Friends, it has been quite a week. I mean, it has been a long 18 months. Do you feel it, too?

Last night, I went to bed early with a migraine. I think it was because of a storm that was making its way through our area. However, it feels like the storm started long before yesterday.

I had another passage selected for Friday, but as I walked this morning, I sense the Lord leading me to focus on Psalm 46.

I love this Psalm and I have often quoted portions of it in my posts, just do a search and you’ll see multiple posts in the results. Read this outloud, if you can. See what the Holy Spirit highlights for you.

God is a safe place to hide,

    ready to help when we need him.

We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,

    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,

Before the rush and roar of oceans,

    the tremors that shift mountains.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,

    this sacred haunt of the Most High.

God lives here, the streets are safe,

    God at your service from crack of dawn.

Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,

    but Earth does anything he says.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Attention, all! See the marvels of God!

He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,

Bans war from pole to pole,

    breaks all the weapons across his knee.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

    loving look at me, your High God,

    above politics, above everything.”

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

~Psalm 46 (The Message)

Let’s take some deep breaths, especially in a season where deep breaths can be hard to come by: emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and especially physically. Allow the true Giver of breath fill you and sustain you. As it says in Psalm 46:10 (The Message),

“‘Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything. ’”

Step out of the traffic and breathe

How can we step out of the traffic, today? This week?

Maybe it’s turning off the news or social media for an hour, two, or even an entire day?

Perhaps it’s finding a quiet place—even if that place is your car—to pray.

Sometimes my fear of missing out gets in the way of being with the One who misses intimate time with me.

How can we breathe deeply?

Listen to beautiful music. Enjoy the outdoors.

Smile or wave at our neighbors. Tell someone we love them.

Remember those around us are created in the image of God.

Marvel at His creation and the beauty around us.

Bask in Jesus’ love—unfailing, more than we can even imagine.

Be present with our family and friends.

Remember how quickly our lives pass and these moments are pivotal.

We can remind someone they aren’t alone.

Share our anchor of Hope in Jesus Christ, knowing that the reason He came, died, and resurrected still impacts us today and for eternity.

As we take a long, loving look at Him who knows and understands, we may discover His longing to be with us—no matter what.

Join me in exploring what the Lord says about anxiety-driven fear and also fearing (being in awe of…) HIM. I look forward to sharing my discoveries here. Join me here again next Friday! And better yet, bring a friend!

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