Hey there! I hope this finds you experiencing the beautiful things of God in this Fall season.
When we go through difficult seasons in life, our flesh wants to “do something” to fix the problem so we can once again be at peace. It takes faith to trust God to do the “doing” while we wait. The waiting is such an important part of the process according to Romans 5:3-5.
For the last two years, I’ve been walking through the grief of divorce and an ongoing legal situation because of it. Typing the word “divorce” about myself literally causes me to shudder and look away from the screen. The reality of it was so unexpected and the process has been more hurtful than I can express. One of the things I’m learning to do is respond to God instead of reacting to my circumstances. Not easy. But so much more satisfying.
Responding to God instead of reacting is a choice of our will. It is an exercise of faith and obedience that brings with it confidence and quietness in our spirit according to Isaiah 32:17.
These verses remind us to fix our focus on the realities of Heaven.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3
Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Colossians 3:2 TPT
Graham Cooke, one of my favorite YouTube preachers, recommends asking God this question each time you find yourself in a trial:
Who do you want to be for me now, God?
I believe that is a question God is delighted to answer for us. He will reveal it in His Word and by His Spirit. Being still in His presence – the presence of perfect love, perfect power, and perfect wisdom – is our privilege. Being still isn’t necessarily being silent. Being still is a yielding of your mind, will and emotions to the things of God in order to know Him. It can involve words, writing, silence, or simply moving forward with a little more confidence that God is in control.
What does being still and knowing God look like in your life right now?
I shared this graphic on my Prayerfully Speaking Facebook page and was surprised how much it resonated with the community. I hope it offers you insight that will help you fix your eyes on Him and respond to Him instead of reacting to your circumstances.
The more sure we are of who God is to us … the more inner peace we will experience. We can live from the inside out rather than grasping for temporary relief and trying to re-establish normalcy in our own strength.
What is your “go-to” for temporary relief?
The Bible verse “Be still and know that I am God” comes at the end of Psalm 46 where the writer is reminding himself who God is and why there is no need to fear in his present struggles. Here are the first few verses from the Passion Translation:
God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble—more than enough and always available whenever I need you.
2 So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea.
3 For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you.
4 God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places.
Was there a phrase that stood out to you in those verses?
Let’s pray this through together.
Simple Prayer
Ever-Present and Almighty God, we sit before You now with hope. We believe that Your love toward us is pure and perfect. We trust that You are faithful to a 1000 generations and You have surely not forgotten us. You see us. You know us. You are more than enough and always available when we need you.
You are greater than everything working against us. You do not fail. You hold our hand.
We cry out for the help of Your Holy Spirit to be still … to quiet our souls instead being restless and undone. Your grace is enough for this trial.
We sit before You. We inhale Your peace. We celebrate Your love and faithfulness to us. We do not hide our tears nor silence our praise. Because Jesus made a way for us to be at peace with You, we declare “All is well.”
In Jesus we pray. Amen
Thanks for allowing me to share with you here. And thanks for praying with me. Until next time enjoy His perfect love.