Episode #23: Burned Out or Getting There? Let's Talk About It.

The Theme of the Month is burnout and the  Word of the Week is still. Following is the corresponding devotional -- the text version of the podcast segment. Mentioned resources and links from the Desk to Desk audio only segment are at the end of the devotional.

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Still. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10 is a favorite verse for many Christians but what does being still mean -- what does it look like? 

The word still tends to bring certain images to mind -- a peaceful river, a calm spirit, quietness, but that’s only part of its meaning.  The word still is actually a translation of the Hebrew word rapa, which means to cease, to slacken or to let down. It means to stop fighting.

And of course that makes sense when you read Psalm 46:10 in context. This short psalm paints a picture of a God who is in control and of war and of nations struggling against nations. It’s spoken mostly in third person but then verse 10 comes directly from God as if He is talking to two fighting children and asking them to stop, lay down their weapons and instead, look to Him for help. 

Listen:

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth is transformed

and the mountains are toppled

into the depths of the seas,

though their waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake in the surge.

Selah

There is a river whose streams delight the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her; she will not be moved.

God will help her when morning dawns.

Nations rage, kingdoms crumble;

the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

The LORD of Hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

Come, see the works of the LORD,

who brings devastation upon the earth.

He makes wars to cease throughout the earth;

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

He burns the shields in the fire.

"Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted over the earth.”

The LORD of Hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Are you fighting a war by yourself today? Are your arms sore for holding that heavy weapon for way too long? Do you just want to catch your breath and rest a while? 

It could be time to stop whatever war you’re in. It could be a battle of your own making -- maybe you’re striving toward something with the wrong motivation or maybe the battle isn’t even yours to fight -- maybe it’s someone else’s and it’s time to let them fight your own battle. 

Or maybe the battle is yours to fight. But you’ve forgotten that help is available. 

God gave us Psalm 46 and other passages to remind us that He is the one who makes wars cease. He is the one in control. And He’s got this. Be still and know that He is God. 

Here are some of those other passages:

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:7)

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that you are in contol and that you stand ready to help if we just look to you instead of our own weapons. We lay down our weapons before you and ask for you to show us those battles we have no business fighting. We also ask for you to give us direction and show us how to fight those battles we should be fighting. Help us to be still and know you are God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Desk to Desk Links and Resources:

The question of the week is: 

What do you like to do to unwind from stress? There are no wrong answers here. Yes, time in God’s word does help relieve stress and if you want to say that, please do -- but there are other ways that help as well and I want to hear them! Email me at [email protected] or comment or message me on Instagram or Facebook.