As we continue to look at change, now we will explore one response in learning how to grow in nonanxious presence from a Christian rooting. This is the third part of a three-part series:
- Part 1 explores why change seems to ripple in more change and the key dynamic that prompts it.
- Part 2 explores two key responses people can choose and need to be aware of in change. We also see how well Psalm 46 captures the experience and ideas of change.
As a follower of Jesus, our lives are bound up with Jesus. He reshapes what our lives look like, including that things may not always be easy. That our circumstances do not dictate our direction.
If we want to move toward Part 2’s healthy choice, what can we do?
Jesus reshapes what our lives look like, including that things may not always be easy. That our circumstances do not dictate our direction.
Our conversation today explores some practical spiritual direction out of Psalm 46. And how you can begin practicing it.
How to Grow in Nonanxious Presence: Stop Clinging, Stop Striving
No one disagrees on the value of nonanxious presence or differentiation of self (DoS). (Learn a bit more here.) How to grow in nonanxious presence or DoS is the hard part.
For a Christian, this is part of where our Christian maturity goes and Psalm 46 gives us a fresh picture. Last time we explored how well it captures the sense of change and difficulty. Now it moves on.
We began here last time, but now Psalm 46 ends by returning to where it began in verse 1: directing us to God. And it offers the assurance that His purposes will go forward and will not be held back.
But before it finishes up, there is a classic, often-quoted verse in Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God”
This “be still” is a helpful place for our most reactive times. In this, the original language captures in a sense of:
- Stop striving for your desires
- To fail
- To release
- Stop clinging to things other than God
- A “that’s enough” which captures the sense there is nothing more to seek; God holds it all.
As we’ve explored, doing less is sometimes doing more. The storms of your reactivity can be quelled, whether in stress, anger, sadness or some other internal or external prompt.
- By practicing pausing
- Being aware of what you are pursuing in your heart
Such practices help us be open to the ministry of the Holy Spirit to train us in body and spirit to find life in God. As a result of taking that time you go into a change due to stress or anxiety but not be emotionally or circumstance driven. Decisions no longer have to come from a place of seeking something else to complete us.
Decisions no longer have to come from a place of seeking something else to complete us.
One of the best ways to describe our Christian maturity is living fulfilled by God such that our other relationships with people or things are in the right place. An idea that an early church father, Augustine, referred to as “disordered loves”. In other words, often the loves are not wrong, just in the wrong order.
Often the loves are not wrong, just in the wrong order.
When they do, that is where we respond in reactivity. So what is a practical way we can begin to grow in being still?
How to Take Practical “Be Still” Steps
So this “be still” seems pretty important from what I can tell. And it sounds great if we can live like that. But the natural question is how do I do it?
One of the most clear options are times of silence, stillness, or solitude. In such moments all other stimuli, even our circumstances, are removed and we are stimulated only by God.
One key element in all of this is that waiting until you are in a challenge is too late. Begin practicing this as a regular spiritual discipline — NOW! It will help shape you and your emotional life as you rest on Him.
Some ideas to practice:
- Set an alarm for five minutes (or even one or two if it is hard) and just sit.
- Take extended times with your Bible and times of “waiting on God” in prayer. 1 Kings 19 is a good reflection for such a time (or even start with 18 for the full story.)
- In such times consider questions such as:
- What is giving me joy in my life right now?
- What do I find myself thinking about most?
- Who am I most struggling with?
- Is there anything I am seeking to fulfill me (hobby, food, spouse, friend, etc.) more than God?
Not surprisingly in our embodied spirituality, this pause brings a biological effect too. Our souls are refreshed and you will likely feel it in your body. While we are more than our bodies, our bodies are impacted by how we live our spiritual life.
- Our minds slow down from our racing thoughts and potential anxiousness to focusing on God.
- We breathe slower so we get more oxygen, helping us be calm.
- Stress hormones reduce to healthy levels.
As a result, our minds are renewed and, even in stress, we will find an easier focus on God’s leading, will, and voice (Romans 12:1-2).
By silence, stillness, and solitude, we can turn to God. In reducing our physical, mental, and emotional activity, we move toward being stimulated by God alone (at least more than before — and hopefully less from other things). And we cease acting from our reactivity.
And, as a result, even in the midst of the storms, we know in fresh ways — He is God.
Check Out Parts 1 and 2:
- Part 1 explores why change seems to ripple in more change and the key dynamic that prompts it.
- Part 2 explores two key responses people can choose and need to be aware of in change. We also see how well Psalm 46 captures the experience and ideas of change.
- Part 3 gives direction from Psalm 46 for growing in nonanxious presence and offers a practical spiritual exercise to grow in having peace in life’s storms.
