Still Waters

Allow me to take your mind on a 4D picture of you as a sheep and God as the Shepherd.

One of the biggest attributes of sheep is fear. Sheep are known to be very fearful, anxious, and afraid of even the slightest thing, especially wild animals or anything they sense as dangerous. The role of the shepherd, however, is different from just any leader.

Verse 2 of Psalm 23 tells us, “He makes me lie down.” What this means is that in a world full of danger, in a world filled with fearful news and stressful situations where bad things keep happening, anxiety and negative stress are real, and they are valid emotions.

However, God knows this, and He makes us lie down. In other words, He settles us. He places His hand on us and says, “Shhh… quiet. Just lie down. Just stay. Just be at peace because I am here.”

Again, “He leads me beside still waters.” Research shows that sheep do not like rushing water. It connects to their fearful nature. They cannot even drink from water that is moving too fast. So the shepherd leads them to calm, still waters… somewhere peaceful, somewhere quiet, where they can lower their heads and drink in peace.

• No matter what is rushing around you, no matter how it feels like everything is happening so fast, God will always bring you to a place of stillness and calmness; a place of peace.

I don’t know what is going on in your life right now that feels overwhelming, rushing, or overflowing, making you fearful, tired, or stressed. But here are two things God is doing right now:

He is making you lie down and bringing you to a place of calmness and stillness. Trust Him.