Be Still

How good are you at being still?  What if someone tells you, “Be still!”  Does it make you want to keep talking? Do we fight stillness?  Does the world around us sometimes literally beg us to be anything but still?

It seems so simple, doesn’t it?  And yet, I know it definitely doesn’t come naturally for me. Oh sure, I can be quiet if I’m watching a movie or reading a book.  But is my mind truly still?  Not even close.  There is something going on virtually all the time.  No wonder we’re exhausted at day’s end!

So let’s talk a little more about what true stillness entails, and how we can benefit from that quiet.  I’ll use myself as a poor example of the biblical admonition, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10).

My best attempts at being still usually come twice a day.  Once after I’ve finished my morning devotions, and again as I’m falling asleep at night.  During both of those times, I’m attempting to be quiet while I pray to God.

But during the morning prayer time, if I stay on the couch and actually pray to God, it is so often hurried and brief and distracted because … well, I’m distracted! I’m already thinking about what my day holds, and whether I’m prepared for all that entails.  I can usually fit in some specific requests for my friends, and maybe a general, “God, help me to be a better witness for you today,” or some variation of that.  But was I truly still?  Far from it.

What about the bedtime prayers?  You’d think that would be the ideal time.  The day has mostly wound down, there’s not much going on at this point, and I could easily be still.  Sadly, even that is a rare occasion.  More likely I’m actively processing every little detail of what the day held.  Maybe chewing on a few bones that I shouldn’t!

And if I do find myself able to quiet my mind and my heart?  Then I’ve probably fallen asleep not long after.

Such a challenge this quiet time is!

While those previous descriptions are far too often my routine, I have been able to attain some true moments of quiet solitude from time to time.  And it’s from those rare occurrences that I want to share what’s been helpful, and the benefit I’ve received from it.

• Whenever possible, be intentional about when and where you will have this uninterrupted time.  Schedule it if you must – and let your family know you need it.  It can be just 10 minutes. Or find it in those rare moments when you aren’t with someone.  (That’s pretty easy for me!)
• Do pray when you begin, and ask God to give you his peace, his quiet, and his focus.  Ask him to help you hear his voice.
• My preferred position is to be lying on the couch or on the bed, but I’ve also found success with my head down on my desk.  (More times than I want to admit!)
• Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and then intentionally think about … nothing!  After my initial prayer, I even stop praying.  Just quiet.  Admittedly, this is hard for many women, but remember, you’ve just asked God to help you do exactly that.  I’m amazed that this Type-A brain of mine actually shuts off during these times.
• Don’t get anxious if no new thoughts enter your mind.  God may be teaching you how to be quiet for more than 30 seconds.
• But, also, don’t ignore what could be his voice directing your thoughts.  As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit living within you, and guiding those thoughts.  Don’t underestimate that power!
• Expect God to give you something.  He longs to spend time with us, so he isn’t likely to always be silent during these times.
• When you believe God has given you some direction, or some new insight, ACT upon it!  Or write it down so you don’t forget!  These are precious nuggets from Almighty God.  Treasure them and honor God by obeying him.

What have I gained from these times of true solitude?  So much!

• Comfort from the heartache of being a widow, as I’ve felt God’s presence more keenly.
• New directions, or confirmed directions in this grief ministry – and in life.
• Encouragement to reach out to someone that day who God knows needs a kind word, or a listening ear.
• Specific ideas for the ministry projects I’ve worked on – especially after I’ve all but given up.
• A deeper, truer sense of forgiveness for those I believe have wronged me.
• An all-encompassing knowledge of God’s unconditional love for me.
• Blog post ideas, time after time after time – including today’s.

Your “benefits” will look different from mine, but they will be exactly what God knows you need.

If this isn’t part of your spiritual walk, or you know you aren’t as close to God as you’d like to be, why not give this a try, with an expectant and open heart?  God isn’t mad that you haven’t done this lately, or at all.  He longs to have these precious times with you.  You’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:7