Peace Be Still

I'm not sure what was going through my mind at the time, but I can remember the intense calming effect that fell over me as I heard these three little words quietly whisper through my inner ear.

"Peace be still," said the voice as I jostled to and fro unsure of the true impact coming from a place I knew was steeped with authority and grace.

Once again, I heard those three small words "Peace, be still," but this time with more vigor despite the penetrating calmness that followed those words.

"Peace. Be. Still."

In the blink of an eye I was overcome with such a deep level of peace that it nearly took my breath away because of how quickly it consumed me. The panic and fear I had been experiencing immediately fell to the wayside leaving me feeling like I was standing at the edge of the most serene body of water I could envision.

I could hear the gentle hum of the water quietly cascading down the side of a rock wall not far behind me as a slow stream flowed by where I stood.

The warm rays of golden sunlight gently caressed my skin and the air, once stagnant with anxiety, instantly filled with the fresh aroma of joy and giddiness. As I sit here reflecting on that moment, I am hard pressed to clearly articulate what the aroma of joy and giddiness smells like. I only knew in my heart that it was what I was experiencing.

"Peace be still," said the strong, yet calming voice only this time I was certain that I heard the words out loud as surely as I type this today. There was no longer any fear, anxiety, uneasiness, desperation or any other worrisome thought floating in my mind.

No.

There was only a feeling of lightheartedness and whimsy flooding my every cell and pore because I knew in that moment...the moment I tried fighting so hard against...yes, in that moment of surrender...all the chaos and noise became a distant roar no longer impacting what I saw, felt or heard.

As I stood there in wonder at how powerful the experience was, the following words came to me which I wish to share with you now.

Peace Be Still

"Peace, be still," the man said from above, "For the time has come to rest." He looked down below to see who would hear for this was an important test.

The people were scurrying so much in a rush they didn't take time to be still, life's travails were unyielding sending people this way and that, all seeking to go after their own will.

"Peace, be still," the man said a bit louder this time, "I want them all to just stop. There's so much I want to give each one of them. Hear me now before someone drops."

Children were crying their parents unaware for they were feeling so lost and alone; mothers and fathers so busy with work the stress of it changing their tones.

An old man forgotten, or so he thought, begins to contemplate his life's worth; the challenges he faced left him empty inside slowly his loneliness increased in its girth.

A tear starts to fall down the man's rosy cheek as he tries to make his voice more clear, the longing he has in his heart for these people so strong for he holds them all dear.

"Peace, be still," he says once more again, "You heard me, but this time you shall listen.They're moving around in circles so small, their lives no longer resembling how they were first christened."

And then it happened in an instance, a moment so quick so fast, it could not be captured by time. Peace stood still as it was ordered, soon everything stopped, for the moment was now perfectly primed.

Peace fell to the ground touching everyone in its path, clearly leaving no one untouched. The bickering and fighting, the harsh yelling once abound, now replaced with people gathering all at once.

To look in their eyes anyone could see an overwhelming sense of joy and relief, amazing to see the day had finally come; this truly helped to strengthen the belief.

The man looked down this time with a smile as his heart lifted so full of love; peace comforting his people given rest from life's woes all because of the man from above.

I first heard those words above in December of 2005. Little would I know how impactful they would be over the years including now. Although the situation as described is somewhat different than what we are experiencing today, it's clear to me how timely it is that these words would come rushing back to my remembrance.

For such a time as this...

As I sit here in this moment, I'm struck by the simpleness of those words for I know many will hear them but will continue on as they've always done. "Peace, be still" is packed with power when spoken with the right authority and grace. Those words have no knowledge from whom they are spoken, only that our voices can give them ample space to change how we feel at any given time.

Life is full of twists and turns many of which provide us with memories of laughter and joy. But what happens when we find ourselves overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, increasing fear, desperation and uncertainty? Our thoughts power our words and our words give life to our realities. What if we could change our thoughts so that our words would continue to power us forward in the directions we aim to go no matter what is happening in our lives?

"Peace, be still," no matter how small or insignificant these three words may seem...they house the power of an incredible force from none other than the man above. When spoken with the authority He has given each and every one of us, it changes things and in an instant, you are flooded with the peace that goes beyond all understanding.

This is a peace like no other.

A peace that is free, you need only to open your mouth and command the atmosphere.

A peace that is waiting to overtake you amid your chaos.

A peace that will help you find a type of joy that can carry you over your mountain no matter how high. You need only to try it and see that it is good.

Peace. Be. Still.

I'd love to hear what you do to help bring peace back into your life during times of turmoil and stress. Comment below!

Feel free to reach out directly to Karen Markle for help developing your grit and resiliency or managing your stress at [email protected].