SPIRITUAL RECOVERY: THE CASE FOR IMAGE-ING (Post 165)
APRIL 15, 2024
When anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach me.
- Rene Descartes
Yesterday, at the tail-end of Sunday School class, we were invited – challenged positively - to respond with our hearts and souls to a person who is upsetting us: e.g., next time a driver cuts in front of you, etc. In other words, see him/her (or at least, the situation) with the eyes of grace (God’s love). I am paraphrasing, but you get the idea. We were called to image a blessing upon the offender rather than a curse. Moreover, we can thank God for saving us from a would-be accident … and we can see our real-time presence minus a possible tragedy that could have happened!
With the topic of image-ing, April’s GRM Blog discussion can dive into two divergent directions … and then, quite possibly, reunite. I’ll try it both ways for the sake of our 12-part series’ overarching focus: Spiritual Healing.
I always prefer to believe the best of everybody; it saves so much time.
- Rudyard Kipling
First, and this one will be brief as it is obvious, is the theoretical perspective. Projecting an ugly, unkind image onto another person, place, happening, thing, or even one’s self basically gives our minds yet one more negative thought. To be sure, there are actions and situations that do not, at all, merit positive images. In themselves, those cannot be justified – and should not be. Rather, I am referring to unkind labeling without knowledge and/or understanding. Thus the mind stays limited with no desire to learn … except, potentially, to descend into more negativity. As author Louie Giglio would repeat to us, we hear the title of his book: Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table.
Second, the admonition to image with our hearts and souls has a practical side when it comes to prayer. Sometimes, my prayer life becomes weighed down with wording, especially when the question of specificity arises. Easily, I get tangled up in exactitude: should I ask for a cure? a miracle? a healing? only comfort? What a dilemma!
For sure, not everything about prayer is humanly understandable. Sometimes, it becomes quite apparent to ask the Divine how we should direct our prayers. In reply, images may come to mind. Pay attention!
Many years ago, a dear friend’s teenage son came down with leukemia – and his prognosis was unmistakably dire. I was much more than concerned … very fearful and panic stricken was a steady and better description of my thoughts. What should I ask for in prayer? Of course, all of us wanted – and prayed for - a miracle of healing.
Then the images began to come: Jesus by the boy’s bedside; blood counts responding in healing directions, etc. Yet the one image that appeared, over and over, in my mind’s eye and soul was that of the teen and Jesus riding on a bicycle built for two. Jesus, in a flowing white gown, was on the back seat and they were having a great time, riding fast and smiling. Okay, I’m sure some of you are thinking, Janet, now you’ve gone too far with this one! Still, I challenge: what did that image do for my prayer life in this instance? It kept me positive; I perceived more than wellness; word struggles did not impede my praying. The good news, more than 40 plus years later? The grown-up teen now is helping his parents as they experience health issues in their senior years.
Here then are 6 practical perspectives about Prayer Image-ing:
** state the person(s) and situation; and pray for images that are pertinent to the concern
** there may be multiple images accompanying the concern; some or one may be apparent more often
** the image may include the person(s) of concern, or not
** the image may be of a word, phrase, or sentence(s)
** the image may include action being taken
** the image may be of a particular setting(s)
** the image may include the healing of harmful memories
The following is a very true and affirming example of how an image in prayer encouraged me during my early days of ministry.
As a wet-behind-the-ears pastor, I prayed that any spiritual advice I might give to a person seeking help would be sound and useful. Sure enough, an individual came to me one day with problems to share, asking for suggestions. I listened and prayed silently for ways to respond. It wasn’t an easy situation. I had read years before of a way to avoid overthinking of disturbing circumstances: say Stop! each time such thoughts surface. I suggested this – though very basic, I hoped it would help.
During the week as I prayed for the person, the image of a typical STOP sign suddenly appeared. I then added this image as I prayed for the individual. We did not talk during that time but when we met the following week I was immediately greeted with the joyful news of how the image of a STOP sign had appeared in prayer … and had “stopped” the negative memories! How affirming for BOTH of us!
May you be blessed with images that are healing, affirming, encouraging, strengthening, calming, and peaceful as you pray for others and yourself!
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
855-926-0761
For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:
From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:
https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients (Online therapy preparation for clients)
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to:
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.masscompulsivegambling.org