Keep Calm and Pray On
As you all know by now, I am expecting…great things from God.
In my first and only birthing class over 12 years ago, I learned that I should not let my emotions get the best of me when the pain from the contractions during delivery came. It was recommended that I use a breathing pattern to help to keep me calm through the contractions. I did not understand why there was such a strong emphasis on staying focused and breathing until that faithful December morning over 11 years ago. I had NEVER felt pain like that before, it was unreal. The temptation was there to scream and totally lose it but I REMEMBERED! I made up my own unorthodox breathing pattern when the excruciating pain from the contractions overwhelmed me. The” breathing instead of screaming like a mad woman” approach did not cause the pain to go away but it helped to put me in a zone. I knew that there was no going back, the baby had to be delivered. The pain was a part of the package for life to come. THE. PAIN. WAS. A. PART. OF. THE. PACKAGE. FOR. LIFE. TO. COME. And so it is with life…
Tyrone and I holding our first baby Naomi in 2003. Our 2nd day as parents, if we only knew what was ahead.
Naomi meeting Joel for the first time in 2005.
Naomi and Joel meeting their new sister Hannah in 2007.
The older three hanging out with their new baby brother Elijah back in 2009.
The older 4 with baby Isaiah in 2011
The older five with our caboose, Faith Serenity in 2013
Many of my revelations come from my experiences as a wife and mother.
God reveals so much to me in what may appear to be mundane. But in my barefoot and pregnant, wiping noses, potty training, nursing, “I said no for the 10th time,” “what do you want for dinner” seasons of life I have come to get a greater revelation of Jesus. Making the mundane magnificent. In life Jesus is teaching me not to get distracted by pain. He is teaching me to keep calm and pray on.
The pain of waiting for an answer to prayer can cause you to lose it.
The pain of uncertainty and the realization that control is an illusion can cause you to lose it.
The pain from a negative diagnosis from the doctor can cause you to lose it.
The pain from too little money and too many bills can cause you to lose it.
The pain from lost dreams and disappointments can cause you to lose it.
The pain of life is inevitable. If you are not careful, you can be distracted by the pain. You can forget that you are in labor and though the pain is great, something beautiful awaits you on the other end. Do not get stuck in the middle of delivery and lose what God has promised. Screaming and letting your emotions get the best of you can prove to be detrimental. Today I encourage you to refocus, breathe in the goodness of God, and stand on His promises. Get in a zone and keep calm and pray on! Prayer indeed birth great things!
“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 NLT
About the Author
Anika Jones
Anika Jones is a speaker and author of the book Lessons Learned Along The Way: A 40 Day Devotional. She blogs about faith and family at LivingForLater.com and posts weekly videos on her YouTube channels, Living For Later (@livingforlater) and Living Life Now (@livinglifenow). Anika loves speaking about developing intimacy with God and understanding who we are in Christ. She serves alongside her husband in ministry. They live in Illinois with their 6 children.