Be Still by Mayada Naami
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalms 46:10, NIV).
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It hangs on my kitchen wall as a reminder every morning to surrender control and to trust in God. Ten years ago, after my second divorce, I was homeless, jobless, and broken in spirit. I had spent the better part of my life trying to be the perfect daughter, the perfect wife, and the perfect mom. I felt like a hamster in a cage spinning on a wheel and never getting to where I wanted to go. How many of you have felt that way? Like no matter what you did, you couldn’t get ahead? Well. It wasn’t until I was at my lowest, in the middle of the storm, that I began to surrender control of my life and letting Jesus take the wheel. It wasn’t a decision I made; I was just so exhausted that I didn’t have the energy to “do” anything anymore.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39, NIV).
This is the moment that Jesus quieted the storm that was inside of me. He spoke to me when I finally was quiet and still. It’s amazing how we can hear Him speak to us when we are not so busy trying to figure it out on our own. The Bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding because we cannot see into the future. Depending on Him completely requires a faith that surpasses all understanding. This was very difficult for me because I was a perfectionist. I now realize that nothing or no one is perfect—only Jesus. I am so thankful that I have surrendered control of my life to Him. I have found peace in an ever changing world, and comfort during every storm!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34, NIV)