Is it possible for you to just be still, despite all the things you must accomplish? Sandra explains the benefits.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
“That is enough! Be still, stop striving!” Can you hear the Father say that to His children? Can you hear Him speaking gently to you?
The NASB Bible version of Psalm 46:10 says, “Cease striving and know that I am God. . .”
I would imagine we would all like to stop striving, stop being so busy, learn to be still inside, wouldn’t we? I know I am so tired.
Webster’s Dictionary defines striving as this:
1. to make great effort, to try very hard
2. to struggle against something
I am showing my age here; but I think of striving as an entertainer in one of the old Ed Sullivan shows who kept running in circles trying to keep all of the plates spinning on the poles.
For me, my striving is worrying. I worry about medical bills, my kids future, my future, at times I worry about fighting the bad pain. Sometimes my concern is to just get through the day.
But folks, what do we act like if it is a good day? Istrive to catch up on all that has fallen down undone around me! There is laundry, dishes, stuff to pick up. One day when my kids were little, I counted 12 Little Golden Books, 6 Christmas ornaments, dog treats spilled on the table, my baby daughter’s brush, hair bows, match box cars, and 4 onions. This was all on my dining room table–on Valentines Day!
Cease striving. Let it go. Fall back into the arms of God.
Be still. Be still and know that He is God. Learn to live in rest. A calmness of spirit reflects the beauty of the Lord to those around us.
Stop fighting, fretting, worrying, and learn to rest in the Lord.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful that you are there for us when we fall. If we fall you will catch us. If we spin our wheels worrying, striving, and fretting, You can give us peace and rest. Father, I need peace. I need rest. I give you my heart and my soul. Amen.
About the Author:
Sandra (Sandy) Platt has been on the writing team for 7 years. She is a busy Minister’s wife and mother of two young adults. She has been married for 31 years, and in the Ministry for 26. She has wanted to write for as far back as she can remember. She has had Fibromyalgia for 24 years, and also has Lupus, Peripheral Neuropathy, and just in the past year has graduated to a wheelchair.
Share about a time where you were caught in a cycle of worry and striving. How did you reach a point where you asked God for help. How did you find your way to peace?
This song, “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North reminds us that we don’t have to strive so hard, we don’t have to earn God’s grace. Just as Sandra’s devotional explains, God is there and if we fall He will catch us. I hope it blesses you today. -Lisa
Sandy – thank you so much for sharing. I too have Lupus and have been bedridden since July 1 with neuropathy in my left leg. It has been the most horrific pain I have had to experience. I can’t even stand for a bed sheet to touch my thigh, my knee is completely numb, and I either feel like my leg is on fire or there is something crawling on it. I have had 2 epidurals which didn’t work and tried Neurotin and Lyrica neither of which I could tolerate. My Ortho doctor says he’s done all he can do to which I cried my eyes out! There has to be something….
I have contacted a pain treatment center and am waiting on a list to see a neuromuscular doctor at Emory. Do you have any helpful tips on this neuropathy issue? I know as we live with these dreaded conditions we sometimes find things on our own that help. You can e-mail me at amichelle_klemm@yahoo.com.
I apologize if this wasn’t the appropriate place to ask you about this. Thanks again for sharing with us! Have a blessed day!
Such an appropriate devotional message for me today. Thanks Sandy! 🙂
I would never have thought it to be possible to strive from a bed or recliner, but even from this state of seeming “rest” I’ve been striving today! Striving to converse, do a small job on my way to the bathroom etc etc. My body is screaming out to stop striving & yet I’ve ignored it today!!
I needed these words: “Cease striving. Let it go. Fall back into the arms of God.” Hmmmm!! Thanks Sandy. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Kerryn, Oh I am real good at striving from my recliner chair! I have my lap top, kindle, stack of mail to answer, AND mending! Yeah, pushing myself, and needing to follow my own advice. Does that happen to you Kerryn? Often, I learn a lesson, write about it, and by the time it is published, well…I learn again.
Been praying for you dear sister.
Sandy
Michelle, thank you for your comment. It really blesses a writer to know that her words touch someone. I have had Peripheral Neuropathy for 8 years, and I hear your cry. I am in a wheelchair now as it has taken the strength and nerves in both legs. But God is faithful, I promise.
Why don’t you think about joining our Rest Ministry? We have many things to help, devotionals, articles in abundance, and the Sunroom is a wonderful place to find someone to talk to just about any time of the day or night. It has been a blessing to me for the past 9 or 10 years, and I have made many dear friends.I will get with your questions in a more private way, OK?
Sandy
Oh Sandy, I confess.that I was striving again today. I developed a nasty cold the last couple of days and by mid-afternoon today I was feeling that general malaise. But still I “soldiered on” making a delicious but time-consuming supper for hubby and me.
I’m not sure if I made unwise choices or if the Lord wanted me to “come to the end of myself” again so that I’d turn to Him and find peace and rest in Him. I find it so hard to let go of chores, although I do, when able, take short breaks to recoup.
I’ve often wondered why that sense of resting in Him was so often missing from my life. I think it’s been partly pride and partly just not trusting Him.As you said, worrying instead. He said, “Come unto me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 12:28-30)
I have experienced that peace, but not nearly as often as I’d like to. But He makes it clear in your key verse that He is God, not me. I pray that He will give me the grace to let Him be God in my life.
So good to see one of your devotionals again my friend.
Luv ya!
Beth
Hi Sandy,
Such beautiful thoughts you’ve shared here – I especially loved your “Cease striving. Let it go. Fall back into the arms of God” as I’ve been not finding enough time for “rest” lately – especially as I need more of it when it’s cold here and my pain is worse. I think I’m good at leaving things undone, but somehow I’m still not getting to the rest! Not sure what I am doing…….
Praying for that peace and rest for you, my friend 🙂
Beth,
Praying you’re soon feeling better 🙂
Blessings, Fiona
Beth you have been on my mind and heart. Rest in Him and get over that cold. I understand about pushing “just a bit more” than what is needed…like your dinner.
Today, I was too busy while in the recliner, mending, catching up on letters, working on the computer, all instead of being still. Aren’t we silly?
Love and prayers, Sandy
So glad to hear from you Fiona! Thanks for your prayers. I also ache tremendously when it is cold.
I have missed “talking” to you my friend. Thank you for your kind words. I agree that type of REST is hard to find. I am good at being busy, like I said in Beths note above I can fill a time of rest way too easily.
We all need to learn this, I am afraid…we are not THERE yet. Praying for everybody,
Sandy
Yes Sandy!!
That happens almost every time God teaches me a lesson & it’s written up as a devotional. By the time it’s “published” I really need to read it & relearn it…..again….& again…..& again!! Such a slow learner! My poor Teacher must despair some days!! I have definitely grown heaps, but some lessons need lots of revision!! Definitely not an “A+” student!! 😉 All on a journey! Soooo thankful for your prayers. You’ve been in mine too. Gentle hugs. God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Beth & Fiona….sending gentle hugs & prayers.
Michelle, feeling for you…..praying. God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Loved this devotion, Sandra! Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite verses of scripture. I constantly have to make myself to stop fretting and rest in God. Thanks for such a great reminder. -Dorothea
Hi all,
My goodness, i feel so out of touch . Have been gone for 6 weeks to South Carolina to see our son and family. A very big blessing, but at the same time very stressful and “fretting” time for me. Long story short, we had postponed this trip for over 2 months and I tussled with God over my going. i had been very sick with a serious infection for 6 months and it got complicated. Anyways, we finally went . I spent days alone, except for my little dog and would just sit (in between the flooding downpours) look at the lake, walk Brody, read, pray, do puzzles, etc. Not much striving, very little housework in a rv, so was good. bit lonely but no stress. No internet connection except phone and so small to see anything on it!!
fastforward 6 wekes
sorry bout that, new ipad keyboard, really struggling with it as you can see, pushed wrong button. so embarrased. Now am trying to go thru 6 weeks of mail, laundry with a washing machine that ran water all over the floor since home, trying to catch up with you guys, etc. not complaining as blessed to go, but i really oushed and some days there, had no more push left. thats how i feel now. no oush left. so this devotional really hit home.
thank you Sandy and all who commented. i really missed yu guys!!!!
Sorry so many errors.
love,
Patty
Maybe you all will get a good laugh out of my new word “oush”. my contribution for today!!!!!:-)
Patty
Lovely to have you back here with us Patty! No more “oushing” please!!! 😉 Lotsoluv Kerryn
Sandy: I’ve had this little “Pass it On” card for many years now. It says something I needed to hear then and still do now. It’s called, “Each Day to Do Your Will”.
“Help me to remember, Lord that there is time enough to do Your will each day. Not everything I think I should do or that others desire for me but Your will in Your time.” Written by Abbie Teh
I often have it as a reminder on the bathroom mirror, as I have for the last few weeks, but, unfortunately, I haven’t been reading it very much lately. I do appreciate so much your reminder to “Be still”.
I think a lot of us have been raised to be hard workers and that’s okay as far as it goes. But we also need to spend quality time with the Lord as well to have the resources we need to live the lives he’s given us. As well, our bodies and minds need time to rest and relax (especially when we have pain, chronic illness or a disability) in order to be somewhat restored for the ongoing challenges.
May we learn to stop and recognize that God, not us, is God and allow Him to lead us and give us strength as we lean hard on His more than sufficient sufficiency.
Dear friend, I admire you: your trust in the Lord, your wisdom, your desire to encourage others, etc. Bless you!