Give Me A Quiet Mind
Learn to nurture a quiet soul
“Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:4)
1 Peter 3:4, encourages women to beautify themselves with the imperishable beauty of a quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. “Quietness” stands in marked contrast to the “loudness” that characterizes an ungodly woman (Prov. 7:11). When we think of the word “quiet” the first thing we normally think of is audible sound. We equate “quiet” with “not talking.”
So does God expect us to shut our mouths and never say anything? Are we not allowed to express our opinions? Or discuss, deliberate, or disagree? Does godly womanhood mean we get out the duct tape and slap and “X” over our mouths? That we mutely nod our heads up and down like bobble head dolls?
When the Bible talks about quietness, it’s not referring to an absence of verbal noise as much as it’s referring to an absence of spiritual noise. Although there’s a connection, quietness has more to do with the state of our hearts than the quantity and volume of our words.
Quiet describes a mindset of calmness, serenity and tranquility. It’s being settled, steadfast, and peaceful. A quiet disposition is like a still, peaceful pool of water, as opposed to a churning, agitated whirlpool. A quiet spirit is the opposite of an anxious, distressed, disorderly, and clamorous one.
I think Amy Carmichael got the idea right in her poem, “Give Me a Quiet Mind” in which she cries out to the Lord to give her this beautiful disposition:
GIVE ME A QUIET MIND
When winds are blowing, waves are rising, falling
And all the air is full of dust and spray;
When voices, like to sea birds’ plaintive calling,
Confuse my day;
Then, then I know Thee, Lord of highest heaven
In newborn need discover Thee, and find
Nought can discomfort him to whom is given
A quiet mind.
When hopes have failed, and heavy sadness crusheth,
And doubt and fear would weave their deadly spell,
Then thought of Thee my troubled spirit husheth;
And all is well.
In midnight hours when weariness ignoreth
Heaven’s starry host, and battle wounds are mine,
Then Thy right hand uplifteth and outpoureth
Love’s oil and wine.
O Blessed Lord, beyond the moment’s sorrow
I see above, beaneath, before, behind–
Eternal Love. Give me today, tomorrow,
A quiet mind.
(From the collected poems of Amy Carmichael)
Father, Give me a quiet disposition, a peaceful spirit that refreshes everyone I come in contact with. Amen.
Questions: Are you finding it hard to be quiet? What are some things you can do today to calm your mind and give your burdens to the Lord?
5 Responses to “Give Me A Quiet Mind”
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
>Watch
- Contact
- |
- Advertising
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Link to Us
- |
- Media Releases
- |
- What we believe
What keeps my mind quiet is focusing on Christ and through praise.
This was a beautiful poem. When I need a quiet mind I meditate on the 23rd Psalm. I know it by heart but I actually imagine it. I say the words and state them in a new way. I think about each word’s meaning. For example…the Lord is my shepherd (I think of what shepherds do…how they protect and watch over the sheep.) I shall not want….(I don’t need anything…God gives me all I need.) And so on. It always works. You should try it.
I have been praying for a more settled mind. I over think everything. This is something I definitely need to pray and work to change. Thanks for good devotional and wonderful poem.
Thank you so much. This is one of my absolute favorite devotionals.
When my mind is running in numerous directions I ask the Holy Spirit to bring me peace and to help me consentrate on the one thing that God wishes for me to focus on at that particular time. The cares of this world and the enemy of our souls try to keep our minds toooo busy so we loose ouor focus on what God desires. Sometimes I just go outside for a bit of fresh air near the calm lake outside my home and such always brings me back to a place of peace. Be still and know that I am God.