Be Still... And Know

Today has been a tough one emotionally. It's going on midnight and I'm still trying to bring all my emotions into check so that I might begin to wind down and hopefully find some sleep tonight. I love what I do as Pastor and would really never want to do anything else. But there are times that it is just overwhelming. For sometime I've been fending off personal attacks and not allow those to get to me... but truth is, sometimes I find myself getting angry and wanting to retaliate. I was so gently but powerfully reminded twice today that I need to stay on task and mission and allow God to vindicate me. I'm thankful for those reminders... as well as for the understanding that I don't have to fight these silly battles. Still, they do have an impact on me. I am human after all. The day started out today with another assault on my name and ministry, so the day began with stress. Then the real items of ministry and warfare began. I really don't believe in this sort of thing, but I told my wife tonight, "it has to be a full moon... it's just been crazy. Without going into a lot of personal and confidential information, today I spoke with a young man whose father simply disowned him and put him out on the streets. Then I spoke to someone who is just "lost" in life, trying to figure out where they are and where they are going. At the ripe old age of 22 this person thinks that their life is over, there is no hope and they'd be better off dead. A short while later I sat and talked with another young person who just a few months ago thought their life was on the high road, but now they've been arrested a couple of times and may be facing some jail time. The sparkle that was once in her eyes is missing, and now I see darkness and pain. I'm thankful though that she called me and said, "something has to change."  Just a little while later I talked with another person who has lost everything they held of value in life and they were contemplating suicide. This person is only 19 years old and they are convinced that life is over for them. 

Again... I'm so thankful that I've been given such a role in each of their lives that they would call on me to talk to and to try to find answers and hope. Still, it weighs so heavy on my heart and mind that I have a hard time setting it aside to find the rest I need in my own life. Tonight I was sitting at my computer trying to unwind, when suddenly I found myself saying, "Be still and know that he is God."  I was reminded of an old song, and was able to find it on Youtube, and it ministered to me in a deep way. 
Here are the words to that song:

Surrounded by the cares of life,
Situations rise, they press against my soul.
Desperate thoughts have blocked me in,
Feels like I may lose control.

A voice from somewhere inside me,
Brings comfort, fills my heart with courage.
That lets me know
that everything will be all right.

I hear him say

Be still my soul and know that he is God,
He is God Stand quietly, He is The Lord.

If God is for me who can be against me?
He is God Be still my soul, He is The Lord.

Teach me Lord, to stay with you,
When my emotions try to rule me,
Remind me Lord, of who I am,
And show me what you want me to be.

His great strength, and confidence,
Knowing that You are with me,
I’m not afraid of tomorrow,
What waits ahead.

I hear him say

Be still my soul and know that he is God,
He is God Stand quietly, He is The Lord.
If God is for me who can be against me?
He is God Be still my soul, He is The Lord.

Be still my soul

He is The Lord.

He is The Lord.