My mind raced as I processed the situation. We were almost 600 miles from home. Our daughter had obligations at the college we visited. Our dog had come along and was ill, possibly dying.
I wanted control. Of something. Anything.
I didn’t want to wait. I know, I should practice patience. But that is so, well, hard.
I should tell myself what I would tell others, God has even this.
I believe that, I really do.
But there’s adrenaline coursing through my veins. There’s thoughts racing through my mind. And there’s concern laced with love propelling my muscles into action. Any action.
What if our sweet dog dies here? How will my family react? How can I protect them?
God, I need You!
“Be still and know, I am God.” Psalm 46:10
But I can’t be still. I can’t just sit and wait! I want action and I want it now.
So pause.
Choose to pause.
Pause the thoughts.
Pause the activity.
Press pause on the adrenaline. Deep breaths as necessary.
Pausing differs from waiting. Waiting seems so passive.
Pausing is a choice. It indicates I am already in action and I am choosing to stop moving, halt the doing, and cease the striving. And since that accurately describes my flustered flying around, both mentally and metaphorically, it suits my mood and resonates with my soul.
I get to choose to practice the pause. Practice acknowledging Who is ultimately in control here. (Psst, it’s not me!)
I can choose to practice Psalm 46:10. Be still.
(Accurately translated, it means “stop fighting.” Wow, is that ever hitting the nail on the head!) I am fighting for control, I am fighting fear, and honestly I am even fighting God. I am trying to take over His rightful place.
And know that I am God. Get real about Who controls the earth, life and death, and even the condition of the roads I must travel.
God is in control.
And He’s never failed me yet!
It’s easy to look around and become flustered and faint-hearted when my circumstances loom large and the adrenaline accelerates.
But even then, God is still on His throne.
I can stop fighting Him. I can stop fighting for my way. I can stop worrying that He won’t show up or won’t work things out.
Because, He truly is God. He can and will do everything that needs to be done, how He deems it should be.
Maybe you, like me, need that reminder from time to time? Maybe you, like me, need to ask Him for help remembering Who He is, and how He works? Will you join me in a prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know what accelerates my heart and stills my faith. Please help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Help me recall that I only need to be still. That You’ve got even this. Thank You for being God. Remind me to practice the pause and choose to be still. In Jesus’ name, Amen.