Be Still And Know - command
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a
Be still - a command that is difficult to accomplish in some stages of grief and other times dreadful, depending on the reason for being still. Maybe you are being still because your sadness has consumed you. Maybe you are being still because you feel lonely. There are many circumstances that could lead to being still and feeling downcast or forgotten. Thankfully, the command in Psalm 46 does not stop there.
Be still AND - the command has more to it! Yes, be still, no matter our emotional state, but what else? Be still and know. That is the full command and something I greatly need to improve on.
If you are like me, you may struggle with being still. Life gets busy and it is easier to push grief into the boxes of life we want it in instead of facing it head on at any moment. Maybe, like me, you think it is okay to be busy because you still know God is who He says He is, but what I have been realizing lately is, although I have the head knowledge and genuine belief, my attitude towards Him has not been one of knowing who He is. I desire control. I desire instant gratification. I desire my plans to go the way I want because I am walking a hard road and feel others do not often consider that. That leads me to being prideful and selfish. All of this because I do not take the time to be still and to truly know (trust in) who God is.
If this is you this week, let me encourage you with this: God knows us deeply and fully and understands where we are in our grief. He is kind enough to give us grace, as well as chances to try again when we fail to trust Him. So, as we enter into a week where we may desire to be in control or desire to stay busy as a distraction, let us strive for being still, and not only that, but also knowing and trusting that He is who He says; He is God. Let us not feel defeated when we mess up or feel discouraged, but let us find joy in knowing He has already given us grace and another chance and He is not leaving our side in this grief process. Why? Because He is good and He is God. All we have to do is be still and know.
