Be Still

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

As I arrived at work every day the office was buzzing with activity. Confident that I could be useful without a voice I made my way down the hall to my cubicle. Over the past week I had visited the doctor and been diagnosed with laryngitis and told that I would be able to speak again and do my job on the phone in around 3 or 4 days.  Despite spending more than a week steaming my vocal chords, drinking hot vitamin water and teas, using cough drops and throat lozenges and keeping quiet, I still did not have enough voice to maintain a call on the phone in an intelligible level.

Slight frustration was entering my thoughts but the overwhelming support of my superiors in the company gave me confidence that they would keep me busy until I could return to my normal position. Special projects that would keep the company going smoothly were handed to me. Then as I entered the break room to make some hot tea for my throat a co-worker expressed her concern that I may lose my job because I am not on the phone and that she was praying for me. This planted the seed of doubt.

The best of intentions can be thwarted by the delivery of fears into a conversation. Immediately haunted by this thought my mind began a slow spiral of doubt and anxiety. With less confidence I walked slowly back to my desk. An aura of impending gloom was entering my mind and affecting my attitude. Sullenly I began to ponder my fate. I began to interpret everything regarding work with fear and doubt.

The change was evident on my face and when asked I responded that I was tired and concerned about my voice. Thursday, after a long day of work I went to the rest room. As I began to wonder what would happen if my voice did not return soon I heard a voice in my mind. “Be still and know that I am God”. It was a “light bulb” moment. I immediately understood that God is in control and I did not need to worry. I understood that I should physically be quiet and emotionally stop worrying. Emotional weights dropped off my shoulders and I was relaxed as I walked back to my cubicle.

I love when God shows up. He made me realize that I was not allowing my trust in Him to outweigh someone else’s fears. I had no fear for my job, someone else did. I was enjoying favor with my superiors and doing all I could to show that I am useful without a voice.

It made me wonder: How often does it happen that someone else puts their fears into our heads and it changes our attitudes?

This week I learned to put my faith in God and not in the fears of others, no matter how well-meaning they may be. God is in control and with faith in Him whatever happens will be in my best interest.

Enjoy your week and I will be back next week with more.