How Do I Calm and Quiet My Heart?
Typically, these trips involve great food, long walks, gorgeous lake views, hiking, and a whole lot of sleep and rest.
My man calls these our, “Ahhhhh…” trips.
Each morning begins with a late wake-up time, a cup of hot coffee, and some moments looking out at the lake and the beautiful views.
Usually, the part of the lake that we look at is rather choppy. Settled near a marina, we get to see lots of boats and activity. The waters are rarely completely calm or smooth.
However, as I awoke on the Monday of our trip, I was startled to look out on the most serene waters I had ever seen on this lake. There was not a single wake, wave, or a bit of movement on the water. It was like glass.
I wished for a boat and a water ski!
And, it was in that quiet moment that I sensed the Lord prompting me to take a good, long look at that water.
As I did, the thought came to my mind,
“Is my heart calm like that water?”
“Am I at peace deep within my spirit like that calm lake water?”
At that moment, I had to admit that I was anxious, worried and stressed about so many things. My heart was not at peace, and my spirit was not calm.
And, I’m not alone.
People all around us are stressed, worried, and anxious.
People all around us are stressed, worried, and anxious. Click To Tweet
We are stressed, worried, and anxious.
The Bible addresses these issues.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!”
Even when the world is chaotic all around us, we can have calm & quiet hearts.
Even when the world is chaotic all around us, we can have calm & quiet hearts. Click To Tweet
Deep within us, there can be calm.
On that morning as I looked at that calm lake, I begin to ask the Lord to once again quiet my heart. I spent time looking through scripture at all of the references about stillness, quietness, anxiety, and worry.
Can I share with you what I discovered?
The Bible speaks at length about quietness, peacefulness, serenity, and their opposites. There are so many verses about these topics.
Be still, and know that I am God!
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence!
Be still!”
Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
He will quiet you with His love.
Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
And this righteousness will bring peace.
Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.
Are they choppy, windblown, and white-capping?
Or, do you have a heart that is deeply at rest and quiet before the Lord?
Who do I know that is really a peace-filled person?
Do I know any people who really live with a quiet spirit?
Who do I know that lives with a quiet spirit? Click To Tweet
- Calm
- Thoughtful
- Gentle
- Doesn’t overreact
- Deals in grace
- Brings you peace just by being around them
But, I am praying that I WILL BECOME one of these people and live as such… so filled with His peace that it will pass all understanding.
I’m praying that you will as well.
Well, the water skiers in the group will understand. When we ski, we want the quietest, smoothest water in the entire lake. We are drawn to it.
Similarly, when we as believers exude the fruit of the Spirit of peace and gentleness, others will be drawn to us.
They will want to understand our calm spirits in the middle of the chaos and the noise.
It is in these moments that we get to share our Peace with them!
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