Be still and know that I am God
10
ways to recognizeGod's power in times of trouble
Tiffany
Fletcher
When
we face difficulties in our life that would make it seem as if we are on a ship
being tossed upon a stormy sea, how exactly can we be still while a storm rages
around us?
Every time a trial comes to me or my
family, I think of the words from the Bible in Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” and I
am often comforted.
Sometimes, though, I wonder just what it means to be still
and what exactly I need to do to make that happen.
When we face difficulties in our life that
would make it seem as if we are on a ship being tossed upon a stormy sea, how
exactly can we be still and a strength to our family while a storm rages around
us?
As I looked up the definition of still in
the online Merriam Webster Dictionary, not only was Ienlightened when I
learned the definition for still, but learned very valuable lessons from its
synonyms as well.
Here are ten words and their definitions
that can teach us how to be still in the times of a storm and recognize the
power of God.
· Still: free from noise or
turbulence; untroubled
When we are free from outside noise or
turbulence, we are able to hear the still small voice of God's Spirit as he
comes to comfort and guide us through our trials. Some of the noise we
experience that could be blocking our ability to feel God’s presence is our own
worry. When we learn to change our thoughts from negative to positive, we are
more able to feel God’s love because we are in harmony with him. The noise and
turbulence is replaced by a sweet melody of peace.
· Calm: a period or condition of
freedom from storms; a state of tranquility
To be calm does not mean that the storm is
no longer all around you, it means that the storm is no longer within you. The
storms may still rage, but you are free from the effects of them. They no
longer trouble you because you know in whom you have trusted. You are
· Hushed: to put at rest; mollify-to
soothe in temper or disposition
Often times, when trials come, we tend to
get angry with God and cry out in complaint. When we do this, we lessen our
ability to feel the Spirit, because we leave no room in our hearts for the
Spirit to dwell. God cannot dwell in a heart that is full of anger. It is when
· Peaceful: untroubled by conflict;
devoid of violence or force
Sometimes when difficulties arise, we allow
the anger and frustrations from those trials to push us into violence, or we
try to force our will upon the Lord. Neither one of these choices will bring us
peace. When conflicts come and we are untroubled by them because of our faith
in God, only then can we know peace.
· Placid: serenely free of
interruption or disturbance
We can learn to be still as we pray, read
scripture, go for a walk, meditate or give ourselves time to ponder free from
interruption or disturbance. This not only allows us to communicate with our
Heavenly Father, it allows our Heavenly Father to communicate with us.
· Restful: marked by, affording, or
suggesting rest and repose; being at rest
Often times, the busyness of life makes it
impossible for us to truly hear what God is trying to tell us. It is when we
slow down and allow ourselves the opportunity to rest that our mind and heart
can focus on those things that are of the greatest importance.
· Serene: shining bright and steady
While reading with my children during
home-school, I learned that the sun does not rise and the sun does not set. It
is an illusion. Instead, the Sun stays still, steady and bright, and as the
Earth turns to face the sun, that is when the morning comes. The darkness of
night comes when the Earth turns away. It is the same with us. In our trials,
when we turn to face the Son, who is steady and bright, just like the Earth, we
are filled with light. If instead we choose
· Quiet: gentle, easy going, i.e.
quiet nature
When we are gentle and easygoing, we are
more able to hear God’s commands. He gently persuades us to love him and serve
others. We are more able to ease our own troubles, and we will carry God’s
spirit within us, which will aid us in easing the burdens of others.
· Stilly: in a calm manner
When we approach life, and our trials, in a
calm manner, we are more able to see the bigger picture and outline a plan of
recovery. Not only does it allow
· Tranquil: free from agitation of
mind or spirit
When our mind and spirit are still, our
whole body is at peace. We are able to see things with a clear mind, feel
things with a pure heart and hear the voice of our Heavenly Father with ears
that are open and in tune with his spirit. We will know God because we will be
one with him.
“Be
still and know that I am God,” is not just a
saying, it is a state of being. It is the ability to know God well enough to
trust in his abilities to rescue you.
As we learn to be still and trust in God,
we come to know and understand that we are God’s children. We are never alone,
never unaided and never forgotten. He will come to us.
All it takes is for us
to be still.
Would you want to have a
deeper relationship with God?
God has made it possible
for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in
your own life by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following
prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and
my sins have separated me from you.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past
sinful life and live a new life pleasing to you.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid
sinning again.
I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died
for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my
life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank you that
according to your Word, I am now born again.
Please send your Holy Spirit to help me
obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life.
Please use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.”
lyrics
Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beast from the wild
Shall be led by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beast from the wild
Shall be led by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Tiffany Fletcher, author of "Mother
Had a Secret: Learning to Love my Mother and her Multiple Personalities"
http://motherhadasecret.blogspot.com/
https://familyshare.com/2088/faith/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god-10-ways-to-recognize-gods-power-in-times-of-trouble
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