The end-time proclivity of 'running to and fro' like so many ants is not something of God. He did not intend for us to live in such a fast-paced world.

We cannot hear God speak when we are distracted by other things. The best environment to hear what God is trying to tell us is one of peace and quiet.

We tend to think of being still just in terms of movement, but it also includes ceasing to talk as an excess of speech is both wearisome and stressful.

In these tumultuous times, if we really want to know what God is trying to tell us, we need to calm down, be still, and listen intently to His Word.

The word shalom denotes 'making something whole' or returned to well-being or good health. True biblical shalom refers to inner completeness and wholeness.

Only when we are still can we truly concentrate on knowing God. When our lives are upside-down, confusion and chaos reign, making spiritual growth difficult.

If we will simply sit still, be patient, and let events run their course without trying to interfere in them, we will soon learn how God works.

Peace is almost impossible to achieve, much less to find, in hectic times. We must come out of that confused, pulsating lifestyle before we can have real peace.

We need to be on guard against dissipating our energy, becoming over-immersed in activity and busyness to the point of losing overall effectiveness.

The sheepdog must be instantly obedient to the master's commands, self-controlled, able to influence and direct without unduly frightening the sheep.

God put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.