Be Still
Have you ever tried to dress a two year old?
Perhaps I should rephrase that. Have you ever tried to wrestle a two year old, pin them down, and fit their thrashing body parts through several tiny holes and sleeves that somehow turn into Chinese finger traps as soon as an arm or leg enters them? Curse any clothing designer who would dare to put REAL buttons on a toddler's outfit. Dressing a resistant and struggling little kid is not for the faint of heart, and when you have more than one to dress, God bless you. :)
I'm pretty sure this test of parental patience is exactly how God views his kids every time we find ourselves in the middle of a life crisis. I plan to dig a little deeper in a future post into how to handle major trials when they come, but for today we are focusing on step number one, which is where the inspiration for the title of this blog comes from!
What do we say to our own kids when they are rolling around like they just had bugs dumped down their pants? "Be still!!" I mean, some other choice words may also accompany those, but that's the general gist. Please just hold still for a minute so I can get this job done! What should take mere seconds ends up taking much longer than that, and it might include a few laps around the house trying to chase them down.
One of our first reactions when something horrible takes us off our guard and totally turns our world upside down is to FREAK OUT. Someone has betrayed us or someone has been hurt or has gotten a bad diagnosis. We're calling friends, we're calling relatives, we're asking google, we're sobbing, we're trying to immediately fix whatever the problem is as quickly as possible so that life can get back to "normal" again. We're full of fear and dread and anxiety. We ask "Why?? Why me? Why this? Why now?" It's not fair! We throw pity parties. In short, we're generally like a toddler who is thrashing all around.
Meanwhile, God is patiently standing in the corner waiting and watching, and if you quiet yourself down for just one second you can hear the words that he is mouthing from across the way. Do you know what he is saying? That's right. "Be still."
Time after time in scripture, we see people freaking out and losing faith right when they need it the very most. It's part of our human nature, I suppose. But there is no problem that God cannot fix.
Let me repeat that one more time, for special emphasis: There is NO problem that God cannot fix!
Ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough.
I don't care how complicated your situation may look today, God can fix it. In one breath he can change your circumstances from dire to hopeful, if that is his will. And he can mend broken hearts and make them new again when things don't go according to our plans.
This is a message that God has been giving me over and over again as I have faced trials in my own life. I can't seem to open up the Word of God anymore without a "be still" scripture popping up right in front of my face. But don't just take my word for it. Take a little journey back in time with me, will you?
Moses is leading the Isrealites away from their life of slavery in Egypt (Let my people go!) and they are marching their way through the desert when suddenly they spot danger in the distance. At God's prompting Pharaoh and all of his army have decided they want their slaves back, and they are going to chase these people down. What do the Israelites start to do? Freak out, of course! They start yelling at Moses "Weren't there enough graves in Egypt - why the heck did you bring us out here to the desert to die??" They are losing their minds saying that they would rather go back to their lives of slavery than be in their current position.
Oh, but here comes my favorite part - Moses replies to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
And did the Lord ever fight for the people. This was that famous Red Sea moment, where the Israelites crossed on dry ground and the entirety of Pharaoh's army drowned when they tried to cross. God came through in a big, miraculous way! But what had to happen first? "The lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Don't lose your heads! Or as God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on." (I love this, by the way. I say the same things to my kids, haha! "Why are you crying to me about it? Just do what I told you to do!")
Give it to God, let him handle it, and it's done. But the longer you hold onto your problem and get in the way, the longer it will take to see restoration in your situation. This doesn't mean that you will always see an INSTANT answer or resolution. Sometimes there is growth and healing in waiting. But I assure you that even when you think nothing is happening...something is happening!
God's ways are higher than ours. It's like we're walking through a corn maze and he has an aerial view. We may not be able to see the way out, and we may only be able to turn left and right at his instruction not knowing what is going to come next. But trust that God is leading you right where you need to go...eventually you will come out on the other side. He knows the way! Be still. Listen to his direction, and you will find the way out.
We see this same "be still" message from God over and over again throughout the bible.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10
"Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers." 1 Samuel 12:7
"Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes." 1 Samuel 12:16
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Psalm 27:14
"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
"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:26
This is merely a sampling of all that scripture has to say about being still! Whatever trial you are facing today, pass it through the "Be still" filter. There are at least three ways we can be still in any circumstance.
1. Be patient! Be still and know that God is God. Wait on the Lord's timing. He is intricately weaving things together that you cannot see to make things happen at exactly the right time.
2. Be quiet or physically still! Make sure you are not trying to play the Holy Spirit in any situation. Do not be a stumbling block to His work by trying to manipulate the situation on your own strength. Still your tongue...this is especially true if someone else is involved in your situation. Don't fight or argue.
3. Don't freak out! Do not panic, trust in Him. Do not react based on your feelings or your perceived circumstances. Faith is belief in things unseen. You don't have to worry or be afraid, because when you give your situation to God, you are in the BEST hands possible!
So when dread or anxiety begins to build up inside of you over any situation, please repeat these words to yourself. Take a deep breath. "Be still." Pray that God will take the situation in His hands. Ask him to lead you and guide you into the Promise Land of your circumstance. I'm telling you, this stuff works! Why else would I name this entire blog after this promise of God? It is in the act of standing still that God can be God and mountains can move! Miracles happen! Lives are changed and our problems are fixed as swiftly as possible when we stand still. Like dressing a toddler, it only takes longer when we act a fool and try to fight against the one who knows what He is doing.
Isn't is AWESOME that we have a God that tells us every day, "Give your problems to ME! I will handle them. Stop worrying and enjoy your life!" I mean, what a huge relief! What a wonderful, merciful, and patient God we serve!
Have a great day!
Perhaps I should rephrase that. Have you ever tried to wrestle a two year old, pin them down, and fit their thrashing body parts through several tiny holes and sleeves that somehow turn into Chinese finger traps as soon as an arm or leg enters them? Curse any clothing designer who would dare to put REAL buttons on a toddler's outfit. Dressing a resistant and struggling little kid is not for the faint of heart, and when you have more than one to dress, God bless you. :)
Two year old stink eye compliments of our daughter Charlotte. :)
I'm pretty sure this test of parental patience is exactly how God views his kids every time we find ourselves in the middle of a life crisis. I plan to dig a little deeper in a future post into how to handle major trials when they come, but for today we are focusing on step number one, which is where the inspiration for the title of this blog comes from!
What do we say to our own kids when they are rolling around like they just had bugs dumped down their pants? "Be still!!" I mean, some other choice words may also accompany those, but that's the general gist. Please just hold still for a minute so I can get this job done! What should take mere seconds ends up taking much longer than that, and it might include a few laps around the house trying to chase them down.
One of our first reactions when something horrible takes us off our guard and totally turns our world upside down is to FREAK OUT. Someone has betrayed us or someone has been hurt or has gotten a bad diagnosis. We're calling friends, we're calling relatives, we're asking google, we're sobbing, we're trying to immediately fix whatever the problem is as quickly as possible so that life can get back to "normal" again. We're full of fear and dread and anxiety. We ask "Why?? Why me? Why this? Why now?" It's not fair! We throw pity parties. In short, we're generally like a toddler who is thrashing all around.
Meanwhile, God is patiently standing in the corner waiting and watching, and if you quiet yourself down for just one second you can hear the words that he is mouthing from across the way. Do you know what he is saying? That's right. "Be still."
Time after time in scripture, we see people freaking out and losing faith right when they need it the very most. It's part of our human nature, I suppose. But there is no problem that God cannot fix.
Let me repeat that one more time, for special emphasis: There is NO problem that God cannot fix!
Ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough.
I don't care how complicated your situation may look today, God can fix it. In one breath he can change your circumstances from dire to hopeful, if that is his will. And he can mend broken hearts and make them new again when things don't go according to our plans.
This is a message that God has been giving me over and over again as I have faced trials in my own life. I can't seem to open up the Word of God anymore without a "be still" scripture popping up right in front of my face. But don't just take my word for it. Take a little journey back in time with me, will you?
Moses is leading the Isrealites away from their life of slavery in Egypt (Let my people go!) and they are marching their way through the desert when suddenly they spot danger in the distance. At God's prompting Pharaoh and all of his army have decided they want their slaves back, and they are going to chase these people down. What do the Israelites start to do? Freak out, of course! They start yelling at Moses "Weren't there enough graves in Egypt - why the heck did you bring us out here to the desert to die??" They are losing their minds saying that they would rather go back to their lives of slavery than be in their current position.
Oh, but here comes my favorite part - Moses replies to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
And did the Lord ever fight for the people. This was that famous Red Sea moment, where the Israelites crossed on dry ground and the entirety of Pharaoh's army drowned when they tried to cross. God came through in a big, miraculous way! But what had to happen first? "The lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Don't lose your heads! Or as God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on." (I love this, by the way. I say the same things to my kids, haha! "Why are you crying to me about it? Just do what I told you to do!")
Give it to God, let him handle it, and it's done. But the longer you hold onto your problem and get in the way, the longer it will take to see restoration in your situation. This doesn't mean that you will always see an INSTANT answer or resolution. Sometimes there is growth and healing in waiting. But I assure you that even when you think nothing is happening...something is happening!
God's ways are higher than ours. It's like we're walking through a corn maze and he has an aerial view. We may not be able to see the way out, and we may only be able to turn left and right at his instruction not knowing what is going to come next. But trust that God is leading you right where you need to go...eventually you will come out on the other side. He knows the way! Be still. Listen to his direction, and you will find the way out.
We see this same "be still" message from God over and over again throughout the bible.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10
"Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers." 1 Samuel 12:7
"Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes." 1 Samuel 12:16
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Psalm 27:14
"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
"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:26
This is merely a sampling of all that scripture has to say about being still! Whatever trial you are facing today, pass it through the "Be still" filter. There are at least three ways we can be still in any circumstance.
1. Be patient! Be still and know that God is God. Wait on the Lord's timing. He is intricately weaving things together that you cannot see to make things happen at exactly the right time.
2. Be quiet or physically still! Make sure you are not trying to play the Holy Spirit in any situation. Do not be a stumbling block to His work by trying to manipulate the situation on your own strength. Still your tongue...this is especially true if someone else is involved in your situation. Don't fight or argue.
3. Don't freak out! Do not panic, trust in Him. Do not react based on your feelings or your perceived circumstances. Faith is belief in things unseen. You don't have to worry or be afraid, because when you give your situation to God, you are in the BEST hands possible!
So when dread or anxiety begins to build up inside of you over any situation, please repeat these words to yourself. Take a deep breath. "Be still." Pray that God will take the situation in His hands. Ask him to lead you and guide you into the Promise Land of your circumstance. I'm telling you, this stuff works! Why else would I name this entire blog after this promise of God? It is in the act of standing still that God can be God and mountains can move! Miracles happen! Lives are changed and our problems are fixed as swiftly as possible when we stand still. Like dressing a toddler, it only takes longer when we act a fool and try to fight against the one who knows what He is doing.
Isn't is AWESOME that we have a God that tells us every day, "Give your problems to ME! I will handle them. Stop worrying and enjoy your life!" I mean, what a huge relief! What a wonderful, merciful, and patient God we serve!
Have a great day!
Thank you for your post! Thought provoking as usual, and well spoken. I have been carrying a message from Spiritual Shrubbery with me since I read it - I try to be more thoughtful and intentional (or, "Be Still") with my words and actions. I have been very reflective on past situations where I can now so easily see that being "quick" to react is/was the work of Satan; I should have "been still" and looked for God's answers in the quieter places. Definitely a work in progress for me personally, but your posts have been incredibly helpful already. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt is so encouraging to hear the past posts are still resonating with you. That is great! So glad we can lift each other up. :)
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