Amid all the highs and lows of life, it's wisdom to regularly step back from the busyness, stop what we're doing, and acknowledge who God is and what He can do. This creates a stillness on the inside of us, which will provide comfort and peace.
Stillness also brings clarity. It draws you into the moment and makes thoughts and ideas clearer than they were before. Taking a simple moment to be still and clear your mind could be the difference between making a decision that will lead you down the wrong path and one that will lead you down the right one.
Stillness and quiet help us let go of a life of noisy, frenetic agitation so we can be still and know that God is right there with us.
The Bible talks a lot about stillness and getting in the habit of quieting everything down internally. As we do, we"ll find ourselves by-passing conversations, pursuits, arguments, and the world's noise that normally can create needless agitation and stress.
God says, "Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). This exhortation to, be still was written to Israel, most likely in a time of war. God is commanding them to "stop fighting, striving and trying to do things on their own, and He still says the same thing to us today.
It's easy to be fearful when things aren't going well or when faced with challenges and conflicts. Amid these struggles, however, God reminds us to wake up and recognize who's on our side and encourages us to stop stressing about any battles ahead and to trust Him instead. He is our refuge and strength, and we have nothing to fear or worry about when He is with us.
To be still and know that He is God means to step back, open our eyes, acknowledge who God is, and consider what He can do. Let Him be God, and don't try and do His job for Him.
Today I encourage you to be still even in the midst of your everyday tasks because these moments of daily stillness will help:
Reduce stress and anxiety.
Provide health benefits, lowering cortisol levels and blood pressure
Help you refocus on what's important.
Help you to let things go.
Increase clarity.
Improve concentration and focus.
Calm, racing thoughts.
Stimulate creativity.
Improve insomnia
Draw you closer to God as you become more aware of His presence
Practice stillness when you first wake up in the morning. Instead of picking up your phone, checking social media or emails, take one-two minute to lay in your bed and be still.
On your way to work, take the last two to five minutes of your commute and be still. Turn off the radio, sit in your car or find a place to sit outside your office or place of work/education and be still.
Focus on your breathing and the nearness of God all around you. He is Emmanuel – God with you, and as you quiet your heart and mind, you will find him in the quiet. (Matthew 1:23)
Take some time to practice being still today and discover how stress, fear, and agitation diminish from your life because stillness is powerful and "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7)
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39)
Prayer: Lord, help me be still and to stay free from the "noise" that often causes me to become agitated and stressed. Thank you that I find clarity, peace, and strength as I practice stillness. In Jesus name Amen.
"For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, "In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and confident trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15 AMP)
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