It was still extremely cold, roads still messy. So we were staying in yet again for another day. “Stay in! Stay warm! Stay safe!” Those words had been shared a lot over the past few days as the winter storm made its way through the area.
Stay. I took out my journal and started considering the many ways the Lord would have me consider this simple, profound principle; stay.
Stay calm.
Stay calm, resting in the comfort and beauty of the Lord’s sweet presence, no matter what a day brings.
I’ve learned a few things living here in these West Virginia
mountains the last 30 years, and one is that weather is something totally unpredictable. They do the best they can with the tools and technology available, but when it comes down to it, the Creator is still ultimately in charge. A storm like this one, and the one just a few days prior, calls for awareness, preparedness, and definitely the ability to stay calm. Trees can come down, power may go out, and in some places the roads are impassable. The better choice is to stay in, stay warm, and stay safe as much as possible.
We find many of these same admonishments in God’s Word; encouragements, warnings, guidance, counsel.
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord
are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for
living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The Laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are
sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your
servant, a great reward for those who obey them.”
Psalms 19:7-8
We plan. We assume. We presume to know what a day will bring. And it is right to plan, think ahead, prepare. But in the end, when things don’t turn out like we planned? When life doesn’t land us where we thought we would be? When the day is interrupted with the unexpected, when sadness sneaks in, when grief attempts to steal joy, when frustrations mount with each disappointment, when any given day holds more than we can handle? What then?
Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you (I Peter 5:7). He really does care. And when we choose to stay calm and rest in that care, He clears the cobwebs, and we can better see the situation for what it is. He comforts the soul, and we can feel His love and presence when we need it most.
Just now, like those snowflakes that appeared to be in slow motion, slow down and be still in His presence. Direct your thoughts to His Word. Talk to Him, or just whisper His name until the calm takes over and the joy begins to bring a smile to your heart. Let Him take control of the moment.
“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalms 46:10
Stay calm.
