Be Still

Life certainly presents us with trials and tribulations, yet I often think we give the devil too much credit for the chaos around us. Sometimes, he anticipates our challenges based on what we say and do. Unlike God, who is omniscient and aware of all things, the devil's knowledge is limited. Everything he learns about us comes from our own words and actions. You reveal your fears in casual conversations. Your struggles become apparent in how you handle difficult relationships. Your lack of control is evident in the things you say during phone calls with friends. The worries that plague you are exposed through your online searches following a diagnosis. Each time you pace the floors contemplating your circumstances, you divulge what weighs heavily on your heart and mind. Perhaps this is why the Bible advises us in Psalm 46:10 to "Be still." It’s a reminder to cultivate mindfulness and guard what we share, thus gaining strength against the chaos.

In moments of silence, the devil is unable to decipher the unspoken thoughts within us. When we find calmness, he loses his ability to manipulate our feelings. Embracing stillness and quietness empowers us greatly. However, when we allow worry to creep in, pace anxiously, or display visible signs of fear, we reveal the very fragility of our faith. It's in these moments that he targets our vulnerabilities, tugging at the threads of our doubts. 

A compelling example of this is Peter. In the courtyard, when he stood between an angry mob and Jesus, fear overwhelmed him, leading to his denial of both his Father and his friend, as documented in Matthew 26. However, if we look closely at Peter's experiences, we see a recurring pattern of fear. For instance, Peter felt fear during the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:1-11, when he walked on water in Matthew 14:30, and even during the Transfiguration in Matthew 17:6. In each of these moments, Jesus responded with reassurance: "Don't be afraid," and "Why do you doubt?" The reason Satan sought to sift Peter like wheat in Luke 22 was not only because of Peter’s essential role in establishing the church. It also stemmed from the areas of his life where he had yet to fully trust Jesus, often influenced by his surroundings. Surrounded by the angry crowd, battling the waves in his boat, or facing fierce winds—these situations highlighted his struggle. Yet, through it all, the power of God remained steadfast. By the end of Peter's story, we witness his remarkable boldness and bravery, culminating in his crucifixion for standing firm in his faith. However, his journey to such courage began with a palpable fear that ultimately needed to be overcome so the enemy could no longer use it against him.

Some challenges we face come from external opposition, yet often, we unwittingly provide the enemy with our own floor plans. If you're feeling worried, stressed, or scared today, I encourage you to BE STILL. Recognize that He is God and in control. Despite how you may feel internally, remember that the devil can only interpret your actions and words—he cannot manipulate your silence or disturb your stillness.

There are times when we need to relinquish our worries to God, take a deep breath, and let Him fight on our behalf. We often struggle with this because we are instinctively driven to fight for ourselves, to defend, explain, and control. While our intentions are good, in doing so at times, we may inadvertently provide the enemy with more ammunition than we realize, as well as exhausting ourselves. When we continuously seek control, the enemy capitalizes on this, leading us into situation after situation where we feel powerless. God allows this, not out of cruelty, but for our own spiritual growth. He knows that once we learn to surrender control to Him, the enemy's influence diminishes significantly. At that point, Satan can no longer find a weak point to exploit, leaving him powerless against those held together by the hand of God.

Those grounded in divine strength possess more authority than we often recognize pr capitalize on, and it's time we use it. Notice how in Ephesians 6, we are instructed to wear the armor of God—not to fight, but to stand firm. Standing requires us to be still, trusting that God is actively fighting for us. He is our protector and our helper. We are called to fight on occasion, but only when He directs us to, and rest assured, if He calls you to battle with Him, the victory is already assured; we simply need to claim it.

Sincerely Selena