Stay

As we know, we all face storms in our lives. Storms that threaten to overwhelm and suffocate us. Those are the times when it we can feel so very alone, unloved, abandoned.

However, when the tears have slowed, the ache has softened, and the storm has passed, you realise you’re still here, you’ve been held – Not just for a brief moment, but truly held, by grace, by love, by the arms of a Saviour who never lets us go.

Being overwhelmed can feel like drowning in a sea of responsibilities, emotions, and unanswered questions. While being held is like finding a quiet sanctuary, where we move from chaos to calm, from striving to surrender. And once we’ve experienced that peace, the invitation from God is clear – stay!

Stay and be held in God’s arms, because He is the one who carried you. Stay in the truth that steadied you. Stay in the presence of the One who whispered, “You’re not alone.”

Don’t think this you are showing weakness – you’re simply choosing to remain where healing happens, where you are known and loved and your burdens are lifted, where you don’t have to perform, prove, or pretend you’re ok.

Jesus doesn’t just rescue us from our overwhelm, He walks with us through it. He doesn’t just calm the storm, He stands before us, behind us and beside us. And when we’re ready to be held, He doesn’t rush us forward, we waits for us.

So let yourself stay awhile in His love. Let the stillness of His presence speak to you. Let the comfort you get from God deepen. You don’t have to move on quickly. You’re allowed to rest in His presence. You’re allowed to be renewed.

And when you’re ready to rise again, you’ll do so not in your own strength, but in His.

I have found the song ‘Just Be Held’ by Casting Crowns provides us with a prayer that reminds us to ‘just be held. One line of this song that really resounds with me is:

Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place. 
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held.

Let these words remind you that being held isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of healing, and the beginning of your restoration.