Be Still: Learning to Let God Be God

We must admit it — being still is not our strong suit. We live in a world where hustle is practically a virtue. We check our phones before getting out of bed, multitask through lunch, and feel guilty for resting. Stillness? It almost feels… unproductive.

But Psalm 46:10 gently interrupts our chaos with a divine whisper: “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s God’s way of saying, “You can stop trying to control everything now. I’ve got this.”?”

Imagine this: you’re lying in bed at night, the lights are off, but your brain is doing cartwheels — replaying that awkward conversation, worrying about bills, planning tomorrow’s to-do list. You tell yourself, “Just relax,” but your mind doesn’t listen.

We’ve all been there. Sometimes our thoughts make more noise than the world around us. That’s when this verse becomes our anchor. It reminds us that peace doesn’t come from fixing everything — it comes from trusting that God already knows how to handle it.

This verse isn’t just about physical stillness — it’s about spiritual surrender. “Be still” doesn’t mean do nothing forever; it means stop striving. It’s the invitation to pause the frantic effort to control outcomes and remember who’s actually in charge: God.

To “know that I am God” is to rest in His sovereignty. It’s not resignation; it’s reassurance. You’re not giving up — you’re giving in to His care, His plan, His timing.

Here’s how you can bring the peace of Psalm 46:10 into your everyday chaos:

• Create a stillness moment daily. Even five quiet minutes can recalibrate your heart. Turn off notifications, close your eyes, and breathe deeply while repeating the verse.
• Replace worry with worship. When your mind spirals, whisper praise instead of panic. Shift your focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver.
• Journal your thoughts to release them. Writing them down is a way of telling your heart, “I don’t need to hold this — God will.”
• Take “holy pauses.” Before reacting in stress or frustration, stop and remind yourself: “Be still. God is here.”

The next time your heart starts racing with worry, take a deep breath and remember: God is still God, even when you’re not in control.

You don’t need to have the answers, fix every problem, or rush ahead. Just be still — and let Him do what only He can do. Because when you rest in His presence, you’ll discover that peace isn’t the absence of chaos — it’s the awareness that God is in the midst of it.

Actor Denzel Washington has often spoken openly about his faith and his practice of pausing before acting — both on-screen and in life. He once shared that each morning he sits quietly to pray, meditate, and thank God before checking his phone or starting his day.

He said, “Put God first in everything you do… I read the Bible daily and stay still before Him.” That posture of calm trust has guided him through decades of pressure, fame, and expectations.

Denzel’s example shows that stillness isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. It’s choosing peace over panic, and trust over control.

• When do I find it hardest to “be still,” and what usually triggers my need to control things?
• How can I make time for stillness in my daily routine, even if it’s just for a few minutes?
• What situations in my life right now need more trust and less worry?
• How have I experienced God’s peace when I finally stopped striving and let go?