To read all the posts in the 31 Days series, click here.

On weekends, I’m posting a graphic and verse…a simple reminder to Be.

(And can we pause for a moment to acknowledge this is my 20th post? IN A ROW??? 11 more to go. I think I can, I think I can…)

Today’s verse is Psalm 4:4. I used the American Standard Version for the graphic, but also love The Message Translation: “Complain if you must, but don’t lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.”

I love this so much, because it gives us permission to feel. Permission to be. Whether it’s anger or frustration or outrage, it tells us to go ahead and feel what we feel, but to also search for the reason behind the feeling…to get to the root of it. Is it fear? Pride? Hurt? Those feelings are valid. But it’s our reactions to those feelings that become the sin. And instead of acting on the feeling — God’s saying to stop, sink in, relax and BE STILL. The hardest time to do it — no doubt. But also the most important time.

Still practicing this myself. Daily.

Have a blessed Sunday, friends.