Recently I found myself in the emergency department due to some symptoms that I was having with my eyes. I had been to an urgent care clinic earlier in the day and the NP that I had seen felt enough concern to say, “I think you should really get that checked out…”
After waiting numerous hours in the ED, a young doctor in the emergency room examined me for about 2 minutes and said, “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. It’s likely viral. Just keep following what they told you to do.” She finished with the words, “trust the process.”
I was beside myself. Trust WHAT process, I thought. Trust you (who barely even examined me)? Trust the medical system? Part of me wanted to shout, “Is it the vision in YOUR eyes that will be lost?” Instead, I paused and tried to breathe…
I wanted resolution to this situation. I wanted reassurance. I wanted answers.
And I was not going to get them at that time.
I thought about how many times in the spiritual life we are invited to “trust the process” that we are in. We’re trying to do what we can to get through, but we don’t see the results we’re looking for. We don’t get the reassurance.
God, like the doctor who quickly examined me, may seem only vaguely concerned with what we’re going through. I think about the story from the gospels where Jesus is asleep on the boat in the midst of a storm (the story appears in Mark 4 as well as Matthew 8). The disciples are afraid and very concerned about their situation as Jesus snoozes on a pillow.
We’re all in the midst of a bunch of processes these days. Some we might trust fully. Some we don’t trust at all. Some we can release easily. Others we get stuck in. Sometimes we get reassurance, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we resist (and should resist the process!), sometimes we resist (and shouldn’t!).
And this is where I would invite us to pause today.
What processes are you trying to trust these days?
What is making you anxious or worried that you hope is resolved well?
Are you asking people to trust you and/or a process right now? What might that be like for them?
What do you do (practices) in order to try and stay centered through it all? Is there something you rely on from your faith, spiritual practice or ancestral tradition that helps you get through?
How do you experience God in the midst of it?
After the storm subsides in the gospels, Jesus re-engages the disciples and asks them about their fears. In the end, he reassures them that he was there with them in the midst of it all – even when it did not seem so.
Imagine Jesus doing that with you now – sitting down with you and asking what it is that you are afraid of in the midst of these processes. Now imagine him offering you some form of reassurance – a word, a phrase or a feeling – that you need right now. Know that you are not alone. Hold on to this for today.
15 Comments
Mary Alice Moore
WOW! You have given us a lot to ‘process’ today! Amazing!
Tom Coyle
Bless you and thanks Mike ! Our family ( like so many ) is dealing with cancer with our brother Tim ! It is on our minds and hearts every day ! We are trying to trust the process .
I will be forwarding this blessed email to a friend who is struggling ! ❤️. Tom & Janet Coyle , Spiritus Florida .
Fran Cardella
Thank you Michael for the reminder of Mark 4 and Matthew 8. I wonder what Jesus really expected of the apostles. Did Jesus expect greater faith? It seems so. But he didn’t wait for their faith to get stronger before rebuking and silencing the storm. I couldn’t help to reflect on that.
It is very hopeful for me to know that Jesus is willing to act in my behalf even if I still find difficulty fully “trusting the process”. Thank you for the challenge to reflect on a conversation with Jesus about what is on my mind. Thank you for the kind reminder that I am not alone.
Claire Benesch
Sometimes I think you are writing just for me, Mike. I guess that is pretty egocentric but I feel that today. I have recently received a serious diagnosis and am going through more tests. And then I wait, wait, wait for the results. The medical process is so slow and I feel alone. Thank you for the reminder that I am not alone! I think back to your homily where you compared God to a sloth. The medical process is also like a sloth.
Jane Ellen Bleeg
Be sure to let us know how your eyes are! And sometimes i like ‘trust and verify”.
Betty Fedorjaka
I needed this 🙏
Stephen T Tedesco
We more often are more interested in the results not the process. We want a tangible, measurable, concrete product. We want immediate results and are not patient enough to work through the process. That is why people on diets or exercise regimens usually fail. Jesus had immense patients and trusted the God’s process. The disciples and us have a lot to learn.
Stacy Beard
Thank you. This was very touching. I needed this.
Sue Staropoli
Thanks, Mike. This is such a great reminder of applying our faith (trust the process) to every practical situation that comes up in our lives! Glad you’re feeling better.
Barbara Lantiegne
Wonderful piece, Michael. I really needed to hear it and have shared it with several people.
Dominick Annese
Thank you Mike. I am dealing with some stressful stuff and this was helpful.
Mary Sweeney
Thank you for sharing such a powerful message today, Mike. I hope your eyes have healed. Trusting the process can be very difficult, especially when it deals with the medical system. We’re anticipating the results of an upcoming PET scan re: cancer growth and treatment recs., so it’s perfect timing for your reflection. Blessings to you and Lynne and family.
Carol Lee
Thank you Mike….your words always inspire me to more. And speaking of more……will you be posting daily lenten reflections…please!
Sue Spoonhower
Yes, thank you,Mike. Very authentic reflection. I like the real life example and the connection to Jesus and his disciples’ experience.
And I second the request for your Lenten reflections!
Mary Anne
Trust the process…how so many times, we want the answer now, we don’t want to wait. Hurry up.. I find the older I become, it is easier for me to trust the process..thank you Mike
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