''Be still and know I am God''
Be Still
And Know That I Am God
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46:1
This is a very simple truth, yet it is so easy to forget. I know I need to be reminded of it constantly. Without much thought we can get caught in the world’s current of rushing here and there without so much as time for thought and reflection on God. It is so hard to be still.
Silence itself is often avoided at all costs. Even at home “relaxing” we must have the TV on, or the radio, or the CD player, or the tape recorder, or...anything just as long as we don’t have silence. The things we listen to may be good, encouraging, and building. There is a time for that, but there is also a time to be still before God.
If you think silence is easy, try it. Pick a time when you are alone. Turn everything off. As much as your environment allows eliminate all sound. Then sit in a comfortable chair and just think about God. Don’t pray or speak out loud. Just sit, be still and mediate. How long is it before your mind wanders? How long before you are bored? 10 minutes...5 minutes...2 minutes...???
Even our “quiet” times are often filled with activity such as prayer and Bible Reading. Of course, prayer and Bible Reading are vital to a successful, healthy Christian life. But so is a time of silent mediation. Silence is often what we neglect and yet that is often when we can learn to know God. We develop a deeper sense of relationship as God makes His Truth alive to us in times of stillness.
As we make time daily to be still before God, we will find our minds and spirits becoming more calm. It is so easy to get in a rush and a panic and end up being driven by circumstances and fears. When stillness becomes a habit, then when panic or fear raises it’s ugly head we will be better able to handle it. We will not be swept away in negative emotions or circumstances but will be able to draw on the peace and strength of God.
If you have never specially practiced stillness before, now is a good time to start. Examine your schedule and make time - ideally daily but at least weekly. Start small with a few minutes and then work your way to a time that is good for you. Keep your mind centered on God. Consider Who He is and what He has done. Learn to discipline your mind so that it doesn’t wander. If it does wander bring it back as soon as you realize what has happened. It becomes easier with practice. Some will find it harder than others. But don’t give up. Your relationship with God is worth perseverance.
Be still and know that I am God: 10 ways to recognize God's power in times of trouble
When we face difficulties in our life that would make it seem as if we are on a ship being tossed upon a stormy sea, how exactly can we be still and a strength to our family while a storm rages around us? As I looked up the definition of still in the online Merriam Webster Dictionary, not only was I enlightened when I learned the definition for still, but learned very valuable lessons from its synonyms as well.
Here are ten words and their definitions that can teach us how to be still in the times of a storm and recognize the power of God.
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Still: free from noise or turbulence; untroubled
When we are free from outside noise or turbulence, we are able to hear the still small voice of God's Spirit as he comes to comfort and guide us through our trials. Some of the noise we experience that could be blocking our ability to feel God’s presence is our own worry. When we learn to change our thoughts from negative to positive, we are more able to feel God’s love because we are in harmony with him. The noise and turbulence is replaced by a sweet melody of peace.
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Calm: a period or condition of freedom from storms; a state of tranquility
To be calm does not mean that the storm is no longer all around you, it means that the storm is no longer within you. The storms may still rage, but you are free from the effects of them. They no longer trouble you because you know in whom you have trusted. You are in a place where you no longer fear.
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Hushed: to put at rest; mollify-to soothe in temper or disposition
Often times, when trials come, we tend to get angry with God and cry out in complaint. When we do this, we lessen our ability to feel the Spirit, because we leave no room in our hearts for the Spirit to dwell. God cannot dwell in a heart that is full of anger. It is when we learn to put at rest our complaints and cast our burdens on the Lord, to hush our cries and wait upon him, that we will find solace. He will bind our broken hearts.
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Peaceful: untroubled by conflict; devoid of violence or force
Sometimes when difficulties arise, we allow the anger and frustrations from those trials to push us into violence, or we try to force our will upon the Lord. Neither one of these choices will bring us peace. When conflicts come and we are untroubled by them because of our faith in God, only then can we know peace.
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Placid: serenely free of interruption or disturbance
We can learn to be still as we pray, read scripture, go for a walk, meditate or give ourselves time to ponder free from interruption or disturbance. This not only allows us to communicate with our Heavenly Father, it allows our Heavenly Father to communicate with us.
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Restful: marked by, affording, or suggesting rest and repose; being at rest
Often times, the busyness of life makes it impossible for us to truly hear what God is trying to tell us. It is when we SLOW
down and allow ourselves the opportunity to rest that our mind and heart can focus on those things that are of the greatest importance. God wants to talk to us, but we have to be ready and available to listen. -
Serene: shining bright and steady
While reading with my children during home-school, I learned that the sun does not rise and the sun does not set. It is an illusion. Instead, the Sun stays still, steady and bright, and as the Earth turns to face the sun, that is when the morning comes. The darkness of night comes when the Earth turns away. It is the same with us. In our trials, when we turn to face the Son, who is steady and bright, just like the Earth, we are filled with light. If instead we choose to turn away from him, the darkness of night will surely come. Choose to face the light.
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Quiet: gentle, easy going, i.e. quiet nature
When we are gentle and easygoing, we are more able to hear God’s commands. He gently persuades us to love him and serve others. We are more able to ease our own troubles, and we will carry God’s spirit within us, which will aid us in easing the burdens of others.
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Stilly: in a calm manner
When we approach life, and our trials, in a calm manner, we are more able to see the bigger picture and outline a plan of recovery. Not only does it allow us to have a clear mind, but it allows us to help calm the fears of those around us.
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Tranquil: free from agitation of mind or spirit
When our mind and spirit are still, our whole body is at peace. We are able to see things with a clear mind, feel things with a pure heart and hear the voice of our Heavenly Father with ears that are open and in tune with his spirit. We will know God because we will be one with him.
“Be still and know that I am God,” is not just a saying, it is a state of being. It is the ability to know God well enough to trust in his abilities to rescue you. As we learn to be still and trust in God, we come to know and understand that we are God’s children. We are never alone, never unaided and never forgotten. He will come to us. All it takes is for us to be still.