Be Still And Know

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT  'Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.' I quote this verse far too often, to myself, but also to family and friends. Quoting is easy: confidently living out its content proves exceptionally challenging. When gazing back over my life, I see quite a lot of fear and discouragement. As a young Christian I met disappointment with frustration, often expressed in angry outbursts. I lacked a lot of self-control – yet it was one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) I received upon choosing to follow Jesus. It cost me nothing. For so long, I failed to realise God’s provision was already within my grasp. My problem was my failure, or unwillingness, to take hold of this fruit and apply it in managing any difficult set of circumstances. I have spent much time wondering at my stupidity and inability to take hold of what was already mine in Christ and secure the benefits for a less tempestu