Thoughts on Be Still
In my third book, BE STILL, Christina and her children continue to struggle with issues of fear and trust. BE STILL is taken from the verse, Be still and know that I am God found in Psalms 46:10.
I have a difficult time being still because of my personality. Even when I'm on vacation, I tend to be busy cooking, cleaning, doing laundry—kind of like being at home. I hear my mother's voice in my head saying, “Don't be lazy. Idle hands are the Devil's workshop.” If I slept past 9:00, she would come wake me up. As it is, I rarely sleep past that time, and when I do, I feel guilty. I say to myself, “You shouldn't sleep so late, because there is so much to get done.” God gives us 24 hours in a day, and sometimes that just doesn't seem like enough time to get everything accomplished.
How many of you have that same problem? I have friends and relatives who can totally relax, and not worry about the opinions of others concerning their actions, or lack of. I sometimes wish I could be more like that. I am more like Martha—Lazarus's sister—in Luke 10:38-42, who was flitting around getting food ready, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. I would be like, “It would be nice to get some help around here! Do I have to do this all by myself?”
Martha even complained to Jesus, asking him to tell Mary she needed to help. After all, she was doing all the work! She probably felt like I do when I'm trying to get things done, and my family sits around chatting, or playing games on their phones, or disappear completely—until food is ready to be served. We had a rule in our family when the kids were growing up which stated: if you didn't cook, or help prepare the meal, you had to clean up everything. Fortunately, as the kids aged, they all enjoyed cooking, so the meal preparation and clean up was usually divided equally.
I find it interesting that Jesus chastised Martha. He said that she was worrying too much about things getting done. He told her that Mary had chosen wisely, and He wasn't going to tell her to leave. I wonder if Martha walked away grumbling under her breath. I know I would. The Bible doesn't go into detail after the chastisement, but I have a feeling though, that she ended up sitting at Jesus' feet. She may have sighed loudly, and said, “Fine!” Before she gave in.
When we feel anxious and frazzled, we just need to take a deep breath, and release it slowly. This will help calm our anxious heart. Then we may be still, and sit at Jesus' feet. I have to remind myself often, that life is too short to be so concerned about things beyond my control.
My husband, bless his heart, has a personality opposite of mine. I get frazzled, and he is calm. He rarely gets worked up about anything. One of his mottoes is: “If something doesn't get done today, there's always tomorrow.” He's right, of course. In the whole scheme of things, sometimes what I get worked up over, isn't that big of a deal. There are times, I hate to admit, that I find myself having a little hissy-fit, or pity party. Fortunately, those are rare and short-lived, as I am reminded by the Holy Spirit, that not everything is about me!
So I leave you with these thoughts. When the Lions, or trials, surround you, remember to fear not, be still, and trust in God. He's the only one who can give you peace in times of trouble.