Time to Relax

Earlier this week, I lost a filling in my tooth, but I was able to get it replaced this morning at the dentist. I don’t know about you, but I find myself tensing up whenever I sit in the dentist chair even if it is only for a cleaning. Today’s procedure wasn’t painful. It wasn’t too uncomfortable and yet every few minutes I’d realize that my body was tense. I had to consciously think – relax. Relax your leg muscles. Relax your shoulder muscles. Unclench your hands from the armrests.

Relax . . . Tense . . . Relax . . . Tense.

I find this cycle happening in my daily life, too. After days of social media, riots, fires, masks, complaints, politics, and people lashing out, I find that I must consciously tell myself – relax. When I am tense, whether I realize it or not, I am not myself. I do not feel capable of helping others, because I am so busy trying to help myself. Or, I feel lethargic. Lazy. Too tired to do anything except procrastinate.

Relaxing isn’t as easy in life as it is in the dentist’s chair. However, I found an excellent way to relax when I read Psalm 63:5-7:

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”

Remembering God and meditating on Him will satisfy our souls like a 3-Star Michelin restaurant’s 16-18 course meal satisfies more than hunger.  Bubbling up from within, we become joyful again and cannot help but praise Him! I find this verse encourages my night owl habit of reading and studying God’s Word before turning out the lights at night. Some nights, I sing praises to Him in the dark right before I close my eyes for rest. Remembering ways God has been faithful to me, I feel secure. Reminding myself of time after time when God gave me what I needed, rather than what I wanted, and I know it was best. Counting the people He brought into my life at different times to encourage, support, love, and care for me, I know my life was abundant. Remembering the times where God used me to bless someone with His love, and I know my life was fulfilling.

My muscles relax, my hands unclench, my heart sings, and I am refreshed.

I am ready to serve my God in whatever way He asks.

How about you? Have you been feeling tense? Unable to encourage others? Perhaps even unable to accept encouragement from others? 

Take some time to relax.

Remember God and what He has done, is doing, and will do.

Meditate on Him.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”