“We equate external control with inner tranquility.”- Judah Smith
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.”- Isaiah 30:5 (NLT)
In Chapter 6 (“A Quiet Soul”) of How’s Your Soul?, Judah Smith notes we live in a loud culture- inundated on a daily basis by noise, activity, and information. As a result, Judah states, life lived at high intensity produces “extraordinary internal angst.” Hence, this angst creates anxiety, fear, and an overall sense of desperation. To enjoy each moment life offers, we must strive for inner peace and rest.
The second king of Israel, David, epitomized the quiet soul. Specifically, Pastor Smith writes, Psalm 131 gives us insight into King David’s ability to maintain a quiet soul. Yet, David faced constant stress and pressure. Therefore, Judah examines each of the psalm’s three verses. He discusses the first part of verse one today.
1. “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high.” Judah observes that, to a certain degree, everyone struggles with a God-complex. Hence, we view ourselves as God in our own lives. However, Pastor Smith describes a different principle at work in this verse:
“If you want to have a calm, quiet souls, you have to recognize that you are not in control. That realization is fundamental to being healthy and peaceful on the inside.”
In contrast, we tend to view this perspective as counterintuitive- assuming that more personal control provides rest and peace. However, ultimately our efforts guarantee nothing. Only God possesses that ability.
In conclusion, our culture tends to deify ambition. The biblical view, in contrast, states that God calls, designs, and wires us for service in His kingdom. Unless we tether ambition to God’s calling, that ambition takes on a life of its own. As Judah humorously notes, let God do His job as God. He’s really good at it!
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you live in inner tranquility? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: A God-category in your life”
