PSALM 46:10
Be still and know that I am God . . .
“Be still!” I remember my mother directing me with these words when I wanted to talk at the wrong time, when others were talking, or when I was making too much noise. She also used those words when my wiggling and squirming were distracting me and others around me. Often I was just too busy chattering and making noise to hear important instructions or necessary information. She knew in that moment that it was good for me to be still.
My loving Heavenly Father also tells me, “Be still”, because in those quiet moments that I can truly hear from Him. I want to be still and listen to God, but it’s so hard in this noisy, busy, chaotic world. I can get alone and shut the door, turn off the computer, T.V., CD player, I-pod, radio and telephone, but the thing I often can’t shut off is my mind! Things to do, places to go, and people to see swirl through my thoughts and just won’t let me focus on anything else. So what can I do?
Over time I’ve developed a little routine that works for me. First I get alone and shut off all the other distractions. Then I just sit and take a few slow deep breaths to slow down my mind and body, and I prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to take away other thoughts for the moment. After that, I like to sing a hymn of worship and praise, or read a poem to begin to focus my attention. As I pick up my Bible or study book, I ask the Lord to speak to me through His Word or through that still small voice as I pray. Most of the time these things really do quiet my spirit so that I can hear from God, but there are days when things I must remember keep popping into my head distracting me. When that’s the case, I grab the tablet next to my bed and jot them down, then immediately go back to my reading and prayer. Some days I actually take a few minutes to do this before I even start my quiet time with God.
It’s so easy to just grab a devotional book and read a short passage, shut the book and then be on my way. The problem is that I usually don’t focus long enough to even remember what I have read when I when I do that. So if I truly want to hear from God, I have to take the time, invest the energy, and discipline myself to be still.
Perhaps you have found ways of having a daily quiet time that are effective for you. I’d love to hear from you, so take a moment to jot a note and let me know about it. You can send your message to annshorb@ccesonline.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Loving Heavenly Father, I know that You want to speak to me. Help me to learn to be still and to listen attentively to Your voice.
By Ann Shorb
© Copyright Ann Shorb, 2009
Skits for Fun and Learning
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Hi Ann, I’m a Christian; my 92 yr old neighbor (a Christian) experiences panic attacks when she is left alone, until she has to run off to different neighbors and relatives (which isn’t convienient for her or the others) She has had various counciling sessions plus medication which hasn’t helped. She is still able to take care of herself and her home except for this area concerning the attacks. How can I help her to be comfortable alone? Thank you Joan
Joan, it’s nice to hear of your concern for this elderly neighbor. Since I don’t know all of the facts involved, I can’t really give a definitive answer to your question but here are some thoughts.
If these panic attacks only occur when she is alone, it would appear that they are related to fears of being by herself–perhaps a fear of being hurt in some way, falling ill or even dying, and having no one around. If that’s the case, then providing her with emergency numbers and such resources might be of help. Also working out a plan to have various people check in on her from time to time might reassure her. Many times people who don’t like being alone benefit from having a radio or television on even though they are not really paying full attention to it because it brings the sound of human voices into the home and breaks the silence. It also distracts them from worrying about their fears.
There may be some other physical cause for her panic attacks, but that is something she would have to explore with her medical doctor.