Quieting Our Souls
What SHe SAid - Part 12
Jenny Marcelene, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:2
My heart sank as I read the article title on my computer screen. Why hadn’t I thought of that idea? Of course, the author wrote a stellar piece. Again. I sighed. I couldn’t even bring myself to read it.
Jealousy weaved its way through my body like a viper’s bite. I knew better than to compare myself. But the poison was already doing its awful work. Sure we weren’t in competition with each other. But somehow, I felt inadequate in every possible way.
Anger boiled inside my heart like a tea kettle. I was trying so hard to be good enough. But I perpetually found myself falling short. Rather than keeping my eyes on the next right step, I was digressing into despair. And this path led nowhere but down.
When we start playing the comparison game or feel we aren’t getting what we think we should, we land ourselves in a heap of discontentment—and create the perfect storm for bitterness to take root in our hearts.
The psalmist reminds us that when jealousy and selfish ambition rears its ugly head, we should take the path of humility. Sometimes in our striving, we can miss out on the most important gift of all: trust and joy in the Lord.
A nursing infant wants to drink her mother’s milk—and needs it frequently throughout the day. But a weaned baby can snuggle close to her mother, not crying out for milk. She can delight in her mother’s nearness.
When we don’t demand praise, recognition, success, or a speedy timeline from the Lord, we are free to savor His presence like a weaned baby. But when we chase after things that don’t satisfy our hungry hearts, we are filled with disappointment and striving.
Just as weaning a child can be challenging, training ourselves to calm and quiet our souls can be a difficult trail. When I weaned my oldest son, I gradually nursed him one minute less each day. This slow approach made the transition less abrupt but took intentionality.
So it is with our souls. We must gradually turn our hearts away from things that don’t satisfy—even good things—so that we can experience the kindness of the Lord. What we thought we needed, we may discover wasn’t so important after all.
As I confessed my sins to the Lord, I could exchange their weight tugging me down with the upward flight of forgiveness and joy in the Lord. I didn’t have to be the best.
And as I stopped setting my eyes on things beyond my control and out of my grasp, I could celebrate this friend’s article. As I texted a note of encouragement to her, my soul could rest in knowing God was more than enough for me.
PRAYER
Father God, forgive us when we’re tempted to want to be the best in unhealthy ways. May we fix our minds on You and find our identity in being Your child, not what we accomplish. Let us walk in humility each day, fully secure in belonging to You. May we hope in You alone and train our souls to rest in You. Amen.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.