly, Abe. It’s one thing to understand it and quite another to live through it. I wrote an earlier version of this post five years ago, and the first person to respond–with a strong “yes!”–was a two-decades-long quadriplegic man named Bill. He was a living saint and a hero to many, including me, who had a remarkable grasp on why God had let him take this journey, but that didn’t keep him from wrestling profoundly with it.
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I appreciate the perspective you’ve expressed here.
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Mitch.
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Great message, Mitch.
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Thank you, Nancy.
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Love this!
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Thank you.
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So appreciate your wisdom here, Mitch. Looking back on a difficult chapter in my life, I can see why God waited to relieve me, just as you say here. I had some growing to do in my reliance upon him, in practicing his presence, and in giving thanks in all things. God did indeed want more for me: more of the abundant life!
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And the result shows in you, Nancy.
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Thank you, Mitch, and praise God for his continued work in me!
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This makes so much sense, Mitch, but I understand why the idea hasn’t gone viral. Humans (this one too) usually seek the path of least resistance. “Keep bearing your burdens and they’ll make you stronger,” sounds like something a Marine Corps drill instructor would say.
You’re right though, brother. I’ve grown by facing, surviving, and eventually thriving in difficult circumstances. And I’m a new and improved version of myself because if it. Sadly, once or twice I’ve refused the “hammer and anvil” experience. I wonder what would’ve happened?
Anyway, great thoughts. Thank you!
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Thanks back, David. You’ve clearly given this more than a little thought.
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Wise and encouraging words Mitch. The fruits of your days goneby are so valuable to those now in the struggle. Thank you.
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My privilege, Lisa, and glad those days can bear such fruit.
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Truly something to think about and reflect on. As a believer, I have prayed regularly for someone to help me find some relief from my painful arthritis and stenosis. Lord knows, I’m trying to help myself. It’s a difficult journey and I can’t help but ask “Why me?” But I manage and I try to remember to be thankful. Things could always be worse! Thanks for an insightful post, Mitch.
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My pleasure, Nancy. Praying.
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Thanks, Mitch. 🙏🏼
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Amen, Mitch. We are no longer who we used to be. Thank the Lord! God bless!
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You too, dear friend.
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Beautiful…definitely words I needed to hear. As my world crashed and I find myself wanting to crawl back to comfort…but the only thing left is what seems to be dry land. God bless all who need courage to move forward from difficult places. Thank you for the positives of anxiety that help us to move when there’s a “fire” in our lives!
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So glad this spoke to you, Laura, and thank you for your thoughtful response.
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WOW – so good – so important – The ending hit my heart: “…the person who left
no longer exists and that the person who has arrived is the destination.” Yes – I needed to be reminded of that! Thank you, Mitch!
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My privilege (I’m afraid I don’t know your name).
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Recognizing we need to change and doing so is really hard work. Thank you for the reminder it is always worth it and God always wants more for us.
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It always is, and He does indeed, Dana.
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Mitch, I just read the other day that “comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has.” Your comment on anxiety made me think of that, as you came out of that experience better for having dealt with it.
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I did, Bruce, but, oh, how hard it was to, as James 1:2 says, “count it all joy!”
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Happy, very happy, for your healing! Reinforces what He’s been showing me. Thank you for this!
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My privilege, Peach!
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Mitch, This really spoke to me. So much wisdom here – thank you for sharing your experience. I have dealt with sleep issues for years, and I’m ready to leave the old me behind. If we listen, like you said, God is drawing us closer to dependence on him in our weaknesses. We always want the easy, fast way out, but if he gave us that, we’d miss learning who He is. I want to one day say what Bill did in a interview: “If giving up everything I’ve learned about his goodness and grace over the last 20 years was the price for that healing, I would never consider it.” Bill’s healing wasn’t physical, but all other aspects of his character/Spirit were transformed. I watched it with my own eyes as he became “a man after God’s own heart”. I hope you and Trudy are doing well.
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Oh, Mary, I’m so glad you added your thoughts here. You, just as Bill did (and still does), have so much wisdom to share. Praying for your sleep issues.
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