What does being still actually mean is the question I’ve been asking myself recently.
Many of you know that two of my children and I were in a terrible car accident two weeks ago tomorrow. As a result, so much of my life and work have come to a screeching halt. I’ve written a lot this year on Being Still, because God keeps working on my heart about this topic. What do you do when your life is turned upside down? Does being still mean I’m going to quit and throw in the towel? I want to share some things God has shared with me lately about what being still actually means practically.
Psalm 27:14 says,
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
A few definitions of “wait” from my Bible dictionary are- to wait on or for, to look for, and patient.
When you go through a hard season, one of the hardest things to do is to sit and be still. It’s actually quite annoying and down right frustrating. When going through a trial, many of you know there are different emotions you face, and sometimes all in a same day.
The Thursday evening after the accident, fear set in with the magnitude of someone being killed at the hands of a drunk driver. Knowing that could have been my children, was unsettling. My children were frightened knowing that this man was on the loose. After not being able to sleep that night, the next day my fear turned into an overwhelming sense of thankfulness that we were all alive. The days following, after the shock wore off, we were dealing with the pain, concussions, and 2nd-3rd degree burns.
That Monday, after realizing the extent of everything, I knew my life would not be normal for a while and I was frustrated. I remember being in the laundry room praying, when the Holy Spirit brought a song to my mind. I began singing, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Oh my soul, worship His holy name. Sing like never before, oh my soul. I’ll worship Your holy name.” This song is inspired by one of my daddy’s favorite Bible verses that I love so much too.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;“
PSALM 103:1-4
Going back to the original question… Be Still. What does that actually mean?
Does that mean God was asking me to quit all the things He had put in my heart? Does being still mean we are supposed to sit on the couch and wait for God to write something on our ceilings? I think being still has a lot to do with rest, but more of a spirit that’s at rest.
Why does God ask women specifically to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit?
Because He knows that we are more given to stress, worry, anxiety, and overwhelm. A quiet spirit isn’t talking about the volume of your voice; it’s referring to being unruffled by the day to day aggravations.
A woman with a meek and quiet spirit is not a woman who has her head buried in the sand, but she is a woman with a trust in the God Who holds tomorrow.
Jackie Marie Carr
How do I know that waiting on the Lord, or being still is not simply referring to a cease of motion? Go back to the first verse I shared. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage…”
Courage- to seize, be strong, strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify, obstinate, be constant, encourage, prevail, be recovered, mend, withstand.
I love that God is not giving us a contradictory thought, however my God is the God of perfect balance. He says, “Be patient and wait on me, but be courageous in the process.”
When we are faithful to do the things that we can do, and stop worrying about the things we cannot control, God will strengthen our hearts.
Jackie Marie Carr
God wants to perfect our work, and give us a resolve that is unshakeable.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58)
I do not know the calling God has placed on your life. But I do know that God always wants our hearts. He desires for us to be completely surrendered to His perfect will.
Have there been times that I have wanted to quit?
Oh, yes. A few years ago I was at that place. To be honest, I told my husband that I did not think I could go on with what God had asked. I begged the Lord to send us to the mission field or somewhere far away.
But you know, my mom counseled me that time would heal. Time does heal. Although, God sent some very sweet people that we were supposed to minister to that actually God used to ministered to us.
Let me remind you that God is always working. Romans 8:28 never gets old to me, and I’m so thankful for God’s promises.
It’s so important to remember how short life is and what truly matters.
For this reason, I designed and created the new “Make Heaven Crowded” Bronze Beaded Hoop Earrings. You can check them out here.
So, Be Still. What does that actually mean? Be patient and wait on the Lord, but be courageous in the process.
O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:23-24
Guest blog post written by Jackie Marie Carr
Make sure to check out Jackie’s shop here!
We think you will like more posts like this one. Read Dealing with Hurt.
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