Take Time to Be Filled
Too often, I find myself acting out of fear. I make decisions based on what I think will please others, afraid of criticism. I say yes to requests that make me uncomfortable or don’t seem like my best yes because I’m afraid of rejection if I say no. I refrain from sharing my dreams and desires out of fear of being laughed at or being ridiculed if I fail.
God doesn’t want us to live afraid.
He tells his people many times in Scripture not to be afraid:
- God told Abram not to be afraid when he was worried that he wouldn’t have an heir to carry on his family line: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Gen. 15:1 NIV).
- God encouraged Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9 NIV).
- Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid on the night he’s betrayed: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).
- Peter encourages Christians in Asia Minor by reminding them that they are not alone: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for her cares about you” (1 Pet. 5:7 NLT).
These stories give me the encouragement I need to move beyond fear in my decision-making.
When the Bible admonishes someone not to be afraid, the comfort offered is not a five-step plan for overcoming their fear. Nor is it a clear vision of the future. It’s a reminder that they’re not alone, that it’s God himself who’s with them. God tells us to lean into him, to share our concerns with him, and then trust that it’s all in his hands.
I’ve struggled with allowing fear and anxiety to overwhelm me at times. I’ve ruminated on things that haven’t happened or that I can’t control. I desperately want my fears to be assuaged. Often, I forget that God is waiting to exchange my worry for peace. Instead, I try to do more and work harder, hoping busyness will be the answer.
I know that getting quiet and still before God can provide the balm my soul needs, but in the moment, it seems like unproductive time. Our culture tells us that is we’re not doing something that can be measured or photographed and called useful by others, then it’s a waste of time. This is why so many of us feel wrung out and exhausted. We don’t actually take time to be filled with the peace and love of God.
Many of us fit in a devotional or some reading and prayer somewhere in the day, but we expect those fifteen minutes to cover our entire day. We need continuous refreshment through God’s presence throughout our day. We can’t drink one glass of water when we wake up and expect to be hydrated for the entire day. We need to drink multiple times a day. That’s how it is with God.
We need to return regularly to God and receive his living water.
It’s easy to stay busy and distracted for an entire day, believing our productivity is proof that we’re being wise with our time. What would happen if we allowed ourselves to take several small respites throughout the day to reconnect with God? What if we spent a minute or two in silence and stillness and asked God to refresh us for whatever is coming next? What if we inventoried our thoughts and, when we discovered worry or anxiety, shared it with God and asked him to replace it with his peace? Surely we can pause regularly and check in with our Creator.
I’ve been trying to do this more myself. I bucked against spending parts of each day in meditation and stillness for a long time, believing it wasn’t a good use of my time. Then I was introduced to an app that will buzz my phone with a reminder at assigned times throughout the day. When I open the app, I’m guided through a short meditation. There have been numerous times when I’ve seen the notifications and continued with my day, only realizing at bedtime that I completely skipped them. I’m human, after all. On the days when I do stop, it feels like a mini reset button for the next part of the day. I usually close my eyes, take deep breaths, and listen to the Scripture and affirmations the app recites. It’s just a couple of minutes, but it helps remind me that God is with me and will provide for my needs. I don’t need to worry or be afraid of the future. It’s become something that helps keep me centered and less anxious.
Perhaps an app wouldn’t work for you, but spending purposeful moments reconnecting with God throughout the day is something everyone can benefit from. May Scripture remind and encourage us that we need not be anxious or fearful, for our God is with us.
enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and introverting. She loves nothing better than discovering a wanted book in a thrift store or hiking alongside a river with her family or a good friend somewhere around her home of Asheville, NC. She’s the author of Between Us Girls and can be found chronicling her reading and writing journey @megan.e.byrd on Instagram or writing about life at www.meganbyrd.net.
Photograph © Motoki Tonn, used with permission
