Be Still

Aside from being impulsive and a natural overthinker, I am also terrible at simply staying put. Doing nothing means a lot of thoughts to munch on, many situations to blow out of proportion, and a lot of possibilities to consider—most of which end horribly in my imagination, thanks to my inclination toward pessimism.

The silence that comes with being still is always harder for me than for others, I think. The uncertainty and anxiety that often come with it are mentally exhausting and depressing because I tend to get wrapped up in myself rather than focusing on the Master of the universe. The more I learn about God, the more I understand that what He requires of us is complete trust that allows Him to quiet our thoughts and still our fears.

We are like Peter. We take our eyes off Jesus and allow life’s roaring waves to assail us. We start to wonder what we are doing by attempting to walk on the sea.

We doubt our deservedness and competency for the opportunities that come our way. We wonder what we were thinking when we stepped out in faith, trying to navigate unfamiliar, or even familiar, terrain. And then we sink, overwhelmed by everything around us.

That is when Jesus reaches down to help us in answer to our cry for help.

When we stop struggling to keep our heads above the water and look to Jesus, the sound of the angry waves will start to become quiet inside our heads, even though they may still rage about us. He calls us to be still, to trust Him completely, and to stay put.

He invites us to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).

Nothing at all. Instead, we can bring everything to Him in prayer and, with gratitude, let Him know the desires of our hearts as we rest in total dependence on Him.

I have been learning to do that each day: To commit and submit my will to Him daily. To learn to love the silence and stillness that come with trusting Him—even when it feels as though everything is falling apart. I am learning to be still.

Learning to know that He is God.

And I am praying that you will learn this too.

Kristeena Daniella Abbey