In the Bible God says “Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalms 46:10

Be still.

Why does that phrase satisfy my inner heart, but at the same time bring me so much anxiety?

When I try to be still in my soul and it’s quiet all around me, I surrender to my thoughts and memories.  Silence carries me to uncomfortable dark places in my life.  My heart rate picks up pace to match the tempo of minutes and hours of fear and terror.  The sound of my heartbeat is in my ears as it was when I was alone and afraid.  Some of the worst times that I can remember were times that I was told to be still.

But… God is good – all the time. He brought me through those times and continues to heal me.  It’s a good thing that God didn’t leave me there.  God doesn’t leave His word there either!

The verse continues, ” Be still …and KNOW THAT I AM GOD!”  I do know that beyond all else God exists.  He exists in joy and celebration, but He also is there in our times of pain and fear.

He rescued me from those who did harm, and He saved me from myself.

God is real.

He is keenly aware of our current situation.  I really think that His desire is for all of us to be still!

As I am writing this, I am sitting in our pick-up truck with the radio on playing Christian music. The sun warms me through the window and a lone bird is singing.  My husband is fishing nearby. There are two unusual small ducks on the pond amid several Canada geese.  The fish know nothing of our isolation restrictions or this whole pandemic.  They lay quietly at the bottom of the pond, still cold from winter water.  They are still.  Being still here is allowing me to write again. It is freeing my mind again.  No terrifying statistics or sad news.  I see and feel God in the breeze.  I hear Him in the quiet sound of nature.  I believe that His power is over our lives!

When we can’t (or won’t!) stop and dwell with Him on a daily basis, He allows the earthly governing bodies to put some restrictions on us.  Since our options to occupy time are limited, we now have more time to breathe and reflect.  So, for now, seize the opportunity without guilt and relax a bit.  Talk to God and get reacquainted with yourself and your hidden talents.  Be still and know that He is God, and He always knows what He is doing!