Imagine a blue sky that stretches unrestrained to the horizon and cool green grass beneath our tired feet. Before us, still water perfectly reflects snow-capped mountains, forested hills, and blossoming trees. Slowly breathe in the fragrance of spring  and savor a banquet of tranquility.

Suddenly, a hot east wind blasts across our screen, churns up angry waves, flings blinding sand, and screams at us with fury! Our reverie breaks and gives way to harsh realities! Peace evaporates as do any reflections of beauty.

From where did that east wind come? Since God created us for relationship, internal storms generate from abandonment, betrayal, abuse, or criticism, which grow roots of insecurity deep within us. Though not always recognized or admitted, the subconscious never forgets the trauma of what should have been but was not, or what should not have been but was. The fall-out too often pronounces a life-sentence of unexplained anxiety and/or depression.

Rather than allowing God to lead us beside His still waters, we too often fill our loneliness, hurt, guilt, shame, sadness, or fears with a substitute. Artificial peace masks symptoms, but when it is withdrawn or powers down, the anxiety resurfaces with a vengeance. Long-term reliance on artificial tranquility weakens the mind’s emotional control gates so when drugs lose effectiveness over time “all hell can break loose”.

King David says, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom” (Psa. 51:6). God is able to expose and heal the roots of our anxiety. He may show us directly through His Word or indirectly through wise pastoral or licensed counselors, friends, or family as an engaging therapeutic community. God desires to heal us from the inside out. To simply mask our emotions with prescription drugs without applying God’s Word and engaging with a faith community, we face disaster.

The Shepherd leads us beside still waters because He knows moving water frightens sheep. Here he quiets our hearts so we can hear His “still small voice” (1Ki 19:12). He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2Cor 1:3-4).

Many times I find myself unable to sleep as my thoughts churn like waves before the wind, yet, when I cry out to my Lord, He rises and rebukes the wind, and says to the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceases, and there is a great calm (Mar 4:39). Many times anxiety overwhelms me in rising and crashing circumstances, yet His sweet Holy Spirit whispers into my soul, “Be still, MarJean, and know that I AM God” (Psa 46:10). And many times my heart rages at some injustice, some hope deferred, or some painful contusion, yet He stills and heals my heart as I intentionally seek conscious awareness of His Presence.

Oh how I love the picture of God hovering protectively over me, “In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by” (Ps 57:1). His Word purifies the heart’s motives and attitudes. Therefore, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on your Your wondrous works” (Psa 145:5).

Only quiet waters reflect the beauty around them. The more our hearts reflect on His majestic beauty, the more our lives will reflect His character. HE is the fountain of living water, the Water of Life. HE is the Source—He alone can quench the thirst of our souls. Only HE can fill our aching hearts when we come to Him with nothing to offer but filthy rags.

Here He covers our nakedness in His pure, white robe of righteousness and carries us near His heart forever. He restores Eden within us. His peace stretches to the horizon and His faithfulness soothes our tired feet. His quietness within us perfectly reflects… HIM. Here we deeply breathe in His fragrance while our weary eyes close in peaceful trust.

WATER SONG

You give water in the desert,
Pools along the way,
Strength to climb the mountains
In the heat of day.
Mercy every morning,
Great Your faithfulness,
Love—unfailing, steadfast,
Praise the LORD, I am so blest!

When I think I can’t go on,
You hold me while I weep,
And fill me once again with hope
Even as I sleep.
Though I walk through shadows dark,
Your Word becomes my light,
And shows the path of righteousness
Through the darkest night.

Should I fear the enemy,
I call out to you, LORD,
And faith becomes a shield ‘round me,
Truth a two-edged sword.
Here I bow before You, LORD,
Amid earth’s pain and strife,
Your goodness and Your mercy flow
In and through my life.

—MarJean S. Peters