the stress & strains of life choices and a temporary sense of control, but also plans. Foisted or not, our future often proves to be the less satisfying. The third feels uncertain. We question ourselves: method is called the collaborative Did I make right decisions? approach. In this approach, we work What is the way forward? together—in collaboration—with God. What will happen to me? And as one surmise, this is the most What is my future? satisfying approach, producing the Has God heard my prayer? greatest sense of well-being, the greatest We all ask these life questions, no matter satisfaction and spiritual insight**. As we our culture, social standing, age or plan together with God to discern His will circumstances. and path for our lives, we have a wonderful promise. He knows the plans In the stress of living and decision He has for us, local national, expat or making, God speaks words of comfort to exile. Jeremiah which echo down millennia to us; encouraging us to trust for know the “I plans I have for you”. Does this mean we throw up our hands and go and let God”? This is one “let approach. But studies in religious and spiritual coping indicate that this is the least satisfying method, producing the *Oxford English Dictionary, 1988. least productive results. A second **NIV method is the it yourself” approach, “do without prayer, making our decisions **Kenneth I. Pargament, The psychology without spiritual considerations. This may of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice, 1997. give us Our chaplaincy reaches out to God in prayer to hold up the chaplaincy and its members in particular need. We are offer this ministry both in Utrecht and Zwolle. If you have requests for the prayer chain, or if feel called be a part in this ministry of intercession, please contact: Janie Anne Miechielsen McCloughin organizes and organizes and participates in this participates ministry at Holy in this ministry at Trinity in Utrecht: Zwolle Anglican Church:
the stress & strains of life choices and plans. Foisted or not, our future often feels uncertain. We question ourselves: Did I make right decisions? What is the way forward? What will happen to me? What is my future? Has God heard my prayer? We all ask these life questions, no matter our culture, social standing, age or circumstances. In the stress of living and decision making, God speaks words of comfort to Jeremiah which echo down millennia to us; encouraging us to trust for “I know the plans I have for you”. Does this mean we throw up our hands and “let go and let God”? This is one approach. But studies in religious and spiritual coping indicate that this is the least satisfying method, producing the least productive results. A second method is the “do it yourself” approach, without prayer, making our decisions without spiritual considerations. This may give us a temporary sense of control, but also proves to be the less satisfying. The third method is called the collaborative approach. In this approach, we work together—in collaboration—with God. And as one surmise, this is the most satisfying approach, producing the greatest sense of well-being, the greatest satisfaction and spiritual insight**. As we plan together with God to discern His will and path for our lives, we have a wonderful promise. He knows the plans He has for us, local national, expat or exile. *Oxford English Dictionary, 1988. **NIV **Kenneth I. Pargament, The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice, 1997. Our chaplaincy reaches out to God in prayer to hold up the chaplaincy and its members in particular need. We are offer this ministry both in Utrecht and Zwolle. If you have requests for the prayer chain, or if feel called be a part in this ministry of intercession, please contact: Anne Miechielsen organizes and participates in this ministry at Holy Trinity in Utrecht: Janie McCloughin organizes and participates in this ministry at Zwolle Anglican Church:
Newsletter-2016-11.docx