Be still.
Some days just suck. There’s no getting around it… Some days just suck.
Be still.
Some days absolutely nothing goes your way and it seems like the whole world is against you.
Be still.
Some days the sun just can’t seem to find it’s way through the storm clouds.
Be still.
Some days trust is broken and it seems it can never be repaired.
Be still.
Some days love does not win and our hearts hurt.
Be still.
Some days God calms the storm… and other days He calms His child.
And in that truth, I find my hope.
Today has been one of those days. Heck, this whole week has been made up of them. One of those days that keeps me spinning in circles searching for shelter. One of those days that pushes me to question my faith, my heart, my mind. One of those days that panic and desperation are pounding on my soul, but through all the destruction, I find my hope in God’s words…
“Be still and know that I am God”
And when I read those words my reality comes into perspective making my troubles seem a little bit smaller.
Who am I to worry about the storm rolling my way when I have a God like mine by my side? How ignorant can I be to question the power and control that God has over this and every unsound road that I travel?
Be still.
Trust is such a difficult concept. A concept that we as imperfect people struggle with and can’t seem to quite wrap our minds around. But even so, we are expected to trust in so much. Trust that the weather report on my phone is right, trust my professors to know what the heck they’re teaching in class, trust my boyfriend to stay true to me, trust my friends to keep my secrets, trust my heart when I change my major for the fifth time, and the list most certainly goes on… Trust is most definitely a game changer and without it, any relationship, romantic or otherwise, is futile.
Be still.
The world is a messed up place. And it’s a messed up place because it’s composed of messed up people. There are so many reasons not to trust, so many reasons to doubt, and so many reasons to worry. But in those times of weakness, we are called to be still. Because there is one place in which our trust is safe and secure and that is in the hands of God.
Be still.
Seems easy, right? Just put your trust in God and your life will magically fall into place. Oh how I wish that were the case.
Be still.
God promises us refuge and love and rest, yes, but what He does not promise is a picture perfect life. He does not promise smooth sailing, but the strength to withstand the storm. He promises us peace just as long as we are still.
One question that has always haunted me is why God allows His children to undergo hardships. It doesn’t make sense to me why a God who claims to love me would watch me struggle and hurt and cry and not intervene. I don’t get why we have to endure tragedy if we serve an all-powerful God who only wants the best for us. But I guess that’s why I’m not the one in control… Because I don’t have the wisdom that God possesses and sometimes I just don’t get it.
Be still.
I would love to say that I’m able to put my trust in God and His perfect plan for my life in every situation, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. There have been times in my life that I have put my trust in God and have been overcome with blessings. And there have been other times that I have put my trust in Him only to feel alone and as if I misplaced my reliance. But the truth is, I was never alone and my trust was not misplaced, I was just unaware of God’s design for my life.
Be still.
My best friend Christian never fails to tell me that everything I’m going through is in God’s plan for my life, even when I don’t want to hear it. I’ve had a tough time lately as doubt and mistrust have crept into my core towards people I hold very close to my heart and towards God as well. And when the angry tears started flowing and I was looking for someone to validate my anger and resentment, I was met by Christian’s calming words that this too is in God’s hands and everything does happen for a reason.
Be still.
Everything happens for a reason… Every bump in the road, every mountain top experience, every smooth sea, every fender bender, every heartache, every single hardship and dream come true that you experience is occurring for a greater purpose. I don’t know about you, but I think my life is in much better hands with God and His judgment than with my own.
Be still.
God is full of surprises. My life has turned into an adventure I never could have conjured on my own in both good ways and in bad. I don’t think I will ever fully understand the goodness of God’s plan for my life, but I do know I trust His insight and I encourage you to do the same. It won’t be an easy journey and there are bound to be hardships along the way, but God promises that when He does let the wind and waves go wild, His overwhelming comfort and peace will come to His child.
Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.
“Be still and know that I am God”
Be still.
