She was in the middle of a bona-fide meltdown. Like an old rubber-band, she’d been stretched too far one time too many. Looking back, I’m not sure why I acted as I did. I suspect it was simply because I understood the stress she felt.
I pulled her onto my lap and wrapped my loving arms around her weary body. I wasn’t sure how she’d respond. Would she resist? Tell me to back off? Think my gesture was over the top?
She pressed her head to my chest, and…relaxed. Chaos turned to calm.
She was my daughter and she wasn’t six. She was sixteen.
I’ve often thought how nice it would be to be a child again; to have someone take charge of calming any internal anxiety or external angst by simply allowing me to sink into their serenity, infusing me with their strength. (Ah…bliss.)
The truth is, the same meltdown scenario could happen (does happen!) to those of us who are 26, 36, 56, or 86. Life can stretch us beyond our capacity to flex one more time, for one more minute.
And we snap.
Is there any hope that can help ward off meltdowns before they happen? Or help us recover when they do?
This morning I read the words of Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (v 1)
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (v 10)
The familiar scripture recaptured my heart and I wanted to know more. What would it look like for me to be still and know?
So, I did I word study on the phrase “be still”(or as some versions read, “cease striving”) and on the word translated “know. What I discovered was just too good not to share with you.
The word translated, “be still” can also be rendered, “sink” or “relax”. “Know” means to acknowledge or to live aware.
So the verse could read, “Relax, sink into Me, and acknowledge that I am God.”
Immediately, my memory reeled backwards and the image of my stressed-out teenage daughter came flooding back.
What I did for my child, God wants to do for His child. Namely, you.
Will you let Him?
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28)
Why not take five minutes to read Psalm 46 and let your heart be strengthened, encouraged and comforted by God, Himself?
Last week I launched a short (5-10 minute) video series called, “Weekly Wisdom: Strength for the Weary” on Facebook and Instagram. I’ll be adding a new video each week for the next few weeks. After all we’ve collectively experienced in the last few months, I figured I’m not the only one who could use a little encouragement to endure, and instruction on how to stay strong. I’d love for you to watch and comment on how God uses His Word to help infuse you with new strength and the ability to endure well.
Until then, your Heavenly Father has a message for you: “Shhh…precious child. Be still. Relax. Sink into my love. And know that I. Am. God.
You are loved,
Donna
You can follow Donna on Instagram @donnaajones. On Facebook you’ll find Donna at Donna Jones, Speaker & Author.
