Pathway to PeaceSample

Balance - Feed the Machine 

I calmly walked to my departure gate and after a short wait boarded, took my seat, and began to reflect and write about my airport moment.  I typically buried myself in work during flights, but this time I shelved anything that didn’t nourish me.  I disappeared into a world that muted my mind-chatter and lifted me. 

“I long for a quiet walk with the one I love, beautiful scenery, nothing to distract me, a silent mind and nothing to do”.  Still waters.  Green pastures.  It felt good to put words to my state of mind, the last of my writing that evening before deplaning.  My spirit was elevated.  

I had stopped, breathed, prayed, reflected, and did devotion of sorts on the plane.  God interrupted my frenzy to share a taste of His clear presence and rest.  The contrast was unreal.  I fed the machine.  

And so as weeks passed I powered on, mindful of the sharp contrast before and after A-23, paring back where I thought I could.  Then, in a quick and painful turn of events, I was laid off over appetizers at a local restaurant.  We were floating a sizable business startup and a few college degrees for starters, so the implications were substantial.  

I wouldn’t have chosen this route and it hit hard.  Fear seeped through my mind daily as my stress elevated to a persistent anxiety.  I entered the crucible, waking panicked in the middle of the night, praying with intensity and reading relevant scripture.  

It was painful, but I clearly felt God’s deep love and presence as He directed me through dark days.  He steadily fed me.  The power of prayer and devotion in our lives is incalculable, and a bedrock of finding peace amidst the storm.  

Stopping to rest and pray was hard at first, but if Jesus needed it I needed it too.  Jesus retreated for deliberate downtime, sending crowds away, and going up on the mountain by Himself to find rest and to pray.  He went to the Garden, and so did I. 

God transforms our most difficult seasons into spiritual Springs and enables us to emerge in peace before the storm subsides.    

Side note:  Regular physical activity, uplifting social interaction, sufficient sleep, and healthy eating are also crucial steps to reducing stress.  And a good professional, especially one who is deeply rooted in Biblical truth, can be an essential partner in circumstances even remotely similar to what is described above.  Sometimes it's necessary to partner with someone equipped to help us quell the swirling thoughts and fears captivating our minds, and free the mental and emotional bandwidth to pursue peace.  

What areas of your life most need additional time and nourishment?  What consumes your time and stands in the way?