How To Be Still & Know God – Foundations

Keith KettenringChristian Living, The Uncommon Journey

Do you want to know God better this year? Then, be still. Be quiet. Discover who God is as you hush your rampant thoughts and anxieties in order to calm your heart. This is not an easy task. Yet, it is in the stillness of your heart and body that you experience the reality of who God is.

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When I ruptured my achilles tendon over 20 years ago, I was forced to slow down, let go of  many expectations, and focus on God in ways I had never experienced before. I could no longer do what I had easily done before. I had to rest and be still from the anxious way I had been living. I had to learn to relate to God on different terms. My journey had taken a change in course that caught me by surprise but was all good.

Experiencing God in Stillness

The Israelites were in trouble. Behind them, in hot pursuit, was the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh himself. In front of them was the Red Sea. They were trapped. Instinctively fearful, they began to cry out in complaint to God and Moses. “You have brought us here to die.” Moses replied, “Don’t fear. Stand firm, see the salvation of the Lord…The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent.” Be silent? Yes, be silent. Experience who God is – your salvation – as you stand in silent stillness.

The Choirmaster of the Psalms reminds you and me (Ps. 46) that:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling…

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter…The LORD of hosts is with us…

Be still, and know that I am God…

In the middle of trouble, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and conflict, be still and experience who God is and what He can do.

Jesus, God in the flesh, invites you to come to Himself to find rest as the burdens and demands grow great. “Take My yoke upon you” – enter into the quiet relationship of stillness I have with the Father and Spirit. “Learn from me” – rest, stillness, and quiet only come as you learn humility and meekness from Me.

Stillness is the opposite of:

  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Restlessness
  • Worry
  • Mistrust
  • Fretfulness

Solution

Are you experiencing these realities as you enter this new year? There is a solution.

Stillness and quietness are found in an experiential relationship with the Triune God.

Quoting verses only takes you so far. Just engaging in physical techniques to calm yourself is not a long-term solution. Learning to quiet your mind and heart and discovering the Trinity there in the stillness is the way out of your fears and anxieties.

There will be more “how to” in the next UnCommon Journey post.

Are you tired of living in anxiety, fear, restlessness, and mistrust? Are you willing to join the journey to stillness and discover God there? Share your thoughts below. 

Dr. K