All is Calm
As I write those three words, I immediately want to add, "Yeah, right."
For most of us, things are far from calm.
They are chaotic, uncertain, and stressful.
And yet, God tells us time and time again to trust Him, even in the darkest, scariest places where our lack of control is woefully apparent.
There is a word in the bible I have read but never really understood (I mean, there are tons of words I could say that about, but I'll focus on just the one today).
Forbearance.
This word takes the concept of patience a bit further; it means abstaining from action, being tolerant, and enduring a situation rather than acting on it.
Abstaining from action.
Ewe.
I am a woman of action, a fixer, a doer, and a problem solver.
I'm just supposed to wait and trust God that He will calm the storm and handle things His way and in his timing?
And while the raging is happening all around me, I am to rejoice and sit calmly, trusting God and letting His love surround me and calm my mind?
Yup, that's the idea.
Forbearance is a gift.
If we receive it, we can sit in the space between the pain, fear, and uncertainty and let the peace of God envelop us and remind us that God is near and in control.
God surrounds us with His love, and while we wait out the storm, we can rejoice and be glad in it.
Yeah, that's right.
Be glad IN it.
All is calm - not just some of it.
All of it.
Allow that calm to enter your mind, heart, and spirit today.
You don't have to do anything. You don't have to worry, what-if, react, or respond.
Forbearance is our freedom.
God is near us, beloved.
He's so near we can reach out for Him, and He will hold us close and comfort us amidst all the troubles we face.
Rejoice and be calm IN it.
Philippians 4: 4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem,
"Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such thing there is no law.