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“Cease striving and know that I am God … .”
Psalm 46:10 (NASB1995)

You might be more familiar with Psalm 46:10 (NIV) in another version:

“Be still and know that I am God …”

I rather like the cease striving language because it indicates that a person is doing something other than what God intended. To be obedient, a person must first stop doing “her own thing”—that is, she must cease striving—before she can obey the Lord’s commandments. In this story, that person is me. During a time of family turmoil, I tried to repair problems and produce solutions in my own strength. As God asked me questions that redirected my focus to Him, He directed me to cease striving and to know that He is God. (See the previous AWM post, “A God of Questions and Answers,” February 19, 2026)

Years later, I realized that the lessons God taught me during this difficult family struggle were remarkably applicable to my grief journey following my husband’s death.

I’m being still … now what?

Following God’s first few lessons, which related to being still, waiting on Him, and abiding in Him, I thought I was doing a pretty good job. I asked, “Okay, God, I’m being still … now what?” He countered my question: “What will you do in the stillness?” I answered, “I’m not sure, Lord. It’s hard enough just to be still.”

So I looked up Bible verses on stillness and studied them.

The Bible’s Instructions

During this brief study on stillness, I gained several valuable insights.

1. Truth about God and who He is:

• He is our help, our shield, the Maker of heaven and earth, and our portion.
• His character is holy, good, and faithful.
• He offers lovingkindness unceasingly and loves unfailingly.
• He turns to us, hears our cry, helps us, and offers compassion without fail.

2. Things to do in stillness:

• We are to wait, watch, be strong, take courage, rejoice, and trust.
• We are to hope in God and in His Word.
• We are to lift our eyes up to Him, recall His goodness, seek Him, and have faith that He hears us.

3. Specific ways to wait and be still:

• We are to wait patiently, silently, diligently, and expectantly.
• We are to be in His Word during stillness.
• We are to wait and be still with faith and in hope.

If you would like to read these specific truths about stillness in God’s Word, you can find them in Psalm 27:14, 33:20-22, 40:1, 46:10, 121:1-2, 130:5-6; Lamentations 3:21-26; and Micah 7:7. Many other passages address stillness as well.

These truths about God were just as valid and applicable in my family situation as they were in walking through Kevin’s illness and death. God is always sovereign and worthy of trust.

Stillness is Quite Active

I found that stillness is actually quite active. To be at peace during stillness, it is necessary to seek to understand God’s character, accomplish appointed actions, and practice the right attitude toward God.

These truths were profoundly applicable as I walked through Kevin’s illness and death. Many days were spent quietly in hospital rooms, reading God’s Word and journaling. How I treasure those journals and that quiet time with God. These times of active stillness were building in me a deeper trust in and love for God, and I am truly grateful for the profound presence of God I encountered.

Though we have all learned, and will continue to learn, many more things on our grief journeys, a few of those lessons might be summarized in the following ways:

1. God always has a purpose behind every circumstance (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Trust in Him, for He is worthy of trust (Proverbs 3:5-6).
2. Abide in Him, for in His presence we find true and lasting peace (John 15:4-5; Isaiah 26:3). His peace surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
3. When God tells us something, we should obey. Obedience opens the door for Him to do extraordinary work in our lives (John 14:21).
4. Take nothing for granted. We are not promised tomorrow (James 4:13-15). Love others as if today is the last time we will see them.
5. It is not necessary, nor possible, to know everything God is doing. God is always at work in our lives (Philippians 1:6), and again, He is worthy of trust.

Has God ever called you to a season of stillness? What truths has God taught you on your grief journey that you could add to the list?

Rest in Him, dear Sisters, for He is the God of peace, and He loves us more than we can imagine.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to rest in You in our stillness and to find peace, joy, and hope in You and in Your Word. Help us to know the great love You have for us. In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior we pray, Amen.