“But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning.” Psalm 59:16 CSB
But I will sing of your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
your faithful love in the morning.
For you have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.
(Psalm 59:16 CSB)
STORYTELLING
Besides the regular holidays, most months of the year have special days that are not well known. We know that March holds the first day of spring, but there are many other days of note, like World Day of Prayer, National Write Your Story Day, World Storytelling Day, and World Poetry Day. Our selection of posts for this month’s Oasis of Hope easily fits into one or more of these categories and demonstrates effective ways of storytelling.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF STORYTELLING
Jesus often told stories to bring out certain truths, something we see in the many parables recorded in the Bible. For us, storytelling is a good way to explain our chronic illnesses to others. Metaphor and Allegory are two effective ways of storytelling that share truths without divulging personal information. Storytelling is also a great form of entertainment and often offers hope. Many stories are written as poetry, and some poems become prayers as we speak them to God. Prayer plays a big part in our lives with or without chronic illness. We know we can talk to God, and He will hear us.
BENEFITS OF STORYTELLING
Though our difficulties may be hard to face, we encourage others that they are not alone as we tell our stories. In the telling, we may also find a measure of healing, as it helps us face and think through our problems. We often look back and see how God was with us even in the places where we struggled, and our hope is renewed. He is our stronghold, and in our storytelling, we can proclaim how He has helped us in the good times as well as the hard. Other benefits of storytelling might include making new friends as we share our stories and find common ground.
In this issue of Oasis of Hope, we pray that you are encouraged and find hope in your journeys no matter where you are.
Story Matters
Story is the tale of our lives — and it matters. Chronic illness, mental illness, and chronic pain can be isolating and lonely, but sharing our stories can open a door, extend hope, and sometimes spark a life-giving, life-changing conversation with someone else along the way. We’d love to hear your story.
The Uglies of Chronic Illness
We were told the right side of our baby’s heart was small. They called to schedule an immediate prenatal echocardiogram. I held it together and prayed. I wanted to forget all the uglies of chronic illness, but when I acknowledge these feelings, my perspective shifts and I begin to feel God's presence.
Sudden Peace • Anxious Days on the Edge
What do you do with anxious thoughts? What do they look like? Is there a picture that forms in your mind? Does it have a color? A texture? What song can you sing to anxiety to slow its rhythm? Let yourself be surprised by the sudden peace that comes as you name your fears.
Vocabulary of the Heart – What Poetry Taught Me About Prayer
I believe the very work of writing a prayer as poetry takes us deeper into our hearts, giving a new vocabulary to offer our longings to God.
No Results Found
The posts you requested could not be found. Try changing your module settings or create some new posts.
Worry and Concern • An Allegory
Are you facing an unknown future that might seem fearsome or lonely? The fictional characters, Worry and Concern, explore the difficult, fearful, painful and vulnerable parts of the chronic illness journey.
Recent Comments