Be Still - Encouragement for Today - January 13, 2017
 |
January 13, 2017 |
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
One after another, choices needing decisions just keep coming.
Home decisions hang in the balance. When can I get this fixed? Who will follow through with the repairs? What will it take to get everything done?
Work decisions weigh on my mind. What are the next steps to take? Am I the only person who can do this? Do I need to bring in more help? How will this timeline come together?
Relationship decisions tug on my heart. Is “yes” the best answer? When can I spend time with them? Should I really be that honest with my thoughts and feelings?
Decision fatigue.
Even as I write these words, my mind feels so very tired of the many decisions that need to be made.
Weary, my heart turns to the only One who has the answers to each and every single decision.
I open to a blank page in my journal to share my tired heart with the Lord.
A prayer seeps from my heart, through my pen and onto the page. Weariness oozes from the ink: Lord, renew my awareness of Your presence. I need a fresh infilling of You in me. I need Your wisdom, for You to do a gentle, peaceful work in me that flows from me. No rushing. No pressure. Just peaceful guidance from You, leading to purposeful obedience from me.
As I pray I realize that in the natural, this pathway of making these decisions alone will not lead to peace. He is peace.
I make the best choice I can choose — turning to His Word to me: “Be still, and know that I am God …” (Psalm 46:10a).
Do you see that comma? It seemed to jump off the page.
A pause.
Be still, …
When I’m still, then I will know. I will know the peace He embodies. He will show me His will. I will know that He is God.
Not When I’m busy, When I’m productive or When I make all the right decisions, but When I’m still.
The word “still” in Hebrew (the original language of the Old Testament) means: to hang limp, sink down, be feeble, to be lazy, to leave alone, abandon, withdraw, to show oneself slack.
Am I reading this right? Could it be that God is endorsing this type of behavior?
Yes, I have read His word correctly.
Be still. Be patient. Be quiet. Be trustful and know. That is where He calls me to go: Pause and find Him. Peace.
Lord, being still, when there is so much to do, seems so wrong. Yet, Your ways are not my ways. Help me to breathe deep, be still and pause to take You in. I want to know that You are God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)
Isaiah 30:15, “For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing.” (NASB)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus, by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk, helps moms take a moment to be still every day.
CONNECT:
On her blog today, Lynn Cowell shares tips on overcoming decision fatigue.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Is decision fatigue something you experience? How often?
Spend some time being still before God today. Present to Him the decisions you need to make. Then ask Him to help you pause before Him, so He can give you the peace and wisdom you need.
© 2017 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
