By Valerie Minard
Here by the New Jersey shore, people flock to the ocean for their annual summer vacation. It’s one of the few times in the year they can kick back, relax with friends or family, and get a break from work and overloaded calendars.
But, if you are like one friend of mine, you didn’t come back rested from your vacation. After cooking meals and running after kids she said, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” She’s not alone. Many wonder where they can find space in their busy lives for spiritual refreshment and mental peace. They want a place to unload their cares. Feel safe that things are under control. Have a clear sense of direction. And confidence that they can accomplish whatever is needed without time restraints or limited resources. The good news is, you don’t have to wait until vacation or for a quiet weekend to feel recharged–spiritual refreshment is available at anytime and anywhere.
Although the Psalmist, King David, didn’t have the Jersey Shore to resort to, he did find there were “still waters” that refreshed him during stressful times. He writes about this in his poem, the 23rd Psalm. It includes some helpful tips for how to regain peace of mind and feel spiritually recharged. Here’s my take on a few of the verses…
Tip 1: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want: If you’re feeling stressed out, turn to divine Love.
David didn’t try to figure out his problems from a human standpoint. He looked directly to God, which he called his shepherd, to unload his cares and meet all his needs. This spiritually refreshed him.
Tip 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Be grateful for the good already at hand. Doing this makes us calm. It makes us receptive to fresh, inspiring ideas.
Knowing that God was in control and able to still any negative, turbulent thinking, David felt comforted and safe. He didn’t wonder when the green pastures would appear. He was already grateful for all the good divine Love had supplied him–right then and there, in spite of whatever was going on. This made him receptive to the refreshing spiritual ideas God was giving him.
Tip 3: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Listen for and act on the spiritual ideas that come to you. They will lead in the right direction.
Referring to this last verse, Christian theologian Mary Baker Eddy added this meaning, calling God divine Love : [LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)
David didn’t let fear take over. He recognized that God was leading him, and giving him the spiritual sense to respond to this leading. Knowing God was directing him brought assurance of God’s ability to help him, giving him the best rest there is — peace of mind.
So if you are feeling mentally drained or stressed out, take David’s example. You don’t have to go to a vacation home. Go to those “green pastures” and “still waters” in consciousness. Make prayer a priority. It doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Your desire to turn and listen to God can happen in a moment. Your spiritual sense will help you respond to the intuitions divine Love is sending you. This will replace stress and fear with the confidence that God is governing your life. You can feel spiritually rested and recharged–ready to face the world refreshed.