Sitting in God’s Presence
I love when I get the opportunity to simply sit in God’s presence. But there was a season when things were really hard, and even sitting before Him felt like a struggle. I remember the Holy Spirit telling me, “Come and sit—and don’t say a word.” I would try to sit there in silence, yet my mind would fill with everything imaginable. I’d think about shopping, friends, ice cream—then suddenly memories of painful situations from my past would start rolling through my mind.
I became frustrated because I was trying so hard to focus on God. I wanted to lay these thoughts on the altar, but my mind seemed to fight me every step of the way. I was in a battle, and it left me exhausted.
I would ask God, “Can I play some worship music? Can I pray in my spiritual language?” And He would simply say, “No.”
One particular time during those sessions, after sitting for a while, I finally told Him how overwhelmed I felt by all those racing thoughts. As I sat with Him, He gave me a vision. I saw spirits coming toward me—literally rushing at my mind. Then He said, “Every time you try to remove a thought, you are battling those spirits. But when you release control to Me, they cannot touch you.”
Y’all… God let me see those spirits looking at me. And I saw clearly that when I let go and surrendered control, they could not come near because I was walking in step with Him.
I asked God, “Why am I experiencing all of this?” And He said, “I am removing what is blocking you from reaching what is coming.”
In that moment, the words of Dr. Juanita Bynum came to mind: “What we go through now is for the future.” Everything God was taking me through in that season was preparation for something ahead—something I needed to be ready for.
Over the years, I’ve learned that sitting in God’s presence is difficult whenever we try to stay in control of any part of the moment. Isn’t that wild? Sitting with YHWH—yet trying to control my own thoughts. Sitting with ELOHIM—who already knows what I’m thinking and what I’m going to say before I even say it.
All He asks of us in His presence is surrender. When we release control, He guides our spirits into a place of deep peace and holy reverence. In those moments, you find rest for your spirit and joy for your soul.
Key Takeaways
Sitting in God’s presence requires surrender of the mind, will, and emotions.
We are taught to control our thoughts, but God invites us to release them to Him.
When we surrender everything to God, that is the place where He meets us.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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