Reflections: When it’s hard to be still

Recently I shared about an episode of slow Wi-Fi at a really inconvenient time, which taught me some important things about patiently waiting while using the time to focus on just being in the presence of Jesus and hearing from the Holy Spirit for guidance. Along with a very helpful devotional reading—the only email that actually opened that morning—I returned, as I often do, to what I’d call my “life verse,” Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God” (NIV). 

That particular day, along with reassurance that even inconveniences can turn into positives, I did actually get some things done. What about those times, though, when things don’t turn out? Does the lesson still hold when I don’t get things done, or when the waiting extends for days, weeks, or months? What about when not only am I waiting, but really bad things are going on in the meantime? 

Thinking about that, I turned to another scripture, Exodus 14:14, which says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (NIV). As Moses led the Israelites toward the Promised Land, there were plenty of challenges, starting when the Egyptian Pharaoh, after the death plague killed every Egyptian firstborn, allowed the Israelites to leave but then promptly changed his mind. Seeing the pursuing army, the panicked Israelites turned on Moses, but fortunately, Moses was still standing on God’s promise. And sure enough, God did the fighting, miraculously parting the Red Sea and destroying the Egyptian army. 

I’ve had a few times when God’s provision was miraculous, like the time I won the grocery store loyalty jackpot and paid off some bills just before our third child was born. Or the time our car died on the way to a kids’ school event—died dead on a busy road, no hint of starting again after numerous attempts—and our daughter said, “Mom, why don’t we pray?” We did, the car started right up, and we made it safely to our event and then to our mechanic for a checkup. 

Other times, situations take longer to resolve. The Israelites experienced numerous miracles, but they also had a few setbacks and some lessons to learn. I’ve had those, too, such as learning not to jump ahead in financial decisions without carefully examining details; going through cancer treatment, which was no fun; and after being declared cancer-free, watching some friends and family succumb to the disease. 

One unforgettable example involves a missionary friend, Stan, who was diagnosed with cancer while serving among nomadic groups and small settlements in a Muslim-majority nation. While many of his friends hoped and prayed for a miracle, thinking what a marvelous witness it would be to his neighbors, God was fighting for him in a different way—by filling him with hope and joy to continue faithfully sharing Christ even as his health deteriorated. 

Amazingly, his confidence spoke volumes to his Muslim neighbors: Rather than wondering if he had “done enough” to deserve a reward, Stan radiated the calm assurance that his cancer experience would usher him into the presence of the Savior for eternity. The book, “Dying Out Loud” recounts the experience, sharing that although the illness was not what they had planned, God was indeed at work; and as a result, many people who might not have otherwise listened to Stan’s message accepted Christ and will join him in heaven. 

Yes, God is fighting for us. We need only to be still and know He is God. He will show up in the details, even when they’re not pleasant. Sometimes things work out quickly and end pleasantly, but when they don’t, God is still God. He is always fighting for us, even when it doesn’t look like it. Jesus fought the worst battle on the Cross, and whatever happens in this earthly sphere, the ultimate battle against sin and death is already won.