"Be Still..."

Image Courtesy of Adriane McIntyre

Scripture

 Psalm 46

God’s Defense of His City and People

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.
⁶ The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord;
    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah   (NRSV)

 

Devotion

Recently, I've been reading a lot of articles about the mental health effects that 2020's various ongoing crises are having on people.  It should come as no surprise to anyone that stress, anxiety, and depression are all on the rise. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Census Bureau has determined that over 34% of Americans are showing signs of anxiety, depression, or both.  People are worried about everything from contracting COVID to not being able to pay their bills.  Add to that worries about keeping the people we feel responsible for safe, people's increased isolation, and the negative mental and emotional impact of having almost every aspect "normal" life disrupted, and it's no wonder that people are struggling.  

The longer the pandemic goes, the more "normal" all this extra anxiety feels.  Part of this is because human beings have an amazing abillity to adapt to and cope with extreme situations.  Give people long enough, and we can get used to a lot of things.  One common approach to short-term stress is to simply "power through" and promise ourselves that we will deal with our feelings later.   The problem with adapting that strategy in long-term situations is that sooner or later, our bodies, minds, and spirits begin to pay a heavy toll.  The longer it goes, the worse it gets.  It can be hard to remember what it felt like to just be calm and still and at peace with the world.

The people that Psalm 46 was written for knew what it was like to endure great stress and anxiety.  Israel was a small nation inhabiting a very sought after stretch of land.  The people lived with the constant threat of war.  The psalmist helped them allay some of their anxiety by reminding them to be still and trust in God.  Even if the mountains shook and the sea itself began to roar, they could trust that God would take care of them...and God would certainly protect them from other nations.

"Peace, be still, and lnow that I am God"

The psalmist makes it sound so simple.  Sadly, though, modern day Americans are not particularly known for staying still.  We are conditioned to take charge!  Move forward!  Overcome obstacles!  It can be hard for us to hit pause...take time to breathe...be still and know in your heart that God is God.

If you find it difficult to be still, then it can help to be intentional about it.  Some people write quiet time with God into their daily schedule.  Others make a covenant with a friend or loved one and check-up on each other's progress.  Some meditate or keep a spiritual journal or pray as they color.   Any or all of these approaches is perfectly fine.   I prefer praying as I garden or walk in nature, but if I don't have the opportunity to do those things, I tend to rely upon breath prayers.

A "breath prayer" is a short phrase, sentence, or scripture verse that you repeat over and over again.  You slowly breathe in with the first part of phrase and breath out with the second part.  As you breathe and focus on that short statement, your body and mind begin to calm.  Your spirit becomes quiet.  It becomes easier to feel God's presence reassuring you.  Breath prayers can feel a little odd or uncomfortable at first, but I have found that when I take time to do them consistently--even if it is for 5 minutes a day--it becomes easier to be still and let God handle my anxieties for a while.

As 2020 continues to unfold, I encourage you to seek ways of being still and knowing that God is there to take care of you.  Do it for you.  Do it for the people who love you.  Do it because it pleases God. As you find God in the stillness, may some of the cares that afflict you melt away for a while. God has been and will always remain your very present help in trouble.  And though the earth may shake and the sea may roar, God shall be your refuge.

 

 

Prayer

These are my personal go-to breath prayers.  You can also pick a phrase, sentence, or scripture that suits you.  Set a timer or commit to saying the prayer a certain number of times.  The more used to breath prayers a person gets, the more comfortable they feel doing them for longer periods.

Option 1:

[Breathe in]  I am....

[Breathe out] .... a beloved child of God. 

 

Option 2:

[Breathe in]  My help comes from Adonai...

[Breathe out]... the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth.  (Psalm 121:2)