12/01/2023
The Calm and Quiet Soul
We find ourselves quite often alone with our thoughts. Most of us are experts at anticipating the "what if's" that life could bring us - the things we most dread and fear. And these kinds of thoughts produce worry.
Worry is a response to fear and it can easily sabotage a wonderful day or evening. Out of nowhere, the enemy reminds us of a dreaded possibility and we ruminate on it, often without much effort.
But here’s a different kind of “what if.” What if we had the ability- through the power of God’s word and the Holy Spirit- to actually calm and quiet our own soul?
King David has some wise words for our moments of contemplation...
“LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.” (Psalms 131:1-3 NKJV)
What does he mean by "things too profound for me"? I believe he is saying that he intentionally avoided over-thinking the various possibilities of dread in life that were beyond his control. David actually counts this as pride - to presume to know all things and fully prepare for all things unknown. Only God knows the future. Our lives are in His hands. It's not our job to have faith and believe for the worst in life. That's beyond our natural ability.
However, we do have the ability to believe for God's divine intervention and have faith in His abundant provision and safety. We don't pretend that nothing is wrong and deceive ourselves. But we can choose to not focus on the reality of circumstances and redirect our focus on God’s character, goodness and strength in times of trouble.
David also calmed himself. We can do the same by intentionally reminding ourselves of God's word and His goodness. We must talk to ourselves- even out loud if we have to. The truth of God's faithfulness in the midst of perilous situations has to ring louder in our ears that the fear of man or the reality of the status quo!
A weaned child has had the experience of the love, security, and provision from his mother. At this stage of life, the child has formed a beautiful trust in his source. We can take our cues from this analogy by resting in God's promises. We have first-hand experience of His love and goodness. He will never leave us. What can separate us from the love of God? This eternal perspective will cause us to reject the negative evaluations of our soul and embrace the truth of God's presence and faithfulness in trying times.
Our hope is in the Lord, who will never leave us or forsake us. We should remind ourselves and others of this truth daily and immerse our thoughts with Jesus and His mercy.
