Let Go of the Fret

Never watch the news before breakfast.

It ruins your appetite and will give you a knot in your stomach the size of a cantaloupe.  For me, it gets me fretting and worrying about where this world is headed, what kind of future my kids will have 20 years from now and how much longer can we survive as a country as we know it.  

And that's just a start.

So before I've even had my cup of tea and my brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal, my day is in turmoil and I am feeling a great amount of distress.  Thankfully, today l made time for my 'daily bread' and it soothed my sour stomach like nothing else could.  Here is what it served today:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)

Feeling a little better but there was more:

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress....Be still, and know that I am God.  (Psalm 46 2-3, 6-7,10)

I can hear Him this morning "Be still...do not fret...do not fear...the Lord Almighty is with you...be still."  His words, soothing me, comforting me, calming me...

A couple of years ago a friend shared a word study she had done on Psalm 46:10.  She said that in the original language the words 'be still' meant 'let go'.  I'll say that again:  the words 'be still' mean 'LET GO'.  As in let go of the fear, let go of the worries, let go of the doubts, just let go....

How many things do I hang on to and think about over and over until I am all worked up?  How many times have I laid in bed at night stressing out about some issue that in the end, really wasn't that important after all? How many times have I obsessed about a circumstance until it took over my day, my attitude...my hope?

I needed to be reminded this morning that I am not in control. 

And my fretting and worrying will not change one thing.  

(Except to give me a sour stomach and a bad attitude.  What a great way to start the day, huh?)

I needed to be reminded that though "the mountains may fall, the waters roar and foam and the nations are in an uproar," I can (and should)

Be. Still.

Let. It. Go.

And know that He is in control. 

Ahhh...So. Much. Better.  

(Anyone up for some breakfast?)

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What things do you need to let go of today?

 


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