My thoughts are like the ocean, crashing back and forth sometimes without direction or focus. From a young age, I have always been caught up in my mind; my safe place, away from the loneliness , abuse, and insecurities. My only way to escape the world was through my thoughts and through this, I learned to make my thoughts my friend. I would direct movies and create elaborate stories over and over. Recently, my once loyal companion seems to be distant, I struggle to be still and to allow my mind to be free and creative as it once was. I think to myself, “How come my brain and I are we no longer friends?” I have been struggling with creativity, I have a mental block and I can’t seem to find a way out. It has honestly been hard, I have cried out to God for help. I know God hears my cry and yesterday he showed me that he does in such a beautiful refreshing way.
One of my friends commented on one of my Social Media posts, it gave me an opportunity to check in with her and I asked her how she was. She shared her struggles about a relationship breakdown and I offered encouragement and support. I shared with her my experience, and assured her that relationships provide so much opportunity for personal growth and she would learn so much about herself including her inner strength. My experience was a blessing, I learned so much about myself, God, and afterwards I ended up meeting my husband. She was encouraged by that and other things I shared. After my reassurance she asked me to reach out if I ever needed anything so I asked her pray for us; what university my husband is supposed to go to and also pray for the home God has for us. As she prayed ,she shared her feelings with me. She told me all of the things that she felt God putting into her heart…. in this season God wants me to be still and that being still is okay. That hit home for me, that is exactly how I have been feeling. I felt as though nothing is happening around me, no progress is being made and this made me freak out. I had been trying to use my writing and video creation as an outlet to keep some momentum, keep on “doing” I was frustrated that I was stuck and felt I had nowhere to turn. After she prayed for me I asked myself; What exactly does being still look like for me? These were the things that came to mind:
- Being still is to soak in God’s presence
- Not worry if my blog or YouTube is growing
- Not get caught up in what people think about me
- Telling myself that it is okay to rest
- To take more days off from Facebook
- To sit in silence and fully enjoy being present in that moment.
Being still will look different for me depending on the seasons but right at this moment in my life, this is what being still needs to look like. The clarity that God has provided me has meant that, being still and allowing myself to be present has enabled my heart to be full and my mind to be clear and free. Writing this blog was made easy, with God’s guidance.
I don’t know what you are currently facing in your life but if this blog spoke to your heart, ask God to show you what being still looks like for you. To help you meditate on how God wants you to be still in this season, I will share below some bible verses:
Be Still
Psalm 46:10 ESV
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 37:7 ESV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Exodus 14:14 ESV
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Mark 4:39 ESV
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Psalm 62:5 ESV
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
Psalm 46:1-11 ESV
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Dayana Shiplett 