Recently, I was able to take a Ferry trip around our beautiful Water Wonderland, in fact we boarded the ferry at the end of our Road at the waterfront.

It was to celebrate a family member’s birthday &  the Ferry ride included a BBQ lunch on board with those all important cuppa’s available.

As we left the pier & started to sail out into the Port the staff announced that the Port’s resident Dolphins were riding the bow wave.

So we all went out to witness this special  aquatic show, how amazing it was! Then suddenly the Dolphins left as quickly as they had come.

As we all gathered back inside the Ferry I noticed that the rocking motion of the Ferry was beginning to calm everyone on board.

But more then this, it was the slowing down & letting go of other distractions in our busy lives.

Enjoying the moments on the water, looking at the landmarks, sharing family memories & enjoying each other’s company.

We had entered into Quietness.

The Real Quietness

I have been practicing the Art of Quietness for sometime now, in fact little by little since Chronic health issues came to reside.

A few years ago I presented a series on addressing  Anxious Thoughts & the positive aspects of aging that enhances this Art, discovered by Researchers. I agreed with these findings to a certain extent.

But I also shared with you that there were times I still found myself getting impatient & a touch anxious in pursuing quietness.

Which sounded like a contradiction in terms ‘impatient & anxious in quietness‘ Lol!

So let me define the type of quietness I was talking about;

The quietness & stillness of the soul.

That stillness that only comes from a Soul assured that God is in control, no matter what comes our way.

That undisturbed state of mind, confident & immovable, trusting Him for the outcome of all the circumstances that may arise in life.

Situations & circumstances that can often hit us out of left field in the following areas; health, finances, family, relationships or work situations.

My husband Grimaced

I also shared that for decades my prayer had been to come into that place of quiet stillness of the soul.

That place of immovable peace & stillness, no matter what comes.

And I don’t mean in a dissociative way but rather being confident in a non anxious, undisturbed Soul peace way.

Assured in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has the situation in His hands & in that there is absolutely no need to be concerned.

My husband grimaced when I shared this with him years ago.

Being opposite to me in temperament as shared in New Delhi & Chai tea…, he could see that I would be sent many opportunities for this prayer to be answered.

And he was right!

You see my friend, Jesus’ peace & assurance is always available to us, especially to those that love Him. For He said;

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14: 27 NLT

However, we actually have to accept & unwrap this gift allowing His peace & assurance into each & every circumstance that is of concern to us.

The Perfect Gentleman

For Jesus Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the perfect gentleman He won’t force His peace & assurance upon us.

In other words we need to make a choice; either we give in to anxious imagings or hand those concerns over to our Heavenly Father through Jesus, trusting Him for the outcome.

It’s a choice of coming to our Heavenly Father in prayer first & foremost, before our concerns quickly morph into anxiety.

However…

We all know & have experienced that anxiety has a habit of sneaking up on us before we realise it & that our peace becomes disrupted at that point.

And when in that mindset, of anxious racing thoughts, it can be really difficult to quieten ourselves enough to pray.

So we need some practical strategies…

I find the following strategies work, they may be help you too.

Daytime Practices

I go for a walk, there’s something about God’s creation that really calms anxious thoughts & before I know it I find myself chatting to God as I walk.

Or if weather doesn’t permit a walk…

I grab a cuppa, treat & my journal then sit & write out my thoughts. And within a short time I find my thoughts have turned to prayer.

Night time Practices

If my thoughts have me tossing & turning in bed & have obviously become anxious thoughts, I get up.

I then either read for a little while which distracts my mind long enough to be able to then bring my concerns to God in prayer.

Or

I journal out my thoughts which is really a type of prayer because I always address them to the Lord.

Being able to write out our concerns & to pray brings a wonderful clarity & a quietness to the soul.

And is such a practical way to be able to see God working in our life & the lives of those we love, as prayers & concerns are addressed.

It also helps our impatience to see that God is actually working to answer our prayers ever so patiently.

Growth happens…

I can attest that indeed the more we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, the more we enter that assurance.

And His peace that passes all understanding becomes a normal part of our life.

‘Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7 NLT

I’d love to hear your experiences my friend. You’re welcome to share in the comments below.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re also most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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