Be Still

Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.”
We are living in turbulent times to say the least. Rising energy prices, a soft economy, unstable foreign powers, poverty, disease, and wars abroad dominate headlines. In our own lives, we and those we love face health, job, relational, and other issues. We experience anxiety. We worry.

This is nothing new to God, nor is it a surprise. The names and dates and specifics change, but the same basic challenges to humankind persist. We want God to solve problems, especially our problems.

But God says to us, “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s not easy to be still when things aren’t going well. We tend to either put our heads down and grind toward a solution or allow anxiety to consume our thoughts. Instead, God wants us to be still – not in some idle way, but to be still in order that we might know that he is God.

When we stop what we are doing and contemplate God, he gives us perspective and peace. We remember his character – all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful. We remember that he sees backward and forward in time with equal clarity. We remember that he is a faithful God who works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). We remember that in our own strength we cannot solve our big problems, and we remember that he says, “Trust me”. Not necessarily to solve every problem but rather to walk with us and guide us through life’s challenges. The best thing I can do when I am feeling overwhelmed with life’s challenges is to be still and remind myself of who God is, and once again simply say to him, “I love you and I trust you – may your will be done in my life.”