Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NIV
I was reminded of this once again as I viewed the ocean and quieted my heart and spirit.
These words from God are a call to stop striving and acknowledge God’s sovereignty and power. They encourage trust and reliance on Him even in the midst of chaos, confusion, and conflict.
It was important to me to quiet my heart. I am sure it is true for you as well. We live a frantically paced life which can drain us of our resolve and energy – which leaves important and critical things unattended, undealt with, unprocessed. This frantic life is fed by being disconnected from God, people, and yourself. It is so damaging.
- People are frantic emotionally, living in fear, denial, and a state of worry.
- We experience FOMO. Fear of missing out is a nagging feeling that everyone is out there having the time of their lives while you’re stuck in your pajamas, binge-watching Netflix.
- We experience FOBO. Fear of a better option stems from the anxiety that something better will come along, and as a result, you do not commit to existing choices, which leads to indecision.
- We are living in a polarizing world. Everything you hear in the news is designed to polarize people into opposite groups. This breeds anger among people. Political parties and polarized groups use anger for their own personal ends and manipulate people and situations instead of focusing and listening to God.
- Caught in a chaotic, frenzied spiral of new addictions, people are chasing control, power, money, success, you name it, and it creates a faster pace of life. So like any addiction, people are out of control in their behaviors, feelings, thinking – yet see themselves as being right and normal.
This is a picture of life in America. Just keep moving forward – no matter the pace – don’t pause and reflect. Our world is dominated by beliefs, attitudes, appetites, and ways of thinking that elevate the values of impulse, instant gratification, and loss of control. These things become chronic stressors that lead to behavioral mood and attention disorders.
We cannot see that we are causing our physical, emotional, spiritual, and behavior health problems as we go faster and faster, some turning to drugs and alcohol to treat the unforeseen consequences.
Maybe the biggest cost we’ve encountered is the destruction of human relationships. We are so caught up in the frantic pace, so entangled in making impressions, making compromises, making rushed momentary decisions that fracture the people we value most. Our family and friends are confused, crushed, left behind, and we don’t understand why.
We lose perspective. This frantic life is so destructive and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. This life’s frantic and relentless pace can be halted and resolved by restoring our primary relationship.
This frantic life can be resolved by remembering who God is and turning to Him. He is the primary Source. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
When you slow down and come to the Source of peace, you can begin to find the rest Jesus promises. He invites you to slow down, come to Him and learn from Him. His pace will be slow. His burden will be light.
Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV