We are all stressed.
Life is like running on a treadmill that does not stop.
We have kids to take care of.
We have bills to pay.
We have a spouse to love and care for.
We have deadlines to meet at work.
We have friends to stay in relationship with.
We have goals to meet.
We have a future spouse to meet, fall in love with and marry.
We have high school or college or grad school to finish.
We have schedules,
to-do lists,
post-it notes,
grocery shopping,
rent,
and on it goes … every day.
Stop.
There is a simple solution to all of these very real responsibilities that cause pressure. At first glance, it will not seem like a real option, but when we meditate on it, all becomes clear.
Read these verses first.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (?Psalm? ?46?:?1-11? NIV)
Solution
There is so much packed into these verses above. Read it again. And again.
The solution to stress is being still and knowing God is God. That’s it. Think about it. Be still. Stop running … internally. Stop acting crazy … internally. Stop the madness … internally. Be still before God. Humble yourself. Confess. Stop in His presence. Stop running away from Him when He is talking to you. Meditation requires being still. And know that He is God. Know that He is the One True God. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What difference does that make? It shows that God is faithful throughout all generations. He is in control. There are no other gods but Him! Know in your heart and mind that there is a faithful and good God who knows the number of hairs on your head. He calls the earth His footstool. He is huge. He is absolutely in control of the whole universe and he knows you. He created you. He loves you. He sent a Savior to earth for you.
The end result regardless of us is that He will be exalted in the whole earth among all the nations on the planet. When it is all finished, He will be exalted! Worshipped! Glorified! The Book of Revelation is the proof. He invites us to join Him by being still in your stress.
Know He is God.
There is no other.
The solution to your stress today is being still and being confident that God is there in the middle of it all. He cares. It is not about following 10 steps to a stress-free life. That only brings on more stress. It is not about trying to live up to expectations or to perform better. It is about floating in His grace.
This is what it is about.
Be
Still …
really still.
and
Know
He
Is
GOD …
the only True God.
Take some time today to read Psalm 46 again and ask God to help you be still and know He is God. I believe your blood pressure will come down.
What do you think?
