Spiritual Self-Care in Times of Trauma, Stress, and Loss Esimerkki

Be Still... and Listen

Being still is so foreign to us! We are programmed to be in GO mode. We believe that faster and busier is better! 

Even as you read this, I wonder if you’re thinking about what you’ll do next. (I would be.) 

There’s a good reason why God told us to be still. And along with it to know that He is God. Worldly advice affirms that stillness is good, but sadly it leaves out the part about knowing He is God.

It feels normal to be on the move. Even when we do have down time, we overload our minds with nonstop stimulation. Most of us aren’t even aware that we have enslaved ourselves to perpetual fight or flight survival… adrenaline and all.

This is one more opportunity to choose self-care. But how?

Find a regular time every day. All alone. Get comfortable. Put on soothing music if it helps you relax or just revel in the bliss of silence. Breathe. Feel your body let go. Give yourself permission to not DO anything.

Then listen. Think about the Lord. Quote Scripture if you want. Keep listening. It usually takes me about 10 minutes to finally relax. To really be still.

Then listen for your Shepherd’s voice. Because he loves you.