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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



Renewing Myself: After the Holidays

Be still and know that I am God;
Psalm: 46:10a


Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are behind us with all the hectic activities they bring to most people. It seems like everyone I know tries to do so much during this period of time that they start the New Year worn out and stressed. Added to that stress is the national habit of making New Year’s resolutions that are just about impossible to keep. We set ourselves up to fail most of the time and that only adds to the stress.

Even Jesus, when with his disciples, got away from the crowds occasionally to renew his spirit and commune with his father. The scripture above tells us how to de-stress. Be still.

It is that simple; and that hard to do. Rest, relax, slow down, get away from crowds and simplify your busy schedule.

Take time to sit down, prop your feet up, and do nothing! Allow your tired body to relax and your mind to slow down. Push aside the guilt that most of us feel when we just do nothing.

Take this time to focus on the Lord. Bring conscious pictures to your mind of times when you felt closest to God, and search inside yourself for that feeling. Allow it to soothe your spirit.  Then, communicate with God. Tell him how grateful you are that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for your sins. Imagine the baby Jesus, the young boy in the Temple, Jesus on the cross, then Jesus triumphantly ascending into Heaven. See Jesus at the right hand of God, speaking up for you to the Father.

Put any stress that you feel in His glorious hands and just allow Him to carry it for you. Ask him to help you get your priorities straight; to weed out of your life the unnecessary things that cause stress and to help you with the necessary things. Then free your mind. Allow Jesus to make your way, His way.

Set aside periods of time this year in your busy schedule to “be still” and don’t let “things” push in and destroy this quiet time that is so essential for your wellbeing.

Thank you Heavenly Father for everything you do for me! I love you. Amen.

Pat Eppler    

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