HUSH

Learn to Settle

Be still (cease striving, settle down) and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10

Consider:

Are your favorite conversations with those who talk non-stop about themselves, without giving you an opportunity to say a word?

NO? I didn’t think so.

Too often, our time with God is exactly like that—which is why He inserted verse 10 into Psalm 46.

God desires/needs quality time with us so that He can reveal himself to us.
This means a two-way conversation, not a monologue.
Even times of silence are profitable.
Remember He speaks most frequently in a still small voice.

We are not good with silence, not with closing our mouths, not with shushing our thoughts, and not with stilling/settling our souls. Practice, determination, training are required.

Anchor 1

Settling Principles:

God has much to say, if we will listen. Repeatedly He calls us to be silent.
God’s speech is far more valuable/profitable than what we have to say.
If we hear Him first, then often what we had to say becomes unnecessary.
Prayer is a two way conversation. Leave plenty of space for Him to speak.
Walk as close friends, who do not need to fill every silence with words.
Our enemy Satan vigorously opposes silence before God, so expect difficulty. Read more . . .

Settling Struggles:

--Mind running in a bazillion directions—Keep a 3x5 card or paper with you. Jot down the issues which arise, or things to be remembered, or requests to be made. Declare them to be dealt with later, that they are not on this moment’s agenda.

--Distractions will come; it’s to be expected. Beware of being trapped twice by them. First you may spent time mulling over them. Second you may waste time berating yourself for being distracted. Either way Satan wins. Read more . . .

--Restlessness is fidgety, noisy and distracting. Speak the name of Jesus as prayer, as question, as worship, as love, to draw you back to Him. You can use the Lord’s Prayer slowly, meditatively to overcome a restless spirit. Read more . . .

Anchor 2

Anchor 3

Settling Exercises:

Take a leisurely walk, alone, without the phone. Read more . . .
Pull weeds in your yard, a park, along the street. Read more . . .
Use routine tasks that don't require a lot of thought. Read more . . .

“Fix ourselves firmly in the presence of God by conversing all the time with him… A little perseverance was needed at first to form the habit of conversing all the time with God and referring all actions to him.”

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

“Pray without ceasing.” Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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