Regaining Peace

My mind spins endlessly

The what-ifs of life tumbling around
cluttering my mind,
leaving little room for peace.
Exhaustion envelops me
a familiar shawl weighing me down
yet sleep eludes me.

Anxious habits are hard to break

I need to let go; let God.
Scriptual phrases break into jumbled thoughts
like lightning illuminating the night.
“Do not worry...”
“Do not be anxious...”
“I am with you...”
“I will not forsake you...”
A calming mantra pushing out the worry.

I take a breath

release my fears
drift into sleep.

One more thing,
it'll only take a moment;
Hold on, one minute
just let me do one more thing.

One more thing turns into two
then three
now four.
How many more
before I sit and rest;
release my concerns to you,
quiet my mind,
hear You speak to me?

You wait patiently
watching me run to and fro.
Longing for me to stop,
turn to You
sit in Your presence.

Can you feel it?
In the way the wind blows,
the crispness of the air.
Colors and smells change
slowly, subtly.
A new season is beginning.

Do you perceive it?
In the way you carry yourself,
the joy and peace now radiating.
Beliefs and thoughts change
slowly, subtly.
He is doing a new thing.

Upsurge

An ordinary day begins
nothing special
nothing tragic.
             Yet stress builds up:
                         pressure rises up like a wave
                             slamming against me with sudden force.
                                                              Anxiety swirls around me;
                                                                a whirlpool of the unknown.
                                                   Nerves, frayed around the edges,
                                                   threaten to completely unravel.
                                                                          Just one word
                                                                          one thought
                                                                         one look
                                                                 is all it takes
                                                    and I come undone
             carried away by the tide of my emotions
                                             into a perilous sea.

                                                               I kick and flail
                                                                      fighting for control;
                                                                       exhaustion takes over.
                                                                                        Starting to sink
                                                                            I utter a prayer of frustration;
                                                                                            "Jesus help me
                                                                                         I can't go on."
                                                                                Closing my eyes
                                                                              I give way;
                                                                surrender my will.

Slowly, subtly, the churning sea calms

and I float with the current.

Basking in the warmth of Your radiant light

You take my hand and together we walk on the waves.

"When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."   Isaiah 43:2

God speaks

through pastors and speakers;

In sermons and hymns

on a Sunday morning and midweek services.

God speaks

through the miraculous.

Doubt changes to unwavering belief;

powerful testimonies soften stone hearts.

God speaks

through glorious sunsets,

skies lush with stars,

and caverns carved out of mountains.

God speaks

through the storm;

A rainbow reminding us

His promises are sure.

God speaks

through a comforting presence

in the midst of pain and grief;

a gentle, soothing whisper.

God speaks

through the lyrics of a song,

the laughter of a child,

words from a close friend.

God speaks

Are you listening?

What do you do when the pain runs too deep

when an "I'm sorry" just won't do?

How do you soothe a soul that's hurting,

torn and shredded by a trusted friend?

How do you undo the damage

of a lie believed?

Careless words have been twisted and rumors sent spinning

a cyclone of misunderstanding that cannot be stopped

its fuel gossip, a steady wind of whispers;

listen too closely and you'll hear it

right before it catches you up

landing you far from home

confused, furious,

betrayed.

Apologies can only go so far;

covering up the wounds

yet the scars still bleed raw.

Seek Yaweh Rapha

for He alone holds lasting balm

bringing freedom, restoring trust,

healing for a broken friendship.