Be Still and Know
The Unwelcome News
“No pickleball for a week.”
“What?! A whole week?!” I cried.
My chiropractor replied with her calm, yet firm voice, “One week.”
Not only was my hip hurting, but now disappointment set in as I realized I wouldn’t be able to participate in my new favorite pastime – playing pickleball with my husband and friends. Just the day before I was using crutches to get around the house after playing one (well ok, two) too many games that morning. One week of sitting out seemed like forever.
What activities or routines bring you the most joy?
How do you react when you’re forced to pause them?
Divine Timing and Perfect Preparation
It didn’t escape my notice that just that morning, during my daily P.A.U.S.E. with the Lord, I had been spending time in Pslam 46 - that well-known passage where we are commanded to “be still.”
Psalm 46: God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved;
God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
In Our Storms
Look at all of the ways God is manifested through this short psalm. He is:
· Our refuge
· Our strength
· Very present help in trouble
· In the midst of her
· With us
· Sovereign over all the earth
· Exalted in all the earth
Which of these characteristics of God do you need to be reminded of most in your current season?
When Our World is Shaking
Also, let’s consider what the time of trouble may be:
· Though the earth be removed
· Waters roaring
· Mountains shaking
· Nations raging
· Kingdoms are moved
Chaos in nature and in our human lives can cause so much stress and worry in our lives, which if left unchecked, quickly carries us to a deeper state of anxiety. Anxiety causes a stirring and unrest in our minds, emotions, and even our physical bodies.
As women, I believe many of us are “fixers.” When we see something isn’t right, we want to make it right. We might not slow down enough to let some of the issues work themselves out, or more likely, we don’t let God work the issues out according to His plan and purpose.
Are you a “fixer?” What situations in your life are you trying to control instead of surrendering to God?
A Song for Women
I find it so interesting that this song was written by the sons of Korah for Alamoth. A quick look in the foot notes of my study Bible explains that “Alamoth” means the song has been composed specifically to be sung in the higher ranges of the female voice.
Hmmm, I wonder if this is because us girls have such a hard time being still?
In this entire song, verse 10 is the only place where we hear God speaking directly to His people in the first person, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Though mountains are shaking and waters are roaring, though it may seem our world is falling apart around us, we are commanded to be still and know that He is God.
He is our refuge.
He is our strength.
He is our very present help in time of trouble.
We must still our minds. Stop overthinking how to fix every issue.
We must still our hearts. Stop letting emotions control our thoughts and actions.
We must still our bodies. Stop being so busy fixing and doing that we’re moving too much to hear from our God.
It is only when we obey His command to be still that we can really know Him.
My Current Storms
At this time in my life, I have several significant concerns:
· My son is serving in the military and is currently deployed to a potentially dangerous location.
· My daughter is having some pregnancy issues that place her at high risk
· My husband and I are facing an important ministry decision
These storms can sure keep my heart and mind roaring and shaking. Could it be that some of my busyness is rooted in trying to stay too busy to be able to think about these storms. All of this puts the focus on me, myself and I, when in truth, God calls me to know HIM.
What storms are currently raging in your life? How might God be calling you to shift your focus from the storm to your Refuge and Strength?
The Unexpected Gift
Now, two weeks later, I’m still not able to play pickleball. This has been frustrating and challenging for me as I have to move slower and be more cautious as I make my way around my regular activities trying to give my hip time to heal. I have to sit down and set aside time to ice and heat my injury.
But I am thankful for this time as well. I can honestly say that I am learning my lesson about “being still.”
Sometimes God uses unexpected pauses – injuries, delays, setbacks – to teach us what we might not learn any other way. In our culture of constant motion and productivity, stillness can feel foreign, even uncomfortable and frustrating. Yet it is in these quiet moments that we often hear God’s voice most clearly.
· How is God inviting you to be still today?
· What might you discover about Him if you stopped trying to fix everything?
· In what ways could an unexpected pause in your life actually be a gift?
I pray you find the courage to be still and the peace that comes from knowing He is God fills your heart and mind.