Purpose in Pain: Be Still

Regardless of what you are going through, this is powerful advice. And in a world of “rush rush rush,” this is something we don’t do enough of. And in the event that we consider slowing down for a moment, we often feel condemned. I challenge you to trade in your “GO GO GO” life for a few minutes of “standing in awe of God.” (Ecc. 5:7 NIV)

There are many places in scripture where we are encouraged to rest…not to mention that from the beginning of creation God set aside an entire day for that specific purpose!

A few years back our Sunday morning Bible study class was going through the book of Ruth. One morning one verse practically jumped off the page at me. After Ruth returns from, for lack of a better word, proposing to Boaz, Naomi gives some very wise advice when she says, “Sit still my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out;” (Ruth 3:18). Are you going through something difficult, exhausting, or confusing right now? Take wisdom from Solomon (he’s a pretty good source for wisdom) when he says in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

So please, for the health of your spirit and the sanity of your mind, take time to just be in His presence. Let Him speak to your heart and give you new insight and understanding. And allow the God of all to give you rest for your soul.