During the month of October I had my little “freaking out” ghost sitting out on my kitchen counter for decoration.
The month of October was incredibly difficult, when it came to caregiving for aging parents. Incredibly difficult! As I looked at my little “freaking out” ghost each day, I could relate! Things were so hard that deep inside I felt like I was “freaking out.”
So … I got my “Be still” mug out of the cupboard and set it out on my kitchen counter where I could see it each day – a visual reminder for myself that my God is in control! My God will take care of me! My God will help me through this.
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
The thing is, my “Be still” mug does not have the full complete verse. Only “Be still.” As both hubby and I looked at the “Be still” mug sitting there on the kitchen counter, we each wondered: “What would someone think of that statement if they knew nothing of God or Jesus Christ?” What would they think it meant??
Perhaps: Be still … go sit in the woods and do yoga. But would that really help?? Really, truly??
If someone were in mine and hubby’s situation of caregiving for aging parents, perhaps it might mean: Be still … and don’t respond to the angry hurtful verbal lashing.
Or perhaps: Be still … and don’t be discouraged by the mind-boggling ungratefulness.
Or: Be still … and don’t worry about the impossible expectations continually being heaped up.
Or maybe: Be still … and don’t respond to the passive-aggressive dagger-words aimed at wounding the heart.
But why would someone who knows nothing of God or Jesus Christ want to “Be still”? Why “Be still” in the face of a very discouraging situation?? What is there to gain from “Being still”??
The whole power of the verse is the fact that we can “Be still” because our God is in control and will help us!
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
I can “Be still” … because my God sees the angry hurtful verbal lashing. My God sees.
Genesis 16:13 – “Hagar gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me. [El Roi]’” God’s very name is – El Roi – meaning: “The God who sees me.”
I can “Be still” … because my God will reward me and hubby for our faithfulness, despite the mind-boggling ungratefulness.
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Revelation 22:12 – Jesus says: “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
I can “Be still” … because my God is with me, right in the middle of impossible expectations continually being heaped up.
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I can “Be still” … because my God, King Jesus, is a warrior! My King Jesus will fight for me! King Jesus is commander of the armies of heaven! King Jesus has a sharp double-edged sword with which he will strike down evil and bring justice!
Not only that, I have the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit has a sword too! “The Sword of the Spirit” … Ephesians 6:17.
My King Jesus’s double-edged sword … and the Sword of the Spirit can more than take care of the passive-aggressive dagger-words aimed at wounding the heart.
Revelation 19:11-15 – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True [that’s King Jesus!]. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire … out of his mouth comes a sharp sword …”
I can “Be still” … because I know who my God is!
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
I eventually moved my little “freaking out” ghost and put it inside my “Be still” mug. It was a perfect picture of how I felt. “Freaking out” in a place of “Be still.”
Perhaps you likewise might find yourself “freaking out” because of what you are facing in life.
It’s ok if you are feeling a bit like my little “freaking out” ghost … as long as you have positioned yourself in a place of “Be still” – knowing who your God is!
Knowing with confidence that God sees you (El Roi – God sees me!). And knowing with confidence that God will take care of you, no matter what!
