“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
What a beautiful verse. It sounds so simple, and yet it is not. At least not for me.
Sometimes I find it difficult to quiet my mind. Anxiety presses in and I let daily stresses and worries take over my thoughts. Sometimes I just let busyness get in the way—too much to do, or too many things to think about. Even while I am sitting here trying to write this post, my thoughts are jumping around and I am struggling to find focus.
I know that God is in control. And I know that He has always provided me with what I need. He has blessed me abundantly, and yet I continue to worry. When I feel anxious, I often distract myself with busyness, TV, books, music, etc., instead of quieting my mind and soul, and handing my worries over to God. When anxiety closes in, I need to be still and trust God.
I know that if I am doing what God has called me to do, there will be time enough to do it. And I know if I use His priority list, instead of mine, I won’t be too busy. The things I need to accomplish will get done. The things that can wait, will wait. And the things that I don’t need to do at all, can be crossed off my list. When my body and mind are running in circles, I need to be still and focus on God.
I know that if I begin each day by spending quiet time with God, my stresses and worries will be fewer. I will be better equipped to face any challenges that come my way. And yet, I rarely do that. I am not a morning person, so I use that as an excuse to set my alarm a little later—leaving me just enough time to get ready for work, or church, or wherever I may be going. When I am preparing for my day, I need to be still and seek God’s guidance.
Don’t misunderstand me. I do spend time in prayer, and I do take time to be still. I just don’t do so as often as I should. It’s not always my initial reaction. I want to get to the place where my first response to worry, stress, anxiety, and excessive busyness is to stop, quiet my thoughts, and allow God to take control. I need to find a place and time, free from distraction, where I can read the Bible, spend time in prayer, and sit quietly in the presence of God. I need to do this everyday. I want my life to show that I can be still and know that He is God.
How about you? Is this something you struggle with also?