Wait for the LORD

I am starting a new thing and I feel it: the tightness in my chest, thoughts of self-doubt beginning to wash over me. If I'm not careful, I will be swept away into that same 'ole cycle of dread. Well, not today, satan!!

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Oh, how I love my morning devotional time!

I sit in a comfy chair with a blanket, an open journal, a pen and a warm cup of coffee.

Sitting still is not easy, so I set a timer for 5 minutes. Then, I just wait.

No pressure. Simply writing whatever impressions come to mind.

At the top of my page today I wrote "Speak, LORD. Your servant is listening." - a favorite verse from our current Tuesday night Bible study.

If only I could be like that little boy!

Anyway, as I was sitting there this morning, I felt the tightness in my chest rising up. And I thought; "No! I will wait! This is NOT from the LORD."

Suddenly, the words from the refrain of Peace Be Still whispered through my mind: "Let faith rise up... Oh, heart, believe! Let faith rise up in me..."

Faith, not panic. Peace, not fear.

And at that moment I decided: "I will NOT trust what I am feeling. This is not from God!"

So I wrote in my journal "Your Word and Your promises are more. I will move forward without fear. Without worry."

Even as I write these words now, my heart wells up and my eyes fill with tears - it's the hope, the belief, the peace of knowing He fights for me!

Well, if that wasn't encouraging enough...

As soon as the words were written, I closed my journal firmly. Ready to move on with my day.

I opened to the daily Bible readings and the first reading for today was Psalm 24:7-14. 

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. 

Is our God good or what?!!! It felt like a secret message, a Divine confirmation of the thoughts I'd earlier believed to be my own.

This is exactly the reminder I needed today and I hope it encourages you too.

Humbly, I ask you to accept it as your own.

Divine reassurance to know that faith is real. He is real.

And He is waiting for all of us to just be still.

Comment below with your best atrategy for coping with anxiety 👇