“I am tired” is my usual cry. Anyone who knows me well can attest to this. No, I don’t need coffee. I don’t drink coffee even through grad school. It is not just a physical tiredness. My mind is always in the future, and when the thing I am hoping for does not happen soon enough – I get sad, anxious, and so worried that I often feel (you guessed it) tired. be still…

Be mindful of your patterns. For you, worry or anxiety may manifest in other ways. You may have headaches, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, nausea, muscle tension, or irritability. Be conscious of the thoughts that results in these conditions.

Be still

The other day I received a package including two journals from a dear friend. On the cover of one journal were the words “be still.” She wrote a note inside; I saw this journal and immediately thought of you.

I went to a meeting last week. The leader spoke about people searching for things they had with them all along.

“Be still,” he said. “Wait, and things will turn.”

I texted a friend during that said week, and she texted me back with the words “be still in His presence.”

I wondered if God was trying to get my attention while I tried to “solve” another problem by worrying.

Worrying is pointless. Your mind is seeking a solution; instead you are thinking about the problem over and over without solving it. I know you are a fixer (or problem solver); but you have forgotten who your source is (God); you have forgotten who you are (you are a child of God); or you have forgotten why you are here (your purpose).

If I get quiet enough, I can hear the whispers…be still and know that I am God.

God is with you

As a child I remember going to Psalms 46. I usually read it aloud.

God is our refuge and strength,
A^[a] very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the ^[b]midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the ^[c]tabernacle of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be ^[d]moved;
God shall help her, just ^[e]at the break of dawn.
⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Get back your focus

I am reminded that my focus is off. Are you focusing on your problem, making it an idol? Are you trying to stretch too far into the future? Or perhaps your mind is stuck in the past? (so what? now what?) Are you so busy going from this to that without being productive? Busyness is not the same as productiveness. Are you too busy being comfortable that you are missing the next thing God has for you? Are you being fruitful? Be still.

Practical things you can do daily to be still

I said daily, because it should become a new pattern. You can build a new habit in approximately two months. (James Clear, 2018. Atomic Habits). Challenge yourself…

Say scriptures out loud (the one above is a good one).
Take a walk or run.
Meditate.
Do yoga.
Pray.
Sing.
Dance.
Worship the Lord (in your own way).
Whatever quiets the mind – legally.
And listen…

God is speaking; listen…

After you have found your way back, be disciplined to stay in the present (using the habit you built) and do what God wants you to do. You know what it is. It could be the task sitting in front of you or the job you have always wanted to do. It could be a new thing! (Isaiah 43:19).

God is in control; you should trust Him.

Peace, be still.

Have you ever lost your focus? What did you do to get it back? Comment below