“Be Still and Know That I am God” Ps 46:10

Reflection by Dr. Adriane Gullotta-Gsell Ph.D.

Life always holds demands, responsibilities, and distractions that lure us from spending time alone with God and from …just being STILL before him. Even when we are before him in prayer, it’s often difficult to keep the flooding of other thoughts from swarming into our minds. Our patient and understanding Lord gives us the comforting words to, “Be Still and Know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10) It doesn’t get better than that! Our God is always the perfect, all-knowing parent, who wants to lull and comfort us into resting in the arms of HIS loving presence and peace.

When we thoroughly read and meditate on Psalm 46, we see the Lord showing us HIS power and might in all creation. Throughout the entire psalm, God mercifully describes how HE’S got things under control. We don’t have to worry about anything because the Lord “is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (v.1) We are to do our part in our partnership with the Lord in leading productive lives and dealing with the ups and downs on the journey. When things seem impossible, God’s words in Psalm 46 need to remain deep in our minds and hearts. 

I genuinely am comforted to know that we are called to let go and let the Lord have his way in our lives. However, what comes immediately to mind are the crosses that God allows us to experience, like difficult medical, emotional, or life issues people have along the way. We might have been sick, needed surgery, suffered trauma or injury, or have lost a loved one. Many of us also have become quite burdened with chronic financial problems. When we hurt so deeply, it’s almost automatic not to move the part of ourselves that has been affected, even when movement may be an essential part of the recovery process. Our stillness is our attempt to regroup and establish a new balance as we try to stand up and cope with the pain. 

When people find themselves frozen because of illness, trauma, pain, or crisis, it’s good to remember that the Lord calls us into HIS stillness with the knowledge that HIS power and perfect will are in control. We need only lock our gaze into his gaze and NOT MOVE, knowing that HE has the last word in either helping us cope with the problem or alleviating it entirely.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for being our ever-present, all-powerful, faithful, and loving FATHER GOD! Thank you for being our refuge, strength, and help in times of trouble! “Jesus, we trust in you!”

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