I love the sound of silence. Silence punctuated by the sound of running water, the rustling of leaves, and the chirping of birds is also just as good. Growing up in the bustling capital city of my island home didn't afford a lot of opportunities for outward silence and it took a tremendous amount of discipline to achieve inner silence. Left unchecked, the mind is like an elementary school playground during recess. We are always thinking, always planning, and being surrounded by a vast amount and array of stimulants, additional thoughts are constantly invading our already noisy mind.
It may come as a surprise to some that the mind needs true peace to calm down its unpredictable and never ending flow of thoughts and feelings. True peace is rest in the mind, and to compensate for the lack of it some people often try to create a false peace with alcohol, drugs, sex, or other addictions. Some have tried self-assurance, reachable expectations, and various forms of meditation. These provide very temporary moments of respite but no lasting peace. Of course, true peace can only be found in being in the will of God; it is a gift from God found only through Christ. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). For the child of God to really settle his or her mind, the peace offered by the world is a poor substitute. We need the peace that only Christ can give.
To be in the will of God is to abide in the peace of God. When we are in His will there is no need to worry, doubt, or fear; these are the activities that often keep our minds busy. These are replaced by an unwavering faith in our God's ability to take care of the things that pertain to us. We can rest in His care. It is no wonder the Psalmist declares, "My soul waits in silence only for God; from Him comes my salvation (Ps. 62:2); a salvation that includes his peace. Though life may be hard, though our bodies be frail, though pain is our companion, and life is unpredictable, when it seems our minds are on the verge of being overwhelmed, by God's grace we can find stillness; we can find silence within. I am praying that for you.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The God of All Comfort
One of the most meaningful attributes of a relationship is the ability to find comfort, when needed, in the company of those we hold dear. Because life isn't always fair we are often faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, and we can relate to the Apostle Paul in feeling troubled on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8). However, as difficult as Paul's experiences were, there was one profound truth he mentioned to the Corinthians - The God he served was not only the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, but He was also "the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our [troubles]" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, KJV).
Those times of troubles are the times we feel most vulnerable and most misunderstood. We cannot find the words to express our thoughts and while we go around seemingly at ease, inwardly the struggle continues; the invisible dark cloud seem to follow us everywhere. It is during these times we can find comfort in the assurance that we have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities [feebleness of body or mind]. Not only is He intimately aware of what we are going through, but in Him we can find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In the same way that a parent stands ready with open and loving arms to receive and embrace a child who is hurting, God stands ready with open and loving arms also. When no one else understands, He does. When there are no words to express the way we feel, He knows our thoughts and He feels our hurts. When the tears flow, they speak a language that only He understands. No matter how long it takes to see us through, He will never run out of patience. On the days we struggle, He doesn't give up on us. In Him we can confide our deepest fears, our innermost longings, and know that they are safe with Him.
The God of all comfort. Reassuring, isn't it?
Those times of troubles are the times we feel most vulnerable and most misunderstood. We cannot find the words to express our thoughts and while we go around seemingly at ease, inwardly the struggle continues; the invisible dark cloud seem to follow us everywhere. It is during these times we can find comfort in the assurance that we have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities [feebleness of body or mind]. Not only is He intimately aware of what we are going through, but in Him we can find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In the same way that a parent stands ready with open and loving arms to receive and embrace a child who is hurting, God stands ready with open and loving arms also. When no one else understands, He does. When there are no words to express the way we feel, He knows our thoughts and He feels our hurts. When the tears flow, they speak a language that only He understands. No matter how long it takes to see us through, He will never run out of patience. On the days we struggle, He doesn't give up on us. In Him we can confide our deepest fears, our innermost longings, and know that they are safe with Him.
The God of all comfort. Reassuring, isn't it?
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