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Do you ever feel afraid of what’s going to happen next… not only in our country, or in our world, but in your own life?
This past weekend as I was waiting to board a plane to fly to Washington Dulles airport for a women’s retreat, I felt a little twinge of anxiety for the first time in forever.
I looked around attentively at the other passengers waiting at the gate, wondering if any of them posed a safety threat. I knew it was silly, but I still found myself trying to read their faces; looking at their carry on back packs and bags and speculating if anything dangerous might have slipped through security. Then I became fixed on a man talking on the phone in a foreign accent and wearing a gold shirt with the words SOLDIER across his back in big black letters.
My mind could have quickly drifted to a thousand “what-ifs”, but God gently whispered to my spirit and reminded me of His promise in Psalm 46. It was a Psalm that I was going to be speaking about over the weekend, and as I allowed those promises to sink into my heart, it was as if suddenly I could breathe again. I paused to remember that He was with me, and there was no need to fear.
You see, the horrific events of the past few weeks been so heavy on my heart as tragic stories and heartbreaking pictures saturated the news. The Boston Marathon bombing, the massive floods in the mid-West, the plant explosion in Texas, the Ricin political letters, the earthquakes and tragedies overseas. When we see senseless tragedies taking place and innocent people slain and injured, one can’t help but harbor a bit of fear deep inside their heart. We wonder what’s happening to our world, why are people so evil, and how can we ever feel safe?
The promises tucked into Psalm 46 (NLT) are a perfect place to focus when we begin to feel fearful about the future and the unknown in any aspect of life. It is an awesome passage to remind us that no matter what, God is with us.
Psalm 46: 1-4 says “God is our refuge and strength,always ready to help in times of trouble.So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” Interlude
In this section of the passage we are reminded God is our Protector. He is where we find strength to get through tough times when we are afraid. When the earth crumbles from earthquakes or bombs, floods abound, avalanches roar – He is our refuge. A safe place to flee. A place to pause and breathe in His strength.
Psalm 46:5-7 says “A river brings joy to the city of our God,the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos,and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders,and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Interlude
 In this section, we see that God’s Presence is always with us through “a river”. It’s interesting to note that there was no river in Jerusalem – so the river mentioned here was God Himself. You see, Egypt had the Nile River and Rome had the Tiber River, but Jerusalem had the River of God – a river flowing from the throne of God Himself. Even when nations are at odds, God’s Presence was with His people, and that was all they really needed. Revelation 22:1 also speaks to this, “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
The River of God will flow into our hearts every day if we allow it to. We can pause and breathe knowing His Presence is with us.
Psalm 46:8-11 says “Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;the God of Israel is our fortress.” Interlude
Although the world is in chaos, God is still God. He is still on the throne. Still a place of refuge. Still mighty. Still faithful. He is still on the throne in the same Almighty Position as always. If we believe that, we do need not fear. When we believe that God is still God, our hearts can be still and rest in His sovereignty. We can trust in situations where we are fearful. We can pause and breathe.
And Psalm 46 tells us to do exactly that. You see, in all three sections in this passage, each one ends with the word Interlude. The definition of “interlude” is to pause or break. A few synonyms for “interlude” are breathing space, delay, halt, hiatus, intermission, and rest.
This passage reminds us that God is our Protector, so we can pause and breathe. His Presence is with us, so we can pause and breathe. He is in a Position of authority over this world, and we can pause and breathe. We need not fear, because He is still here, and as a result, our hearts can be still and know that He is God.
Maybe fear has been knocking at your heart lately, and just maybe, you need to pause and breathe today, allowing Him to settle the anxiousness in your heart. Pause and remember that God is your Protector, His Presence is with you, and He is in the highest Position of authority. Then, just breathe.
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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
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Don’t know how I missed this post last month but I did. Probably because I didn’t need it then-I do now. I thank God for you, Tracie, he has truly blessed you to be a blessing to others.
Tracie,Thanks for reminding me of God’s Promises.I just had two family members pass in less than two weeks time.Also after that a motorcycle ran into one of our SUV’s with my husband sitting inside it in a parked place.Our SUV is badly damaged.We can easily fix that.However,thank God my husband is safe.
I am overwhelmed by the continued chaos around me–chaos in our home and schedule. For much of the school, I look to summer break as a chance to start over, with a clean slate so to speak. As my kids get older and more involved in their activities and interests, this dream of a clean slate falls further and further away from me, and I get stuck where I stand because finding peace in this state has become so difficult for me.
WE HAVE a 7 and 9 year old and i cant seem to have many moments during the day to think freely without one of them saying “Mommy look at this” or the dreaded “Mommy make her/him stop!’ they are gifts from GOD above and I have been really thinking of them lately as God’s children. Ive even written this on my hand to remind me to do what God tells me to raise them HIS way! God bless you and I pray that you will have a stress less summer!
I always think I’ll accomplish more in the summer…but I don’t. E en more stress!
First off I have 14 year old twins! That in itself can be stressful. One of the most stressful things this summer is that I am trying to juggle my twins sports schedules. My son plays in 2 baseball leagues, plus football for high school has had weight training 3 mornings a week and 2 weeks of football camp already. Then there is my daughter’s sports. She has a softball league she is on plus she is going to volleyball practices 3 days a week and softball practice for high school one day a week. What is the most frustrating is that one of my son’s leagues doesn’t tell you where and when their games are until the day before. I don’t roll that way. Another stress is just the attitude of 14 year olds. They know everything! My one saving grace is that God has allowed me to quit my job and I am able to focus on my children and their activities and He has put some exciting women’s ministry opportunities out there for me. God is Great!
I like summer because I don’t have to worry about getting my son up in the morning for school. But summer as stresses me, since he doesn’t feel like he should do anything,( “you know it is my summer break”, his words). Then I explain to him that I don’t get a summer break & he could ease up on me if he would help me out some. He is getting better as he gets older, but still a little stress full. I do love summer time because we can go camping, our families favorite thing to do. Camping, fishing, & cooking out, LOVE IT.
Summer should be such an enjoyable time but it stresses me trying to find things for the kids to do that is fun but stimulating along with trying to balance work with the kids being out of school and keeping them cared for but having fun! It seems unlike to summer for a break and rejuvenation period to start over feel for the next school year but I never seem to complete everything that needs to be done by summer end!
I get stressed out because I have to work and our two kids, ages 13 and 15, are home alone. They have sports camps, piano lessons, and other activities that they participate in. We have to rely on my dad, who’s 77, to help get them places.
Summer is my favorite time of the year also. I am a Florida girl and love to be at the beach or pool. However, I do get stressed out because I teach during the school year and I have three children 11, 9, and 6. We have such a tight schedule during the school year, that when summer comes, we have a hard time staying on track and getting things done. That is when the whining, arguing, and temper tantrums begin. I some times feel like a referee more than a mommy.
Summer is very stressful because there are so many things to juggle: camps and activities, playdates, appointments, household responsibilities, etc. The hardest thing is keeping the kids busy and not bored.
I love summer my kids are home and I try to enjoy them. It is just really stressful when they argue, complain and they don’t want to help with things round the house. I have 4 plus a stepdaughter ages boys 15 1/2 and 4, girls 14, 10 and 7. I don’t ask much of my kids just get along and help a little, they would much rather lay around Ethan and watch T.V. This summer is more stressful because of our finances are tight and we are moving plus still cleaning our basement that got flooded in April. We have more stress then before.
I love summer…but trying to please everyone and being able to do all that needs to be done can be stressful! Also, my husband’s summer job is more stressful than teaching during the school year! So thankful that Jesus helps us through!