Be Still

by Brandy Webb

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing at all. I really think God is trying to teach me how to be still, let go, and trust Him. I know how I am supposed to behave when facing trials that I can’t fix, but I still find myself fretting and trying to figure out a solution. As if I can somehow control the situation and make the problems go away.

I know that we have free will to make decisions every day, but we can’t control the outcome of those decisions. In fact, we don’t have control over much of anything. We can’t stop the sun from rising or the wind from blowing. No, we have the gift of choice but not the gift of absolute control. Which means, when facing trials, we need to just be still and let God take over. I believe that it is during the tough times when we should strive to silence ourselves, sit still, and listen to the “still small voice” of God to help guide us through.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, I must face my trials like God told Israel to do when facing the armies of Egypt. God had hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would pursue the Israelites after letting them go. The Israelites are then trapped between the armies of Egypt and the Red Sea. They are scared and start murmuring.  Moses speaks out to them to not be afraid and stand firm in the Lord because “the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). All they needed to do was to be still.

God can and is willing to fight our battles. All we have to do is be still and wait. I think the problem, at least with me, is that I lack patience, and I want to know how God is going to fix the problem. I must realize that the only way I can have peace in my soul, though, is to put complete trust in God. Job realized that he didn’t have all the answers. He also realized that it is not our job to know all of God’s plans. Our job is to worship Him, to believe in Him, to trust Him, and to let Him work in our lives. 

So, I will strive to face my trials with the strength that can only come from the Lord. I will heed to the words spoken by Moses of being still, and I will let my God fight my battles.