Read Psalms, Chapters 3-4.
As kids, what were we taught if our clothes caught on fire? Stop, drop and roll. Thank goodness I've never had to put the technique into practice. But it certainly seems like it would work. I thought about that phrase when I read through Psalm 3-4. However, I would change up the words a bit. When you feel like your life is "on fire", when you feel the heat, what should you do? Stop, drop and praise. David was feeling the heat from his own son. Absalom had led a rebellion against his dad. And King David wrote Psalm 3 while on the run from him. And in this psalm and the one after, we see the principle of "Stop, drop and praise" in action. In the midst of difficult circumstances, we need to stop, or put another way, pause. Take a deep breath, get alone with the Father. Most translations have the word "Selah" sprinkled throughout Psalm 3 and 4. It's a mysterious word found only in Psalms and Habakkuk. It means a break in the singing of a song. It's the pause.
As David was sorting through the mix of emotions he was experiencing, fear and betrayal, he stopped and paused. You see, these words in Psalm 3 and 4, and all of Psalms for that matter, are prayers set to music. As he wrote and sang of his struggles with his son, he would "Selah", he would pause and think about his situation before continuing his song to the Savior. And then he would drop. Drop to his knees and pray. In these psalms you see different types of prayers... praise, petitions, and laments. You see, no matter what you may be going through, when you learn to "Stop and Drop", it ultimately leads to praise. You are reminded by how much bigger God is than whatever difficulty you may be going through. You will be able to offer the same faith-filled praise David did in the last verse of Psalm 4, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."
Are you taking time in your life to pause and get alone with the Father? Are you trying to carry your burdens or are you bringing them to the Father in prayer?
Are you taking time to intentionally praise God for the many blessings He has given you? When we learn to bless God with our words, it lightens the burden we feel when life hurts.
Prayer for the day: "Lord, you have the whole world in your hands. There is no problem I will face today that comes close to being as big as you. Thank you that you love me and want to walk me through the pain that comes living on this side of heaven. Help me remember to take time this week to pause, pray and praise. For your glory, amen."