The Physical Discipline of Stillness

the following is extracted from a book im currently reading called "When God Writes Your Life Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. thought this part should be shared with you guys.. it's long.. just read. (:

Hudson Taylor, a pioneer of mission work in China, eloquently described the antidote for stress. "Are you in a hurry, flurried, distressed?" he wrote, "Look up! Let the face of Jesus shine upon you - the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is He worried, troubled, distressed? There is no wrinkle on His brow, no least shade of anxiety. Yet the [problems you face] are His as much as yours."

Hudson Taylor did not have an easy life. He frequently faced poverty, hunger, death threats, and the tragic loss of loved ones. And yet he discovered the secret to overcoming anxiety and stress: "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

When we look at life from our limited human perspective, it seems there is always plenty to worry and stress about. What we need is to look at our circumstances from a heavenly perspective. When we remain still in God's presence, we soon realize there's nothing to fear. Our God is not shaken by any circumstance. And when we slow down enough to finally see things through His eyes, we will experience "peace... which surpasses all comprehension."

Stillness takes practice. We are habitually consumed with problems, fears and worries. And often we don't let go of those distractions even during our times alone with God. It's easy to pray about a problem but not really give the problem to God. We may ask God to help us with a challenge, but often we continue to stress about it and try to solve it in our own strength. But to cast our cares upon God means to lay them at His feet and leave them there.

Next time you feel the cares of life weighing you down, steal away to a quiet place and practice stillness in God's presence. Ignore your body's apathy and you mind's distraction. Train yourself to be still before God. Place your worries at His feet. Allow Him to do whatever He wants in the situation you are facing, even if it is not the outcome you were hoping for. His ways are perfect, and though we can't always see it at first, His faithfulness is beyond out understanding. He cares more about our life than we do, and He only wants the best for us. Take some time to read His Word and be reminded that He sees everything and worries about nothing. The more you put this physical discipline of stillness into practice, the more it will become a way of life.