Trials, heartaches and debilitating circumstances may
be weighing you down. Perhaps you have endured more than you think you can
handle. You may be voicing to God that you are at your limit. You may be
wondering if others go through such distress and trauma. You may have even
thought you have done something wrong to bring on such calamity in your life.
If you have ever read the book of Job in the Bible you feel like you can
understand his situation because you feel like Job. You feel like there is
little or no direction for your life. You are just filled with heartache and
grief. You have begun to wonder what the purpose is for so much pain and
turmoil. Your grief runs deep and your trials seem endless. You are desperate for
peace and rest. Your zest for life has fizzled out and you drag through the
days.
Consider
and reflect/meditate on this scripture:
The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10, NIV.
What do you need to take back that the enemy has
stolen from you, destroyed or killed? Has the enemy stolen your peace and joy?
Destroyed your family? Or killed your passion? Are you living the abundant life
that Christ came to give you? If not, maybe it is time to reclaim your life.
If
you are at a place where you just cannot make sense of anything anymore;
be still. Be still and listen and
wait for God to show you and led you up out of the pit of despair. Being still means not trying to figure out
everything or analyzing your problems. Being still means resting in God. To
rest means to seize from work. You may be at “work” trying to solve your
problems and trying to understand what went wrong and how to make things
better. Rest your weary soul and mind. Take shelter upon the Most High God and
seize (refrain) from trying to figure out outcomes and your life. Let go and
let God. Embrace His comfort as you wait upon His deliverance.
Rest knowing that God will fulfill all His promises
and will work all things out for good for
those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).
And if you’re feeling like Job, remember that God blessed Job’s later life more
than his earlier life (Job 42:12-15). When the “storms” of life come, run to
the feet of Jesus and get stable in His presence as the storms pass. Some “storms”
seem like they are going to destroy everything that you have. When you feel “tossed”
to and fro from the relentless crashing waves that seem like they will pull you
under, make time to sit with the Lord. Get still by quieting the chaos in your
mind. You cannot hear the Holy Spirit when your mind and thoughts are racing or
at unrest. You must be able to hear Holy Spirit when the enemy attacks. You
will not hear Holy Spirit if you keep checking your phone, emails or racing
around everywhere, you must get still.
Is
being still hard? Yes, for many, getting still can be most challenging. Be
aware, distractions will come from many directions to get you to avoid not
getting still and quiet before God. You must discipline yourself by turning
away from whatever is competing for your time with God. Quieting your thoughts
takes practice. Your mind most likely will wonder for the first 10 minutes and
sometimes even longer. Don’t give up, keep quieting your inner thoughts. Grab a
journal, a pen, your Bible and find a place that is quiet and free from
distractions. I like to play soaking worship music in the background to help me
to relax, and clear my thoughts.
If you are tired, worn-out, frustrated, or confused,
don’t add anything else to your plate, and instead be still and allow Holy
Spirit to minister to you.
