Be Still Devotional: Day 30

Devotion for Friday March 21
Mary Ellen Ermis | Bellaire Campus Receptionist

Scripture
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Devotional Thought
In 2016, while working in my eighth year at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University), I was called into their Human Resources office. The university was making cuts, and my position was one of them. I had already signed up for a pilgrimage to Israel and was told that if I needed the money, they would reimburse me. I had already paid in full and thought, “When will I ever get a chance to visit Israel?” So, I kept to the plan and went on the trip.

It was in Israel where I met my future husband. The first time we talked was at the Jordan River after both of us had gotten baptized, and we exchanged numbers the night before we flew back to Houston. We hit it off. He helped me with my job search, and later that year I accepted a position in San Antonio. Every weekend for a year and a half, when our schedules allowed, we took turns visiting each other, all while I continued to search for a job to get back to Houston.

Rejection letter after rejection letter, I felt helpless, wondering if God was hearing my prayers. One night at a Casting Crowns concert, 1 Peter 5:6-7 came to mind, and I realized I was going about this all wrong. I prayed and gave God all my anxiety. The weight lifted off my shoulders, and a few months later, I was offered a job in Houston. After reading the email, I went down to a quiet area near my office and just cried for a few minutes, thanking God.

When you feel frustrated or find yourself in the middle of one of life’s storms, cast your anxiety on Him and praise Him because He cares for you.

Reflection Questions

• When you feel anxious, do you stop and talk to God, or do you try to do it yourself?
• How often do you thank God for what you have in your life compared to asking Him what you think you want?

Suggested prayer/action step
Always start talking to God thanking Him and praising Him, regardless of what season you’re in. If things are going great in your life, thank God. He wants to hear your affection for Him out of your mouth. If times are rocky, give Him your trouble. He wants you to know that you can always turn to Him in time of need.