Just Be Still

In a noisy world, silence and stillness have become a long-lost form of communication. Because it is a way to communicate, isn’t it? 

Sometimes not saying the reactive words you want is exactly the type of communication that’s needed, but this is so difficult in times lacking peace.

When studying a verse, I love to view many translations of it. For Exodus 14:14, the second part of this verse in the NIV translation says, “and you have only to be still.” While the ESV translation says, “and you have only to be silent.” And the AMP translation says, “while you (only need to) keep silent and remain calm.” God’s directive is clear here, so why is this so tough?

Just yesterday, the day I was studying this verse, my husband told me about an incident at work where he heard a colleague was speaking lies about him. Now, his instinct was to call this person directly (he’s better with this kind of confrontation than me!) and set them straight.

But ...

But he used the Holy Spirit’s gift of self-control and remained silent. He remained still. He didn’t contact this associate. He knew the truth and knew God would do His work in this situation.

And guess what? By the end of the day, this lie had reached a different and more important person who squashed this lie and righted it with the truth on my husband’s behalf. My husband didn’t even have to do a thing!

Now, we know all resolutions do not come this quickly, but there are times when, through prayer and with patience and self-control (given to us by the Holy Spirit), we need to sit back and let God fix it. Because He always is. He’s working out the resolutions, the healing, the truth made known, the new season for you…

Questions for Reflection:

1. Is there something you’ve been desperately wanting to speak up or fight back about, and now see that God may want you to be still and silent instead?

2. Is there an example where you’ve been silent or still and God showed off His power in the situation without you having to do a thing?