Share the Hope!


We started a new series last week!

It’s called, “The Fill My Empty Cup Series.”

These are practical posts about how you and I can be filled to the brim and useful for God and His Kingdom.

Last week’s post – “How to Be More Useful for the Kingdom.”

Today, let’s talk about pausing.


Pausing.

Taking a quiet moment.

Stopping to smell the roses.

Taking a few long, deep breaths.

Halting a TV show so we can take a break.

Life is filled with moments when we pause.

To pause is to temporarily stop in our actions or in our speaking.

Most important of the

What is the most important pause or temporary stop of the day?

There is a moment (or several) in my day where I practice this pause.

Others who have gone before me have practiced this important pause – my great-grandparents, my grandparents, and my parents.

Many of my teachers, mentors, and pastors have practiced this pause as well.

In the Old Testament, Hannah, David, Daniel, and Isaiah practiced this pause. The Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul practiced this same pause in their lives.

The Bible is filled with pauses. In fact, in Psalms, the word “Selah” was often used to indicate a break or a pause in the song or the poetry.

What is this most important pause for you and me?

The most important pause in our day is that moment when we look to heaven, acknowledge our Creator, and thank Him for His goodness to us.

most important of the photo 4

As we focus our attention on our Lord, we admit that we need Him. Without Him and His power, we will fail.

Be still before the LORD, all mankind because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Zechariah 2:13

As we focus our attention on our Lord, we admit that we need Him. Without Him and His power, we will fail. Click To Tweet

How do you pause?

1} Take a moment to be still and quiet.

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Psalm 46:10-11

2} Direct all of your total attention to heaven.

The LORD is in his holy Temple. All the earth—be quiet in his presence.

Habakkuk 2:20

3} Tell Him that you love Him and you need Him.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:5-6

most important of the photo 1

When do you pause?

1} Pause when you wake.

2} Pause when you are stressed.

The LORD will fight for you while you keep still.

Exodus 14:14

3} You can pause when you are lonely.

4} You can pause when you are in need.

5} Pause when something good happens. Celebrate with God!

6} Pause when you are struggling.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7

7} You can pause when someone you love is struggling.

8} Take a moment to pause and say “thanks” before a meal.

9} Pause when you are hurting.

10} You can pause when you are uncertain.

11} Before you close your eyes at night, pause and thank God for the day.

Reflect on all that has happened and remember ways He has been there for you.

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”

Exodus 14:13



Why does it matter that you and I pause?

1} Pausing completely changes our focus.

2} It reminds us we are not alone.

3} In pausing, we are reminded that God is with us and for us.

Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!

1 Samuel 12:16

most important of the photo 2

4} Pausing keeps us healthy and balanced.

5} It gives us courage.

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”

Exodus 14:13

6} Pausing encourages our hearts.

7} It fills us with joy and with peace.

You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on you because he remains in you.

Isaiah 26:3

One final thought about pausing

Honestly, the biggest reason that I need to pause every single day is to be reminded that God is in control of everything.

I am not.

When I pause, I get my perspective corrected. When I pause, I am reminded that I am not alone. And, when I take a moment to pause, I find great peace and calm.

Honestly, the biggest reason that I need to pause every single day is to be reminded that God is in control of everything. Click To Tweet

So, what not try the most important pause today?

Our rest lies in looking to the Lord, not to ourselves.

Watchman Nee

most important of the photo 3


Fill my cup, Lord. That’s what we are talking about all month!

Last week… How to be More Useful for the Kingdom – by being filled

Join us again next week for more hope and practical instruction on how you can be filled to the brim.


Want more hope and encouragement??

Here are a few of the best posts of my friends that I read this week:

The Necessity of Hope by Susan Mcilmoil

How Would You Describe Who Jesus is to You? by Pam Blosser

Do You Suffer from a Little Crazy Too? by Christy Mobley

The Number One Reason to Start Journaling by Amy Elaine Martinez

7 Reasons Why Connecting to the Ultimate Love Matters by Lori Schumaker

So, What’s All the Fuss about Carbs? by Tammy Langston

Loving Well Doesn’t Always Feel Like We Are Loving Well by Gretchen Fleming and Sue Donaldson



Encouraged by what you read?

Would you share this article with a friend, co-worker, or family member?

Maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. For more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.



helloredds@gmail.com

Best-Selling Author | Speaker | Blogger| Podcaster | When the world is falling apart, we can ALWAYS trust in God’s goodness!

7 Comments

Lauren Gaskill · 02/13/2018 at 9:17 AM

Needed to read this today >> “Without Him and His power, we will fail.” Amen, amen, amen!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 02/13/2018 at 1:48 PM

    Amen, Lauren.
    Sure do appreciate you and your encouraging words.
    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

Beth · 02/12/2018 at 2:14 PM

I take these pauses in my day, Melanie, but the one that really helps me most is when I’m needing to change my focus. So often I get distracted and begin to rely on myself or others to give me what only God can provide, so pausing to refocus on Him is invaluable. I’ll be pinning this and remembering to pause to be still and know God throughout this day and onward!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 02/13/2018 at 1:40 PM

    Hey Beth,
    I so agree. I need these pauses as well. It’s so easy to get distracted.
    Thank you for sharing this article.
    You bless me!
    Melanie

Jane Bishop · 02/11/2018 at 9:55 AM

Melanie, I love your post today about taking the time to pause. I found your words to be encouraging as well as calming. I pause when I wake early each morning, read my passages for “through the Bible in a year” & pray. But your additional suggestions calmed me. Your writings give me a sense of peace.
Thank you so much & May God continue to bless you.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 02/11/2018 at 2:26 PM

    Thank you, Jane! Your words are very kind and affirming.
    So glad you were encouraged as you read!
    You bless me today!
    Melanie

20 Awesome Things - What Happens When We Pause · 03/10/2018 at 4:14 PM

[…] The Most Important Pause of the Day by Melanie Redd […]

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *