Be still? From what you may ask. Do you find it easy or hard to stop thinking or doing stuff? Like most of you, l often think and try to plan things out! l always find myself asking, what if?
Now, with the fallout of the 2020 pandemic, its spill over into 2021, and new variants arriving in 2022, there’s a sense of urgency across the world. Covid is a collective experience. Whether it’s mental, physical or spiritual, we are all suffering the effects of Covid. The disruptions to work, school, and travel have caused us a huge amount of stress. This isn’t the desired way to start our year, surely. But as science shows, taking even short breaks can allow us to lower our stress. As for me, there’s a lot going in my head—a war of thoughts, emotions, what needs to be done and what still remains unresolved. Right in the middle of it, God calls out: "Stop! Realize that I am God! I am above the nations” (that is, above everything- Psalm 46:10). God’s call is to be still, even amidst the chaos.
Becoming silent before God and simply waiting for Him, has become almost a lost art. We assume we need to think things through to find answers. Or we believe we are idle when we don’t think or act quickly. Yet the Bible speaks consistently of being still. Constantly, l am being reminded to be still. In truth, there’s pretty little l can do to alter or change things. To bring about solutions to questions unanswered. I feel God requires us to be still, to trust and see His Salvation. When the Israelites were confronted with the gigantic Red Sea, God told them, “Behold, today, you will see the salvation of the Lord.” He did not make the Red Sea disappear, instead He parted it and made a way through it. No wonder God’s ways are not ours. His thoughts are higher than ours. Therefore, He sometimes doesn’t remove the problems but makes a way through them.
So, l implore you: be still before God. If you are like me, you can listen to quiet worship music, recount and reflect on positive things that have happened in your life in the past year, show some gratitude, take a walk, get some fresh air or just breathe. Some people find it helpful to consciously create an atmosphere of prayer by sitting in their "prayer chair", kneeling, or lighting a candle. I'm sure you have your own ideas.
How do you reset when stressed about bad or sad news, like the news of a new variant or some other ongoing uncertainty?
If you find it difficult to calm down, try the following:
- Breathe and meditate: Breathe in and out several times, with conscious pauses in between. When you exhale, imagine that you are letting go of all the thoughts that are preoccupying you—handing them over to Jesus. As you breathe in, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew. He is the living breath of God. Do this exercise until you feel at rest and immersed in peace.
- Another: lie on your back, eyes closed, and listen to your favorite slow music.
- Connect with friends and family. No man is an island.
- Unplug and read a book.
- Exercise or go for a walk.
Doing the above will help ease off any form of stress or tension. It will allow you to let go and surrender all to the Lord. Be still and let go!
Here are some of my favorite scriptures to meditate on to stay still in His presence in 2022:
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7 ESV
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…” Isaiah 30:15 ESV
"And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14
So, Fam, keep your eyes on God and not on your expectations. Breathe and Be Still Before God. He will be exalted in your life, on the Earth, in 2022.
Happy new year once again
Re-reading this article, so needed even now. 🙏🏽
Thank you for this word ma! Let God be God!
Be anxious for Nothing! To be still requires I let GOD be GOD regardless of what I may or may not see 🙏🏿 Thank you sis for the apt reminder!