I read a most insightful statement the other day: “The lake must be calm if the heavens are to be reflected on its surfr “. How true that is! In rush-hour traffic, job pressure, the pressure to excel in school, final exams,. starting the first year of college, anticipating the first baby, wondering about the upcoming wedding, facing certain surgery, or any other “pressure cooker” revelation.. .it is just HARD to stay calm. We can identify with the seaman described by the Psalmist on the stormy seas, “they mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.” [ 107:26-27]. Did you ever feel that way? From the - mountain-peak of ecstasy to the valley of despair, we fall in one swoop! No wonder we act like psychological and spiritual drunks. How can we avoid the roller coaster? Here are a few suggestions:
+ 1. Begin every morning with some quiet time with the Lord and His Word. Get up early enough to pray, study and meditate.
•:• 2. During the day, when things seem impossible, take the first small break and go talk to God about the problem. Don’t ever say that you’re too busy to take the time. You’re too busy to NOT take the time. Pray!
+ 3. In rush hour traffic before the blood pressure rises, talk to God! if you have a tape player, purchase a copy of the New Testament on tape and listen to the peace-producing Word instead of “rock” or “country”.
• 4. Cut down on your TV viewing, especially eliminating the national news for a week. Go on a spiritual fast from the secular.
• 5. End the thy as you began it.. .with the Word and with prayer!
In the scripture mentioned above, the solution for the tempest-tossed came when “...they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He inaketh the storm a calm. so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven” [ 107:28-30].
“Whosover is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord “. [ 107:4-31]. —By Los McGilliard