Unshaken: 7 Days to Find Peace in the Middle of AnxietySýnishorn

Safe in Stillness

Stillness can feel scary when you’re used to staying busy to avoid anxious thoughts. But stillness is where you hear God speak in that still small voice.

The more we practice slowing down we’ll find it doesn’t increase our anxiety. Being fully present allows us to actually process it and release it. Stillness isn’t weakness, it's warfare. It’s where fear fades and identity in Christ returns.

If you’ve ever felt like your heavy heart tempts you to panic or over exert yourself in endless problem solving, then you’ll start to feel weighed down. It can feel like you might sink! Here's an analogy in nature to think about. Quicksand itself won't typically cause death by drowning, as humans are less dense than quicksand and will float, but it can lead to death through other means. This can include exhaustion from struggling. Also, predators can be a factor if they sense easy prey due to isolation or weariness. Think about how our internal world is much the same. When we’re flailing around in worry and forgetting to breathe, we’re actually using valuable energy in a way that doesn’t serve us and can keep us stuck. The enemy knows if he can keep us in a constant state of anxiety we will create a lifestyle of fatigue, depletion and unrest.

Let God quiet the noise today. Not because the circumstances have changed but because you’ve surrendered in His presence.

Prayer:
Father, help me be still. Quiet my anxious thoughts with Your love and remind me that I’m safe with You. Help me to relax my grip, let go of my striving and accept Your peace that holds me.

Journal Prompt:
Where are you resisting stillness?

How could you invite God into that quiet space?