“I'm Learning to Be Still”
“Be still, and know that I am God; …”
B. Michelle writes:
Be Still and Know
Lately I have been prompted by God to read and reflect on Psalm 46 (once again). As I read it again and again, one verse lept off the page.
It was verse 10, “Be still and know …”
One night in the midst of keeping up with my busy schedule, I heard the voice of God, the lover of my soul, say clearly, “Be still and know that I am God.”
God told me that I had let the cares of this world drown out His comforting voice. In my distress, weariness, busyness, and impatience, I had forgotten the importance of being still and knowing that He is God.
God was sweetly telling me to stop trying to do it all, be it all and know it all.
When I was on my knees, silent and unmoving, God revealed more of Himself to me than I could have ever hoped for.
God said, “Be still, daughter, and know that I am God.”
As I gave Him my weariness I began to worship. As I gave Him my pain I began to praise. As I surrendered my confusion, His purpose became clear.
The enlightenment I needed was sweeping over me in waves of glory. As I knelt in silent worship, God lifted me up above my circumstances.
The next week my family and I traveled on a cruise to Bermuda. A huge storm rolled in, and in the middle of the ocean, the eleven-story cruise ship rocked liked it was a toy.
And yet at that moment of despair, I felt the loving hand of God comfort me, and the still small voice of God said, “Be still and know that I am God.”
I thought, “Yes, God, I’ll be still, because there is absolutely nothing I can do or should do at this moment but trust.”
I looked out the grand ballroom window at the raging storm. I saw the tide rise high as the ship, and in that split moment I knew that everything was going to be alright … because I knew that God was in control — the creator of heaven and earth (including the ocean!) was in control.
Be still and know that God is God.
Whenever you get frazzled, weary, busy, and allow the cares of this world to drown out the voice of God, get quiet and do what the Psalmist says: be still and know that God is God.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 20th, 2008 and filed under God's Love, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, Verses, Prayer, God's Sovereignty.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear B. Michelle:
I, too, have a tendency to “try doing it all, be it all, and know it all.”
Instinctively, however, I feel the Divine Presence and Power, and leave matters with Him.
This is ultimately due to the fact that His Word upholds me.
“Moses said to his people, ‘Do not fear! Stand still, and see the Salvation of God which He will accomplish for you today.’” (Exodus 14:13).
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed… So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His Lovingkindness, and for His Wonders to the sons of men!” (Psalm 107:28-31).
“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).
“And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, in order that you may know that I am the LORD….” {Isaiah 45:3).
“Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea: ‘Hush, be still,” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm…How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).
Truly, we can all be confident and trust in Him that: “…FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” (Romans 9:17).
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you, Make His Face Shine upon you;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
“Be Still” means STOP and know that I am God… An acronym for STOP: S=Step aside, out of the situation, T=take yourself O=out and P=Pray… I am learning to “step aside, take myself out of the situation, and Pray, then trust God and leave it in His hands…”
“Be still, stop, and know that I am God… Thank you Father.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
Good Morning my Sister Michelle
I thank you for your inspirational story. I myself, allow things to do, people and lifes ups & downs, to fill my mind and day. Reminders, your story, badly needed. To allow God to do what He does best, EVERYTHING. I am realizing that daily quiet time is a must to allow myself to hear what God wants me to hear.
Thank you for being a blessing to me and all your readers. Let God continue to use you for His glory.
Love You Sister Michelle
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Michelle,
Can I say your story has touched my soul so very deeply. I’ve also been wrestling with things of my everyday life and still I can’t see the light ahead of all the stuff we tackle in 24 hours.
My job,school,my parents,my neighbors/hood, etc., and I’m aware when God speaks to me,to have faith to wait on Him, but I still want to believe that I can do it all…
Hmm, who am I that I can’t be honest and true to myself and say You Can’t Handle It All. Be still and know that I am God….my obedience lies here, in the comfort of His arm, knowing He will handle it all. Then He arose abd rebuked tge wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39-40
Michelle, thank you again for your words of encouragement and letting me know that I can see the big picture one day through God’s eyes.
May God continue to bless and keep you each and everyday.
Carla Jamison
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
It is an honor and a privilegde to call you mom, and to know the i’ve been blessed with the great opportunity to witness God moving in your life. Your vision is a constant reminder of Phillipians 4:13. Continue to allow God to use you, he will continually direct your path.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Thank you for sharing this site and your words.
God Bless you for your example.
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
hey love web and you too great job proud to call you grandmomand i’m sure lyssie is too love you much diva gurl!!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Hi Michelle
Thank you for your lovely words of praise. God is good. We live the fast daily race of life and we sometines forget to be still and let God. God is with you when all around has gone. He will give you peace. What would we do if he weren’t there. The whole world is in trouble its the storms of Life. We need God more than ever. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me..Philippians 4:13.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I’m learning how to be still and let God be God. No matter what the situation, or circumstance, no one can heal, deliver, save, love, forgive, like God can. It reminds me of the song “Stand”. After we have made a mess of trying to do what is out of our control, that’s when we Let God Be God. I need to learn how to know when things are out of my hands, and place them at His feet.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Jesus said on the night of his departure to his disciples, “…Let not your heart be trouble,” because they did not understand where the Master was going? They could not be still that night when they came to take Jesus, and take him to the high preists to jugde him cause of his claims as the Messiah. Scripture says, they all ran away to thier own house. But as for you, stillness came in knowing God is in control of your life, but the disciples were still learning the Master’s teaching. The exhortation Jesus gave to them was about his Father’s house, abiding places, heaven, but you know the rest of the story because you are abiding in Him. Always praying that God has tranformed your heart and mind to reach the weak and feeble.
LT
June 25th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Once again your words have impact way beyond the page. Thank you for not keeping it to yourself but letting us all share in this beautiful gift you have been given by the Lord.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Thank You my Sista!!!!
“Be still & Know that I am God” I thank God for using you to inspire,build up & encourage.We all get to places in our lives were we wonder “Why Lord”.I know now to simply say “Yes Lord I will be still”.
May God continue to richly & abduntantly Bless You!!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
WOW, it is one thing to hear you in person but a totally different experience to read your words… As always it truly is a blessing to get what you get from God. This story has confirmed for me once again that in many situations in my life right now I have to know to be still and know that God is God. I have to hold on and TRUST HIM…STOP trying to fix it all and everyone! Thanks again for I know now I must be still and know that he is God and in control of me as well as every situation. Michelle, continue to allow God to use you in every way possible! Love you much!!!!
October 18th, 2008 at 12:58 am
BE STILL IS THE MESSAGE GOD HAS GIVEN ME TO SHARE A CHURCH THIS COMING SUNDAY NIGHT.
I WAS PEACEFULLY CONCERNED IN WHAT TO SHARE AND WHICH SCRIPTURE VERSES I SHOULD USE.
SO “BE STILL’
NOW MY HEART IS FULL OF EXCITEMENT AND READY TO SHARE JUST WHAT THE LORD HAS LAID ON MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRITATION. THERE WAS ONE REPLY ABOUT A CRUISE, I HAVE BEEN ON MANY AS I AM A TRAVEL AGENT AND I HAVE SEEN SEAS AND SEAS. GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL.
BLESSING TO ALL THAT READ THIS. Song:
BE STILL FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD,
THE HOLY ONE IS HERE
COME, BOW BEFORE HIM NOW,
WITH REVERENCE AND FEAR.
IN HIM NO SIN IS FOUND, WE STAND ON HOLY GROUND BE STILL, TOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD THE
HOLY ONE IS HERE.AMEN HALLEUJIAH