Be Still and Know

Be still, and know that I am God. 

-Psalm 46:10

Stillness is a gift we rarely open. Life rushes at us—appointments, responsibilities, endless to-do lists—and we convince ourselves that slowing down is a luxury we can’t afford. But when we ignore stillness, we also ignore the voice of God, which doesn’t shout over the noise. It waits patiently in the quiet, hoping we’ll pause long enough to hear it.

For me, stillness hasn’t always come easily. I spent so much of my life moving—physically, emotionally, spiritually. As a mother, a partner, and someone navigating recovery and healing, it often felt like there was no time to stop. Stillness felt indulgent, even lazy. But then life forced me to slow down.

When I was going through chemotherapy, my body demanded rest, but my mind still raced. Questions swirled: Am I doing enough? Am I being enough? How do I prepare my family for life without me? It was in one of those restless moments that I heard something—quiet, gentle, undeniable: Be still, and know that I am God.

At first, those words felt like a challenge. Be still? When everything feels like it’s falling apart? How? But as I sat with them, I realized stillness wasn’t about doing nothing. It was about surrendering my need to do everything.

What Does It Mean to Be Still?
Stillness isn’t just physical. It’s a state of mind, a willingness to let the chaos settle and trust that the answers we seek are already within us. It’s like sitting by a lake at dawn. When the water is calm, it reflects the sky perfectly. But when it’s disturbed, the reflection disappears. Our souls are like that lake. Stillness lets us see clearly again.

But let’s be honest—stillness can be uncomfortable. When we stop, all the things we’ve been avoiding—fear, doubt, pain—can bubble up to the surface. Yet, this is where the knowing begins. When we’re still, we make room for God to reveal Himself, not as something separate from us, but as the very essence of who we are.

Ask Yourself:

• When was the last time I truly allowed myself to be still?
• What might I discover if I stopped trying to control everything?

Finding Stillness in Everyday Life
Stillness doesn’t have to mean hours of meditation or complete solitude. It can be a moment in the morning, before the world wakes up. It can be a breath taken in the middle of a busy day. It’s less about the how and more about the why.

For me, I’ve found stillness watching the sunrise, or even while cooking. These simple acts ground me, reminding me of the divine in the ordinary. Stillness isn’t about escaping life; it’s about finding God right in the middle of it.

A Gentle Invitation
Today, I invite you to carve out a moment of stillness. Sit in silence, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Let your thoughts come and go like passing clouds. Don’t try to solve or fix anything—just be. And in that being, know that you are held by a love that needs no words.

Remember: God isn’t found in the noise. He’s waiting for you in the quiet. Be still, and know.