By Tonya S. Swindell

My mom is a big fan of Psalm 37 and she recites portions of it during our conversations. Like a mama bird feeding a hungry chick nourishment needed for survival, my mom pours out inspiring words that satisfy my soul so I may endure.

Because of her willingness to share strategies for living a faith-filled life, I listen as Mama reminds me to: Trust in the Lord; delight myself in Him; commit my way unto Him; rest in Him and wait patiently for Him.

Mama acknowledged that trusting God isn’t easy, especially when the situation for which she’s trusting feels scary or uncomfortable. But she encouraged me by talking about times she trusted God and He remained faithful to His Word.

Like the psalmist, she was able to confidently say, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Recently Mama and I talked about benefits of delighting in the LORD. Psalm 37:4 indicates He will give me the desires of my heart if I pursue happiness in Him. I rejoiced at the thought of God looking into my heart, seeing my desires and blessing me.

But I got even more excited when considering the benefits of intentionally enjoying the LORD’s presence. Things I hope for would gradually link up and sync up with God’s desires for my life and position me to receive His blessings.

As I commit my way unto God, He promises to order my steps, act on my behalf and bring His will to pass in my life. With knowledge of His promises, I can learn to be still and know that He is God. I can also learn to wait patiently for Him, believing He will renew my strength.

Google indicates “rest” means “to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.” Collins English Dictionary says “wait” means to: “hold oneself in readiness (for something).” The same dictionary describes “patient” as enduring trying circumstances with an even temper.

As Mama continues to testify about trusting, delighting, committing, resting and waiting on the Lord, she prophesies that what God has done for her, He will do for me and others. The Aug. 13 entry from “Jesus Calling,” by Sarah Young, did a good job describing what it means to trust, delight, commit, rest and wait:

“Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with you. I crafted you with enormous capacity to know Me and enjoy My Presence. When My people wear sour faces and walk through their lives with resigned rigidity, I am displeased. When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever-present Shepherd. The more you focus on My Presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your pleasure in Me. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the watching world.”

Tonya Swindell writes a blog for www.inspirenewlife.org and is a teacher for Kingdom Building Equipping School (KBES.com). She can be reached at 1brightot@gmail.com.