This morning I’m reflecting on a passage in the book of Psalm. Right now I am overwhelmed with emotion. If I’m being honest, I’m still working out what emotions I feel: Joy, sorrow, love, awe.
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” Psalm 37: 7-9
I counselor people… That’s what I do as a profession… I can’t tell you how many times I have heard those on the other end of the conversation become angry at other’s schemes and unrighteous, ungodly acts. Sin wrecks people! Sins committed against us automatically
(if significant enough) cause a negative reaction in our hearts, and if the sinful act is consistent can cause our minds to be subconsciously conditioned to react in future conditions. For example, a woman who has grown up in an abusive home, with a father who yells and screams will likely be triggered (in that current moment) emotionally and physically when her husband raises his voice. This is an instinctual, physiological reaction to her environment. The amygdala in her brain becomes instantly overworked causing her mind and body to react with ‘fight, flight, or freeze.’
This passage from Psalm gives us an impossible instruction. Physically and mentally this instruction of ‘be still’ and staying calm while not fretting is physically and physiologically impossible… without the Lord. However, through and with the Lord nothing is impossible. God has given us the spirit of Himself to dwell inside our heart. And that spirit intercedes for us during difficult times.
I’ve personally witnessed a ‘trigger response’ from many people in the past. Without God we are ill-equipped, but with Him, and through Him we can conquer all.
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