Not that long ago, a friend gave me a necklace with the little sign for “pause.” Those little two vertical lines that you might find on a music or video player. Every now and then, I will wear it on days when I need to have a physical reminder to really ground myself. It’s not that I HAVE to have it to be grounded, yet the reminder makes it a little less intimidating to tackle my runaway thoughts and emotions.
It is extremely easy to get caught up in life’s whirlwind, only to find oneself spiraling downward as we are forced to deal with what we are handed. At which point we have a choice to make. How will we ride the wave of thoughts and emotions when they bombard us to the point of exploding? Or melting? Or even running away altogether.
Nobody wants to be known as that snappy, easily irritated person. Or the overly dramatic person who seems to always be a puddle of emotion. Yet, we all have our limits. Everyone’s threshold is different from that of another. And the easy thing to do is to allow oneself to be swept up in the emotions and thoughts of the moment, consumed by an unseen force, only to regret it later.
Not once have I ever been glad of any time that I allowed my thoughts and emotions to control me. I have, however, always regretted allowing myself to be consumed by these things.
We are only human. So we can only take it one day and one moment at a time, being mindful of when to pause.
Pause to think on if allowing the overwhelming emotions and thoughts to be in control is worth it.
Pause to see if perhaps a calm and controlled version of those feelings is appropriate to allow.
Pause to reflect on oneself: are these thoughts and feelings valid… are they unnecessary… are they right… can this be avoided/ prevented in the future?
Pause to remember that, no matter the situation, we can do one of two things. We could submit to the will of the flesh and lean into those thoughts and emotions. Or we can submit to the One Who is able to control us completely, consume us, if we allow Him to do so.
Imagine what life would be like if everyone would practice a pause now and then.
If you happen to catch me wearing this necklace, I’m taking extra care to remember to pause. I pause to remember that I don’t need to be in control, but rather I do need to trust in Someone Who can take control of my whirlwind.
What might you use as a reminder to pause?
Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalm 4:4 KJV
