Be still and know...

"Cease Striving and know that I am God"--Psalm 46:10

"Cease striving and know that I am God."--Psalm 46:10.  This passage is extremely close to my heart.  Other translations read as "Be still, and know that I am God."  According to a side note in my Bible the phrase "cease striving" is also translated "Let go, relax."  This Psalm speaks of God being our refuge and how He can make even the most troublesome of times come to an end.  Among other things, verse 9 says He even makes wars come to an end. The whole Psalm is only 11 verses long.  I encourage you to read it here: Psalm 46:1-11.

Be still and know that I am God. We live in a society that is always on the move.  I spent 8 years of my life in Southern California.  Southern California is not as laid back as its reputation says it is.  Life moves so quickly out there.  But its true in most of the world.  We live in a society that is so fast paced. We seem to always be in a rush.  Rather than enjoying the here and now we wonder "What's next?"  In today's society  being still and waiting on God seems to be a thing of the past. Sad but true.

But it's in troubled times when being still and waiting on God is especially difficult.  I look back on the last 4 and a half years of my life, and reflect on the struggles those years have held for me.  The main scenario was watching my dad's physical and mental health deteriorate without being able to do a thing about it except to make sure he was comfortable in every way until the day he died just a little over two months ago. There was nothing I could do except to be still and know that God is God. Now that he is gone, I struggle with not being able to see him on this side of heaven anymore. Other struggles are going on in my life as well but God is bringing me and those involved (family and friends) through it all.  I thank God that God has given me these people, like you the reader, to help me through these bittersweet times that have joy in there as well.  Your readership is one of many encouragements that I have received just within the last two months. Thank you guys.

My only encouragement to you tonight is slow down, be still and know that God is God.  He will bring you through everything you may encounter, good and bad. So slow down, be still, know that God is God, and enjoy and cherish the time you have with those you love and care about.  This was a more personal note as well as a devotional thought. Thanks for reading guys. This one is dedicated to YOU. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! LOVE Y'ALL! GOD BLESS!