The Worrier and the Warrior

One morning in the clinic, I saw a 61 year old patient who'd gained 25 pounds this last year, and told of the stress in her life.  Very tough things like lately widowed, living alone, and working hard to make it.  But the mild insomnia which she'd always had was much, much worse, and now she gets up and goes to the refrigerator, or the pantry.  Just a little snack.  Every night for 365 days.  Twice she said, "I find myself thinking, 'It's 3 AM, and there is nobody having this problem but me.  Nobody is awake but me.' " 

That afternoon one of my 93 year old patients came in saying, "I knew my blood pressure'd be up because I did not sleep a wink last night.  Not one wink! This has never happened to me before!  What do I do, Doctor?"


The first gal is a lifelong worrier, the second is an alarmed prayer warrior.  They are both dear women, and insomnia is never a simple problem or else nobody would ever have it for long.   But these women do differ in one thing and that is how quickly they resort to prayer.  

Prayer is our way of letting God have the data.  

Prayer is our way of letting up on how we cling to distressing circumstances. 
Prayer is our way of getting hold of God, and not the answer.
Prayer is our way of letting God have us.


I spoke to both about what I've come to call "Lord's Prayer breathing" and guess which one called me back the next morning after the visit.  I'm sure you guessed it ... the one accustomed to praying much, praying often, and praying quickly.  The one who'd said, "I'm 93, so don't do any of those medical tests on me!"  She told my receptionist, "Tell that doctor that I slept all night!"

I haven't heard back from my other patient yet, but I hope to soon.  And especially because I can relate to her so well having been a worrier for too long myself.

What is "Lord's Prayer breathing"  Go here Lord's Prayer breathing