Hi, my name is Andrea, and I am a wimp. So many people suffer so much worse than me, with bravery, faith, courage, hardly even seen them cry. Yet a little back pain and I want to rush straight to Heaven. A little pain in the ribs, where a deep breath hurts, and I succumb to tears, let it interfere with my work, keep me from accomplishing everything I should’ve done today.
Whining, grumpy, snappy, all things we should never be. A little pain in the flesh and the fruits we should show–love, peace, joy, kindness, self-control–they seem to evaporate. It shouldn’t be. I should be stronger than this.
Forgive me, God. Forgive me, brothers and sisters. Everyone deserves better from me than what I’ve been today. Lord, help me to endure. Help me not to invert, focused on self and the silly, insignificant hurt of my day. Help me to be there for others who are going through so much worse, to patiently understand, to listen, be there for them. Help me to continue the work you’ve called me to, no matter what.
I pray I’d seek you and walk according to the spirit, not the flesh. Help me to be there for others in need. Show me what you’d have to do. Lead me. Give me the strength to bear up. To not let anything stop me. I am weak, Lord. You are strong. Grant me wisdom, to know to do. Faith, to walk in the way I should, even when it’s dark. Love, to put others first, even when the flesh is weak and hurting yet overpowering my soul. Change me, God. Make me better than this. In Jesus name I pray, amen.