Being Still in the Demands of Life

The loud annoying sound blared in my ear. “It’s 5:50 already?” I asked myself. I felt 83 instead of 38 as my body snap, crackled and popped after a few steps were taken from the bed to the bathroom. I woke one child, followed by the next three, made breakfast, fed the dog, brewed coffee and paid a bill online. Then, I remembered I needed to shower. I breathed a sigh of relief as, one by one, the kids safely made their way from our front door to the bus stop. I poured my cup of joe and sat down to meet with Jesus. Shortly after I thanked Him for the day, my mind wandered to the other bill I forgot to pay and if I washed the conditioner out of my hair.
Ever been there? Where the thought of a calm, peaceful day or morning is a memory you seem to recall but is a little fuzzy.

I sat down on my chair at work where I flipped my daily encouragement calendar. I grinned as it read “Be still and know I am God.” A few moments later, the same verse appeared in an article I read. “Okay, God, you have my attention.” I said softly.

God whispers to us in many ways. Sometimes through other people. Or, the Holy Spirit provides a nudge in our hearts. Many times, it’s as plain as the lines on our hands-through His written word.

In this fast paced, have to get-it-done-now world we live in, it’s hard to pause. When the kids are pulling on both arms because, they too, have to have it now. When a notification dings on our phone and we feel we must instantly respond. When we trip on our own shoes in the closet so, of course, it needs to be cleaned out.

It’s easy to find ourselves here. Where the struggle to balance our time and role as parents, employees and friends becomes overwhelming. The common verse that says: “Be still” is overlooked by everything else that vies for our attention.

Where does The Almighty fit into our schedules? Is he squeezed into our car rides from point A to B? Do we read a devotion and feel we have spent adequate time with Him? Or, feel our weekly visits to church are enough to carry us through? All of these are good things. It’s great to talk to Jesus in the car or while we are doing our make-up. To read an encouraging devotion can be just what we need to lift our spirits more. Going to church can be a second home for a lot of us. But, is this enough? I would argue no, it’s not.

Long before cell phones, to-do lists and cleaning products were born, the One who created us wrote an exquisite letter. He did so knowing we would put idols in front of Him and place Him somewhere in the middle of our priority lists. This love letter, commonly referred to as the Bible, is our life manual. Its words are timeless and filled with wisdom and instruction to carry us from one day to the next.

Some of us don’t read as a hobby, don’t understand the Bible or simply feel we don’t have time for it. But, if the Lord in Heaven is the Lord of our lives and the greatest lover of our souls, why would we not want to read what He’s written to us?

Here are a few ways we can practically be still in the demands of life:

Reexamine our order of priorities.  Before we say yes to everyone else, say yes to God. We do so by patiently dwelling in His presence. We can’t expect to hear from him nor have any type of peace in our chaotic lives if we don’t place Him before everything else that threatens to take precedence.

Be intentional and make time to read the Bible. Our schedules are all different. We might have to do it in the evenings when little ones are down or leave for work early and spend time with Him in the car of the parking lot.  God sees and knows the desires of our hearts, no matter where we are or what time of day it is.

Pray. Pray that God unclutters our minds and helps us understand and discern what He is teaching us.

Each day will provide its own unique set of situations that make it harder than others to abide in Jesus. But, as we strive and seek to do so, I believe the Lord will honor that as we honor Him.

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for creating me and blessing me with the people in my life and with things that make it easy to live. Forgive me when I place those people and things before you. Help me to balance it all and keep my eyes set before you as you lead me on this day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Deep Waters of Depression

I saw a woman engulfed by the roaring waves of the ocean. Her arms frantically moved as her head bobbed in and out of the water. She gasped for breath and wanted nothing more than to be on shore. People swam out to rescue her as others stood on the sand waiting for her to be pulled in.

In the people’s effort to help, they too were being pulled down and couldn’t reach her. The woman felt hopeless as she cried out to God. “God, why won’t you save me?” A few moments later a white life ring floated beside her. She grabbed it with every ounce of strength as she pulled her body through the hole. She heard God say: “Be still and know I am God.” At first, she wondered how she could be still when she was in the middle of this vast sea until she realized she didn’t have many options. There were no boats or life guards. Just her and God.  She laid her head back as a calmness swept over her. The very same waves that crashed on and almost swallowed her were the same ones that propelled her to the beach where she wanted to be all along. Though she felt God was ignoring her, it was in fact Him who had delivered her.

The deep waters this woman found herself in were those of depression.  Some battle it all their lives. Others go through it once or a handful of times. It can be a chemical imbalance or a trigger from a traumatic experience. No matter what the cause or how long or little it lasts, depression is very real. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2015, an estimated 16.1 million adults, that were over the age of 18 in the U.S., had at least one major depressive episode in that year.

The woman that appeared to be drowning is the same one I face in the mirror every day. From all outside appearances, I have it all together. A husband who adores me. Healthy children. A beautiful home.  There is nothing I need that God hasn’t provided and then some. So, why was I in the midst of such inner turmoil? I did everything I knew to do as a Christian. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t gain control of my thoughts to have the mind of Christ.

There is a fullness of joy in God’s presence. We have hope and faith in our salvation and eternal life and that sustains our joy. But, at times, we don’t always feel the joy. Due to the stigma that can be attached to depression, we hide our sadness, worry and anxiety in fear that we are lesser Christians. If we aren’t living up to the expectations others place on us, then we are obviously not doing something right. WRONG! We are all in a battle on this side of heaven and will be until we are called home. In a world full of darkness, it’s easy for our own lights to go out. 

When we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, there are practical steps we can take to remove some of it. Brick by brick.

• Stay in prayer and be patient. The Lord delights to hear from His children but that doesn’t mean we always get relief or removal from our situations. The tests and trials we face are all refining us.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.     (Romans 12:12)
• Read the Bible. God’s word not only gives us instruction but its healing words are like   balm for our wounded hearts and minds. Our faith comes from hearing, and hearing   through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) Meditate and memorize scripture. When   the enemy’s lies begin to invade our thoughts the best way to fight them is with the       truth of His word.
• Worship Him! Our God is worthy of every praise. Turn up the songs. Shout the name of Jesus. What better way to usher in the presence of Jesus?
• Get involved in a small group. We all need a place to belong and people to help us       carry our load and share in our triumphs. Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but     encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews:10:24-25)
• Seek counsel from a medical professional. There is no shame in doctors, medications     and/or asking for help. I believe when we do, it can be one of the best aids on our path to healing.

If depression has affected you or a loved one in any capacity, know you are not alone. We don’t have to wear a fake smile and pretend everything is fine. What we must do is take the steps to get us to a more healthy place. 

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for creating me, even on the days when I wonder why. You are a compassionate God who keeps track of all my sorrows and have collected my tears in your bottle. Nothing that has or will happen hasn’t first passed through your hands. Help me to remember there are reasons for our trials and your plans are good. Forgive me when I take my eyes off you and help me fix my thoughts on what is true and praiseworthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.