As we head into this very busy month (many of us are already very much immersed), these two verses are heavy on my mind and heart...because they are challenging...especially right now."Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10
Take time this Christmas season, to just be still and reflect on God and His place in your life... one of my favorite times to do this, is early morning or late at night, when the rest of the house is sleeping, and I curl up on couch with a mug of something warm to drink, turn off all the lights except for the Christmas tree, have some soft instrumental Christmas music playing, and just enjoy the calm.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in ALL circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16
It's easy to get caught up in the commercialization of this season, and when you're stuck in holiday traffic, holiday shopping lines, running late for a party, drowning in a sea of to-do lists, feeling tension in relationships, dealing with fussy children, and all the other stresses that impose themselves upon us during this month, it is HARD to do these three things...but this is God's will for us. Make a special effort to plan ahead so that you are better able to do these things and when those trials come, try to remember to whole-heartedly rejoice (not just over a great sale!), pray without ceasing (not just about that long line of red taillights in front of you!), and to give thanks in ALL circumstances (not just the ones that are easy and obvious!).
These things are what I am preaching to myself today. Hope they are encouraging to you also.
If you missed my Thanksgiving post, you can read it here.
linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays
3 comments:
Thanks for the reminder and I love these verses to reflect on. It's hard to slow down and reflect on the things we should. Thank you for these words. I needed to hear them as I am freaking out from my house being out of order from me being sick. I start to panic when my house gets too dirty and I can't catch up. I need to learn to take one day at a time. Oh and Happy Birthday...you have awesome parents who helped you celebrate the whole month! How fun!!!
Happy Belated Birthday!
Being still in the living room with only the lights from the Christmas tree is one of my favorite things to do, too. We are leaving for Florida two weeks from Saturday, so I am fighting the "hurry up and get it all done" panic- we don't even have a tree yet! I have to constantly remind myself that, as Ann Voskamp says, Life is not an emergency. I will be praying for a peaceful Christmas for you as I remember my own need to be quiet!
Oh, and I just read this from Elisabeth Elliot- sounds like you are doing all the right things. :)
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/12/01/six-helps-for-sufferers/
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