Be Still on Your Faith Walk!
To many, loss is familiar. What a statement! Daily there is some sort of compromise required to Faith Walk. Behind the loss that fuels the feelings is fear. Fear, where does my mind go immediately, what am I thinking. Feel it! Oh, mindfulness, slow it down, pause.
It goes something like the above or it goes to fear, some response that is going to bring with it consequences I probably am going to regret. Oh no, now that gentle foe self-loathing, regret, I sure am inviting in a lot of others to this event that was just part of life.
Ok, back up. Let’s assume I am practicing my faith walk and I choose the first. Now I can sort out reality from imagination-and usually not a nice one at that! I have now learned the art of pause.
In the Bible, Jesus pauses constantly. In fact, his disciples are astonished at times as to his reaction to events that stumble upon their path. Let us examine this first. Taking a moment to pause is like taking an immune accelerator when I feel the tinge of a virus or bug. Maybe it is a tickle in my throat or a mild clear running nose, just the beginning of one. I take the immune booster and go about my business. Perhaps I take some time to rest or endeavor into some self care like a nice shower or cold/hot drink (depending on the season or my mood). All of these behaviors move away from the event or happening, the feeling or brewing that can take me on a trip I do not want to pay for.
Let us consult the Living Word for a minute. Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When I am upset or startled by events in my Faith Walk, it boils down to projected loss which is fueled by fear. If I stop and be still (I have this all over my house because I am still a work in process) as the Scripture instructs me, the last part follows in that I am not God. Indeed, either I believe that He is for me or I do not. I have worked stridently to establish a very close relationship with Jesus and I am not about to let the events of this world deter me from experiencing heaven here on this Earth. So to learn to be still is not only what I am called to do, it is the easier and softer way. Remembering, at these difficult moments, to be still is exactly how I let Him in, let Him do what I know He wants to do because He loves me so much. So if being still and practicing this is my part, I sure am going to return to it!
Now onto the events! I may not see His plan right now, but this loss or difficulty could be a vital part of His plan for my Faith Walk! This also could just be a life event, something that just happens (I tend not to think micro on God, thinking the little things can happen helps me not get too caught up). Then there is the factor that this could be saving me from something more horrific, a sort of protection if you will, from some other events or happenings, steering me away from something. And finally, it could be that this adversity may be delivering me exactly where I am expected to show up for my fruits! The challenge is, I do not know what this is, so I have to trust Him and move on.
By being still, it gives me a moment to feel whatever is going on as a result of this loss or event, this difficulty or challenge. Here is where I can let Him protect me and to love me. I do not have to do this Faith Walk alone. Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Actually, He will give me my heart’s desires if I will ONLY BE STILL! Not easy all of the time, but with practice, I can strengthen my trust in Him and save myself from unnecessary fines of poor choices in the face of adversity. Thank you Lord for teaching me how to walk on this Earth and see your gifts and at times your plan as I walk in faith with you. Peace, Light, Love!