Speeding Train

Stop And Be Refreshed


    Are you speeding through life like a locomotive and finding it difficult to stop?  Are fighting fatigued? Do you never seem to be satisfied with what you have accomplished. Are you having health issues and your doctor telling you the you must slow down for your health? Do you find yourself disappointed with life? Do you find yourself becoming critical of others? Do you feel that you have simply become a victim of society? Do you find yourself distant from God? Do you find yourself having difficulty getting the sleep that you know that you should get?

    The following is an exercise which may change your perspective for the better, set you free from  exhaustion, give you a peace of mind, and even bring physical healing. Moreover, it may help you have better, peaceful, and more meaningful relations with the people around you.

HERE IS A SIMPLE EXERCISE: I would suggest that you do this REGULARLY throughout the day.

1. Slow Down

2. Calm Down

3. Relax

4. Take it easy

5. Pause and take a deep breath

6. Give thanks in and for everything.

7. Receive PEACE, REST, and HEALTH.


SOME SCRIPTURE:

1. Hastiness may well lead to want. "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want"  (Proverbs 21:5). Hastiness may well lead to want.

2. We need to learn to be in content. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content"  (I Timothy 6:7-8)

3. Jesus had the rest after their traveling and ministry. "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat"  (Mark 6:31).

4. Sometimes we get so busy, even ministering, that we miss God. "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth"  (Psalms 46:10).

5. David said, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments"  (Psalms 119:164).  That would be one every two hours David had would stop and praise the Lord.

6. We are to give God thanks in every situation. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you"  (I Thessalonians 5:18).

7. Paul encourages us to give thanks for all things. "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"  (Ephesians 5:20).

8. We are to have control of the thoughts that we think and focus on following.  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"  (Philippians 4:8).

9. When we stop to focus on God we may find peace. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee"  (Isaiah 26:3).

10. We find rest when we stop to focus on what God has provided for us. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee"  (Psalms 116:7).

11. God wants to set us apart, spirit, soul, and body. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"  (I Thessalonians 5:23).

12. When we prosper in our soul, that may open the door to receive health. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth"  (III John 1:2).

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

     I live on one of the business streets in San Angelo where it seems during the day cars are almost constantly passing my house, but usually slows down late at nigh.  My bedroom in my house is on the street side. One night, I was awaken and irritated about 3:00 a.m. because of some guy in a car with a loud muffler raced down the street in front my house. My first thought was to become angry and think bad thoughts about this guy racing down the street at 3:00 a.m. in the residential neighborhood. Then I thought about this little exercise, to slow down, calm down, relax, take it easy, .... I stopped to thank the Lord for the situation in that God and given me ears to hear the loud car. I found peace and went back to sleep to get the rest that I needed.

    Another day, I had a dental appointment to have my teeth cleaned. Such is needful for me because I get plaque around my teeth and some gums which make my gums sore and irritated. The cleaning itself can also be somewhat painful. There I was, setting in the dental chair with the assistant working on me. I felt myself getting tense because of the discomfort of the cleaning. Then God reminded me to do this exercise. Slow down (I had rushed to be there only a few minutes late), calm down, relax (I had felt the tension growing in my body), take it easy, pause and take a deep breath, and be thankful for and in everything (in this situation). How could I be thankful? I could thank God that I had someone to clean my teeth. Then God spoke to me to be thankful for the friendship of the dental assistant (she is always quite friendly). When I got a chance, I told her that God told me to thank her for her friendship. It was a God - thing.