Have you mastered being still with God? Or are you a perpetual work in progress in this area like me? You might understand and even experience the benefits, yet you still struggle to quiet yourself long enough to hear what God has to say.
What if we reminded ourselves that there is so much more to being still with our Lord than what we could ever comprehend?
Each year I sit with God and ask Him to reveal a verse and a goal for the year. This particular year I was excited to sit and talk with God. My previous year’s scripture had been, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Honestly, I thought I had nailed it and experienced the benefits of sitting still with God. I was eagerly looking forward to seeing what He might have in store for me in the new year.
Surely God Had a New Plan
I could barely wait to settle in my quiet time chair. As I calmly sat, I prayed, “God, what verse do you have for me this year?” Anxiously I waited for a new one to come to my mind. I was listening intently for God’s voice, but I heard nothing further. So I continued with my questions, “Where is it you want me to grow and learn this year?” I sat and sat, and would you believe He gave me the same darn verse.
Of course, it is a beautiful scripture and rich with meaning. However, I was frustrated.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Is There More to Being Still?
My responses and questions to God flowed out of me at rapid speed, “Why, God, am I not ready for something new? Is there something more to being still. Lord, I know I need to sit with you. It is important to me too. No, I don’t do it perfectly, but I have made a habit of sitting with you daily. I know the benefits from the inside out. God, what on earth could I be missing?”
Did I Fail?
My frustration with God’s choice quickly changed to feelings of failure. I berated myself; God can’t trust me with something new. He knows I can’t get it right, so he keeps sending me back to the same darn verse. I will never be who God wants me to be.
Do you ever have feelings like you have failed God?
I want more than anything to feel the victory of being obedient to God. However, He keeps sending me back to the same place and the same verse. He must have a reason.
Perhaps It Isn’t a Failure
God knows I struggle with being still. Productivity and getting things done are how I like to roll. He made me with high energy and tons of capacity, so why would God ask me to sit still again? After all, I could be doing things for God instead of resting with God.
Why wouldn't God let somebody else do the sitting and let me do the doing? Now that makes more sense to me. But that is why He is God, and I am not. Share on XHe created each of us so uniquely different, and He knows what is best for us. God knows I do not rest well, which leaves a gaping hole for the enemy to enter.
As the years have gone by, I have settled my mind—this is my life verse. Not because I have mastered it but because this scripture is something I desperately need.
When I accepted this was my verse to stay, I wondered—was there more to it than what seemed to be so obvious? Did I understand what “be still” meant in the context of the verse or in my life? Was there something more I was missing?
Is There More to Being Still with God?
My working definition of “be still” works well in my life. I need to be quiet, cease doing, and listen to God. The time spent is a necessity to refuel and replenish. Plus, it is pretty amazing to hang out with the Lord. As I quiet myself, it brings me closer to an intimate relationship with God.
All of the above is true and good.
However, There Is Still Much More to Being Still
The original Hebrew word used for being still is raphah. It means to stop striving, to cause yourself to let go, to willingly submit ourselves to God and his control, surrender to God, to slacken off, leave alone, become weak, to relax, to let alone, to be quiet, to be silent, inactive or still.
The part which stands out like flashing red lights is—
In our stillness, God wants us to let go. #bestill #maredee Share on X
To give it all to him, one must actively cause the letting go; it doesn’t just happen. My being still with God was never wrong, but there was so much more to comprehend.
Let Go
Are you holding on to something which you need to let go of? If so, I encourage you to take a piece of paper out and scribble down what you need to let go of and take it to God – let him have it. Of course, if you are anything like me, this will be something you need to do over and over again. My dear sweet friends, there is so much more to being still than just being in the presence of God, which is pretty amazing in itself.
For doer’s like ourselves, isn’t it gracious of God to give us a task even in this: giving over all to Him. There. Something to do! Great post, Maree and yes certain things are life long more than year long… for me, too
Sue – I love this comment. Yes, God is gracious and think of everything. Maree
Oh I am so glad that you reposted this at the LMMLinkup today. The Lord gave me the word “still” a few years ago, when I didn’t want to hear it also. But ever since then, He continues to bring me back around to it and shows me deeper meanings also. This “letting go” to Him is one of the lessons that He is currently taking deeper in me. Thank you so much for sharing, and bringing the Lord’s confirmation to me today.
Bettie, Thank you for stopping by. Your words mean more than you can imagine. God is leading me to the “letting go,” but I tend to be resisting a bit. However, I love my time with God when I quiet my heart and sit still. Blessings, Maree
I actually have Psalm 46:10 in a sticker stencil over the desk in my home office.
I appreciated so much your transparency in your struggle and I found great encouragement by what God has been teaching ;you in the area of being still before Him. Thanks so much for sharing!
Karen – Your stencil sounds beautiful. I would love that on a wall. Thank you for your wonderful comment. I appreciate you. Maree
God has this patient way of reminding me i always have more room to grow. I spent a whole year working on surrendering and find that I still hold too tightly to some of the same things I thought I had let go of. I appreciate the reminder that I am a work in progress and God has all the patience and grace to walk us through the process.
Yes, we are so fortunate God is patient. My word (phrase) for the year is letting go, which is not too far off from “Be Still.” So I am a work in progress too.
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This is a constant on and off struggle for me. Thanks for making me feel unalone in it. Praying for you as I pray for me today. laurensparks.net
Thank you for your prayers. I am praying for you too right now. Blessings, Maree
Being still is definitely a work in progress for me. One of the skills I still need to master. When I am still, I can better hear God’s whisper.
Laurie, Amen! Nice to know I am not the only work in progress. Maree
Maree, I love reading how different verses take a hold of different people and lead them in all kinds of directions they wouldn’t have expected. What a process this was for you, and so wonderful to know that the verse didn’t stick around for so long because you were doing something wrong, but because God had so much more for you. Hugs, friend!
Lois,
Ah, thank you for your beautiful comment. I hope you have had a wonderful week. I too love hearing how different verses impact people in new ways. Maree
I have had to learn to be still. The Hebrew even has root words related to healing. The letting go is like a release of your Spirit to His, why you see people figuratively slain in the spirit, you are not dead but more alive in Him, you don’t have to be in church but you learn to be still by practicing His presence. His peace is a gift.
Thank you for adding to the conversation on “Being Still.” I didn’t realize the part about slain in the spirit. It is always nice to learn more. I hope you have had a good week. Maree
Thanks for these excellent reminders, Maree Dee. Psalm 46:10 is the key verse in my new book, The Heart That Heals. Pinned and Tweeted. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Patsy,
Is your book out yet. I tried a quick search but didn’t see it. I would love to hear more about it.
Maree
Maree, I am retired, live alone and have no grandchildren, so I was seeking God about what was on His heart for me to major on for the rest of my life. Being STILL in His Presence is what He requires of me, also. I have recently read Flee, Be silent, Pray, by Ed Cyweski, and it helped phenominally. BUT I expect to be learning more every day for the rest of my life. I long to experience ever deepening depths of:
In the Presence of the Lord is fullness of JOY.
God bless us all as we journey towards STILLNESS.
Mary – I love that you are seeking God. I have no doubt you will hear from Him, and he has a very important assignment for you. Have you ever considered being a sort of adoptive grandparent? Kids can never have too many people willing to invest in their lives. So many kids now days don’t have any grandparents willing or able to invest in their lives. They are missing out. Just a thought.
Thank you for mentioning the book. I am going to look into it since you said it was phenomenal. I love reading and wish I had more time for it.
So glad you stopped by,
Maree
Thank you for this. I use to be impatient and try to rush God. Your post reminded me to wait for him and to let him do his work. Thank you
I am so glad my post reminded you to wait for Him. It is hard. I need constant reminders. I hope you have a great day. Glad you stopped by. Maree
Philippians 4:4-7 Do not be anxious – definitely a life verse. “I’m not anxious God” – “Why are you still trying to fix everyone and everything?” – “Oh,yeah, um, keep working on me ” 🙂
Paris, What a great verse. I am so glad you commented. The question you posed is perfect to see if one is anxious. I always say, “I don’t worry.” However, I sure do a great deal of fixing or trying to figure out how to fix. Maree
I don’t do the sitting still and letting go well. These are great words!
Glad to know I am not alone. I see, know, and feel the benefits yet find it hard to do.
Oooo did I not love that chart of yours! Really enjoyed how you broke this verse and “action” of being still down. God has always used this verse with me so I was especially interested in your insight Maree.
Gretchen,
I am so glad you like the post. You are not alone I can hear God right now asking me, “So are you going to be still now.” I have had such a busy day doing things God would want but at the same time I know he just wants me to be still. Figures I am struggling with it in the middle of writing about it.
Maree
Hi Maree, What a wonderful post about a wonderful verse! Hebrew words seem to be much more rich and descriptive than our English words, don’t they? I love how God took you deeper into that verse! Thanks for inspiring us to go deeper too! ~Alyson
Alyson,
Yes, it is so true the Hebrew meanings are rich and descriptive and sometimes tell more than our English words. I used never to want to take the time to look further into scripture, but I sure was glad I did on this verse. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day. Maree
I always love Psalm 46’s confirmation that the stillness of God can come in the midst of the “mountains falling into the midst of the sea.”
Blessings to you, Maree.
Michele,
Don’t you just love it when the stillness comes in the middle of mountains falling? I love that unexplainable peace. Hope you had a great Monday. Maree
I constantly need to be reminded of this verse too! For me, being still is important because it reminds me that God is in charge and that everything does not depend on me or what I do.
Lesley – Good point, it does remind me too that God is in charge, not me. What a sense of relief when I allow myself to go there. Thank you for adding to the conversation. Maree
Hi Marie!!
Very interesting indeed….I did not know that “Being still” is letting go ….to surrender what you are holding on too tightly and give it to God.
I though it meant to “be quiet.”
Yes, it applies to every situation in life where we need to let go.
Another verse just came to my mind. “Let go and let God.”
I have a Christian friend of 24 years…and I need to let go of her.
Our relationship is not healthy…..I did let go of her…but…in the back of my mind I am thinking of her and what she is doing…
Kalyani, I do still believe the meaning can be “be quiet” but is so much more. I agree it applies to every situation in life. I don’t know about you, but I have many areas I need to let go. I like “Let go and Let God.” I am sorry to hear about your friendship of 24 years and the need to let go. Gosh with that many years behind you it makes sense that you are thinking of her. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend. Maree
Maree-Such truth here and my thoughts are echoes of yours here too. I spent all of last month focusing on ‘letting go’ and I know first hand how easy it is to clutch rather than let go. Or grab it back again after surrender. Thanks for this reminder that being still with God includes letting go.
Jill,
Yes, it is so easy to grab it back after we let it go. Thank you for the reminder to spend focused time on letting it go. It isn’t always easy. Thank you for stopping and leaving your wise words. Maree
Yes, yes, yes! I NEED THIS SO MUCH right now. Thank you for sharing your experience and revelation. It’s encouraged me to be more intentional with pursuing the quiet time with God. <3
Kristina,
I would love to hear how you are more intentional with your quiet time with God. I think many of us struggle with being still. Blessings Maree
This post is so timely for me, as my OneWord for this past year has been stillness. God has been showing me so much about being still with Him. But I don’t know why I had not done a study on the Hebrew meaning of the word yet! Thank you so much for including that here. I needed this tonight. Blessings to you!
Bettie,
You are so welcome. Please do share what you have learned. I would love to hear how your year has been. Have you found stillness getting easier? Any tips for all of us? Have a great weekend. Maree
Thanks Maree Dee! One of the biggest things about stillness that I have begun to learn is to let Jesus bring stillness to my thoughts. I discovered when I began a discipline of centering or silent prayer, that it was excruciating for me to sit in silence with Him, even for 5 minutes. As I let Him help me with this, I can see Him bring more peace to me. It is definitely an ongoing lesson for me!
Bettie, I couldn’t agree with you more sitting with Jesus brings peace. I too have found it hard to sit in silence with him, but the more I practice it and see the rewards I am all in. Of course, I have to keep redirecting back to sitting.
Happy Saturday!
Maree
Love this Maree Dee, “In our stillness God wants us to let go.” I needed to hear these words today. I have been a bit anxious due to the recent hurricane and the impact on my community (I live in Central Fl). Today, I need to let go and let God be God – these words will definitely be placed on a post-it on my desk as a daily reminder. Thank you for sharing!
Robin,
I am so glad my words were just what you needed today. I bet you have been anxious if you live in Florida. Is your family all safe? Did you have much damage to your property? I bet the suffering is all around you. Sending prayers right now as I send this.
Maree
Sometimes I wonder how I’m supposed to “be still” when life it so hectic I feel like I can hardly keep up! Such great reminders in this post. Thank you so much for sharing!
Edie,
I am right there with you. It is so hard to “be still” yet so rewarding.
All the Best,
Maree
Yes, thanks for bringing out a more accurate meaning of this verse. Other versions say cease striving, the Gesenius’ Lexicon says leave off our attempts and let God. That makes me think of when we try to do a work in our own efforts. Much more to glean, I’m sure. Like I wonder if He is going to do a miraculous work? I’m interested to hear your thoughts this month, Maree!
Kelly,
Thank you for sharing more information on this verse. I frequently get busy and overwhelmed and then realize somewhere along the way I forgot God. I look forward to your wise word this month as we dive into being still.
Have a great day!
Maree