This week a woman came chasing and yelling after me as I was out with one of our children. It seems I was in a area I wasn’t “allowed” to be in and she had taken it upon herself to make sure that I knew about it.
I’m a pretty calm person generally and therefore didn’t visibly react to her aggressive behaviour. Inwardly however I was checking myself and resisting the temptation to give this woman a piece of my mind.
As I’ve been thinking about this irate woman today I was reminded of the importance of what God describes to me as “dialling down”. It’s that purposeful quieting and centreing in of my spirit and emotions whenever I’m feeling my temper, angst or other emotions getting too high (particularly when they are negative ones.)
Dialing down for me means determining to drop off anything that is weighing on my heart and mind, and to position myself in a place of rest in Jesus. I’m a visual person and I have discovered that God has given us our imaginations as an onramp into heavenly places. Its in “seeing” and being able to access those spaces in the spirit that helps me to sit in that place of rest. I “see ” myself taking my seat and just sitting with Jesus and centering in on Him. When I choose to focus in like this, very little of what’s going on in the earthly, physical realm seems to matter half as much, and I feel the tension, worry and pressures of life drop off.
Dialling Down takes practice and a certain amount of trust and faith in God that He will take care of situations for me (such as an irate person chasing me) as I determine to walk according to his Word and to stay in peace.
There is something to be said for being able to dial down on the inside and as a result being able to focus more clearly. It prevents negative outbursts, stress, letting loose on words and actions you’d probably have to go back and repent about later and any other unhealthy repercussions.
Today I encourage you to practice “dialling down” during your day. Breathe, close your eyes and centre in on Jesus and His peace. Imagine yourself sitting in a quiet, relaxing space with Him and then focus on soaking up His presence and letting any stress and tension roll away.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalm 37:7)
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4)
Prayer: Lord thank you that I can trust in you to to help me and to take care of everything that concerns. Please help me to remain in a place of rest and peace today. In Jesus name Amen.
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