Shhhh…hear that? The sound of complete quiet. Usually I hear cars rushing by our window early in the morning. Not today. It is complete quiet. We are all getting a lot more of that “quiet” these days with this time of quarantine aren’t we? As I sit here in my prayer chair this morning, listening to the sound of “quiet.” I think about that stillness. I think about a conversation yesterday with my friend who is struggling with fear. Se said to me, “Lisa, the stillness makes my mind wonder and I end up going down scenarios that cause me to be anxious and full of fear! All the what if’s begin! My focus becomes unclear and it is paralyzing!”
Focus. That’s the key word, and what I think has been a game changer for me during this pandemic. In this stillness, what am I focused on? One of the most difficult things for me to do in life is to “be still”. I am going all the time. This pandemic has taught me many things, but I know I will look back and treasure what it has taught me about stillness, about stopping. Really stopping.
There is so much to be heard, in the quiet, in the knowing that He is God. The other day, when I was struggling to rest from all the thoughts whirling around in my head… I sat in my prayer chair for hours……in the quiet…..in the stillness…..just listening. My heart focused on what God wanted me to hear instead of what my brain wanted me to hear. I focused off of any fears, any self talk, any noise….I just listened. The comfort that came in that stillness was indescribable. Peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
I remember thinking to myself after that time of quiet, “how had I not heard these things before?” Because I didn’t stop! I was too busy to listen. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” I thought I knew what stillness really was, but this pandemic has re-defined that stillness. It has re-defined my definition of “stop”. My new normal after this season is behind me will be different. There will be more stillness, most stopping. There will be more listening.
I want to encourage those who are struggling with fear. If the noise and fears in your mind are overwhelming, and the loss of control is almost too much. Stop. Sit in the stillness and listen. Re-focus. God has a lot to say, and I promise it will comfort you. It will bring you strength. Focus on the Savior, not the storm. And I guess in this case those words could be changed to “focus on His presence, not the pandemic”.
He has you. Let your soul rest.
You are not alone.