Christian Faith Love Finding moments of actual stillness can feel nearly impossible in our fast-paced, constantly connected world.
Yet learning to be still before God is a transformative practice that can deepen our spiritual lives and reshape our relationship with the Lord.
This article explores practical ways to cultivate sacred stillness, overcome common challenges, and experience the profound benefits of this spiritual discipline.
Understanding Sacred Stillness
Being still before God means intentionally setting aside time to quiet our external and internal noise so we can tune into God’s presence.
This practice is rooted in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This verse reveals a profound connection between stillness and truly knowing God.
When we cease our constant doing and thinking, we create space to simply be with God and allow His reality to permeate our awareness.
Sacred stillness takes many forms. It might involve sitting in silence for a set period each day, practicing contemplative prayer, or engaging in meditative Scripture reading.
The key is approaching these practices as invitations to encounter the living God as opposed to items to check off a spiritual to-do list.
Overcoming Restlessness
One of the biggest hurdles in cultivating stillness is our restlessness. Our minds are accustomed to constant stimulation and activity.
When we try to be still, we often find ourselves physically and mentally fidgeting.
Thoughts race, to-do lists pop up, and we may feel an overwhelming urge to check our phones or do something “productive.”
Overcoming this restlessness takes time and practice. It’s helpful to remember that the goal isn’t to achieve a perfect mental blankness but to gently redirect our attention to God’s presence whenever we notice our minds wandering.
With consistent practice, this redirection becomes easier and more natural.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Stillness
1. Create a Sacred Space
Choose a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be easily disturbed. This could be a corner of your bedroom, a favorite chair, or even a spot in nature.
A designated space can signal to your mind and body that it’s time to enter stillness.
2. Set a Time
Start with 5-10 minutes and gradually increase as you become more comfortable with the practice. Consistency is more important than duration, especially when you’re beginning.
Try to practice at the same time each day to establish a routine.
3. Prepare Your Body
Sit comfortably with your back straight. This posture helps you stay alert while also being relaxed. Take a few deep breaths to help your body settle.
Pay attention to the sensation of your breath moving in and out, allowing it to anchor you in the present moment.
4. Center Your Mind
Choose a sacred word or short phrase to return to when your mind wanders gently. This could be something like “Jesus,” “peace,” or “Be still.” The word itself isn’t as important as its ability to help you refocus on God’s presence.
5. Open Your Heart
Consciously release your agenda, worries, and wants to God. You might imagine yourself opening your hands as a symbol of surrender.
Letting go allows God to work in ways you might not expect.
6. Be Present
Simply rest in God’s presence. When thoughts come (and they will), gently thank them and return to your sacred word or the awareness of God’s presence.
7. Close with Gratitude
When your time is up, take a moment to thank God for this time of connection. Even if you felt distracted or didn’t experience anything profound, expressing gratitude helps cultivate a positive association with the practice.
Navigating Common Pitfalls
Expectation of Immediate Results
One of the most common pitfalls in practicing stillness is expecting immediate results or dramatic experiences.
We may sit down expecting to hear God’s audible voice or experience some profound encounter. While these things can happen, the fruits of stillness accumulate more often over time.
The changes may initially be subtle – a growing sense of peace, increased patience, or a deeper awareness of God’s presence throughout your day.
Dealing with Difficult Emotions
Another challenge is dealing with difficult emotions or memories that may surface when we quiet ourselves. Remembering this is a normal part of the process is essential.
These surfacing thoughts and feelings are often invitations to more profound healing and growth.
When they arise, thank them without judgment, offer them to God, and gently return to your focus.
Overcoming Guilt
Guilt can be a significant stumbling block. We may feel like we’re “wasting time” by sitting in silence or that we should be doing something more productive.
Remember that being still before God is a form of worship and vital to spiritual growth. It’s not unproductive – it’s foundational to a healthy spiritual life.
Adapting Stillness to Different Scenarios
While having a regular, dedicated time for stillness is ideal, we can also practice moments of silence throughout our day.
Try taking a few deep breaths and centering on God’s presence while waiting in line, during your commute (if you’re not driving), or even in a stressful situation.
These micro-moments of stillness can help anchor us in God’s presence throughout the day.
For those with busy households, early morning or late evening might be the best times for stillness. If you have young children, you might practice stillness during their nap or even invite them to join you for a short, age-appropriate quiet time.
Teaching children the value of stillness from a young age can be a wonderful gift.
Building on the Basics
As you grow more comfortable with basic stillness practices, you might explore more advanced contemplative practices. Here are a few to consider:
Centering Prayer
Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
The Jesus Prayer
This ancient Christian prayer simply repeats the phrase, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It’s often synchronized with the breath and can be practiced for extended periods, helping to center the mind and heart on Christ.
Silent Retreats
Attending a silent retreat can be a profound way to deepen your practice of stillness. These retreats often last several days and provide an immersive experience of silence and contemplation guided by experienced spiritual leaders.
As you practice being still before God regularly, you’ll likely find that this awareness permeates other areas of your life, leading to a more profound sense of peace, purpose, and connection with God.
Exercises to Deepen Your Practice
Breath Prayer
Choose a short prayer (like “Lord, have mercy” or “Jesus, I trust in you”) and synchronize it with your breathing. Inhale on the first part, exhale on the second.
Practice this for 5-10 minutes.
This simple exercise can help calm your mind and body while keeping your focus on God.
Nature Contemplation
Spend time in nature, focusing on a single object (like a leaf or a flower). Observe it closely, noticing its details, and allow it to draw you into wonder at God’s creation.
This practice can help cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude, reminding us of God’s intricate care for all creation.
Lectio Divina
Choose a short Scripture passage. Read it slowly several times, allowing a word or phrase to stand out.
Reflect on this word, pray about it, and then rest in God’s presence.
This ancient practice helps us engage with Scripture intellectually and with our whole being.
Body Scan
Starting from your toes and moving up to your head, slowly focus on each body part. As you do, release tension and imagine God’s peace filling that area.
This exercise can help you become more aware of the connection between your physical body and spiritual life.
Journaling
After your stillness, spend a few minutes writing about your experience. Note any insights, emotions, or challenges that arose.
Over time, this journal can become a valuable record of your spiritual journey and growth.
The Fruits of Stillness
Regular practice of stillness before God can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation. Here are some of the fruits you might experience:
Increased Awareness of God’s Presence
As you consistently create space to be with God, you may find yourself more attuned to His presence throughout your day.
Small moments – a beautiful sunset, a kind word from a friend, a moment of unexpected peace – become reminders of God’s constant presence.
Greater Inner Peace
The practice of stillness can help calm our often turbulent inner world. As we learn to let go of our constant striving and simply be in God’s presence, we may find a more bottomless well of peace to draw from, even in challenging circumstances.
Improved Emotional Regulation
Regular stillness practices help us become more aware of our emotions and better respond to them healthily.
Instead of being swept away by every feeling, we can observe our emotions with some distance, bringing them to God for healing and guidance.
Enhanced Clarity and Discernment
We often gain new perspectives on our lives and challenges in the quiet. As we step back from the noise and busyness, we may find clarity about decisions we must make or insights into situations we face.
Deeper Intimacy with God
Perhaps the most significant fruit of stillness is a deepened relationship with God. As we consistently show up and make ourselves available to Him, we open ourselves to experiencing His love and presence in new and profound ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biblical basis for being still before God?
The practice of being still before God is rooted in several biblical passages. The most well-known is Psalm 46:10, which says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This verse invites us to cease striving and rest in knowing who God is.
Other relevant passages include Exodus 14:14, which speaks of God fighting for us. At the same time, we stay silent, and 1 Kings 19:11-13, where Elijah encounters God not in dramatic displays of power but in a “still small voice” or “gentle whisper.”
How long should I practice stillness each day?
Your time in stillness can vary depending on your schedule and experience level. Starting with just 5-10 minutes a day can be helpful for beginners.
As you grow more comfortable with the practice, you might extend this time to 20-30 minutes or even longer.
The key is consistency instead of duration, especially when starting.
What if I can’t stop my thoughts during stillness practice?
It’s normal and expected to have thoughts during stillness practice. The goal isn’t to empty your mind but to gently redirect your attention to God’s presence when you notice your mind wandering.
Over time, you may find that your thoughts become less intrusive, but they will never cease entirely.
The practice is in the returning, not achieving a perfectly still mind.
Can I practice stillness if I’m not in a quiet environment?
While a quiet environment can be helpful, it’s not necessary for practicing stillness. You can adapt your practice to your circumstances.
In a noisy environment, focus on a sacred word or phrase to help center your attention.
Some people even find that practicing amid noise helps them develop a more profound ability to stay centered in God’s presence regardless of external circumstances.
How is being still before God different from meditation?
While there are similarities between Christian stillness practices and other forms of meditation, the key difference comes from the focus and intent. Being still before God is about opening ourselves to God’s presence and allowing Him to work in us.
It’s relational as opposed to merely technique-focused. The goal isn’t just relaxation or mindfulness (though these may be side benefits), but deepening our relationship with God.
Can children practice being still before God?
Yes, children can practice stillness, though their approach may differ from adult practices. For young children, stillness might involve lying quietly and listening to calming music or a short guided meditation.
Older children might use simplified versions of adult practices, like focusing on a short prayer or Scripture verse.
Teaching children to be still can help them develop a lifelong ability to connect with God.
What if I fall asleep during my stillness practice?
Falling asleep during stillness practice is common, especially when you’re first starting or practicing at the end of a long day. If this happens occasionally, don’t worry; your body may need the rest.
However, if it’s a persistent issue, try practicing at a different time of day when you’re more alert or a more active form of stillness practice, like walking meditation.
How can I tell if I’m making progress in my stillness practice?
Progress in stillness practice isn’t always evident or linear. Some signs of growth might include finding it easier to return to your focus when distracted, experiencing a greater sense of peace or God’s presence throughout your day, or noticing positive changes in your reactions to stress or challenges.
Remember that the goal isn’t to achieve some perfect state but to show up and make yourself available to God consistently.
Can being still before God help with anxiety or depression?
While stillness practices are not a substitute for professional mental health care, many people find that regular stillness practice can be a helpful complement to other treatments for anxiety and depression. The practice of stillness can help calm racing thoughts, promote relaxation, and foster a sense of connection with God.
However, if you’re struggling with severe anxiety or depression, it’s essential to work with a mental health professional to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
How does being still before God relate to other spiritual disciplines?
Being still before God complements and enhances other spiritual disciplines. It can deepen your prayer life by helping you listen as well as speak to God.
It can enrich your Scripture reading by creating deeper reflection and application space.
It can fuel your worship by cultivating a greater awareness of God’s presence and attributes. In many ways, stillness is a foundational practice that supports and enriches all other aspects of spiritual life.
Key Takeaways
- Being still before God creates space for divine encounters and deepens our spiritual lives.
- Regular practice of stillness leads to increased awareness of God’s presence in all areas of life.
- Challenges like restlessness and wandering thoughts are daily – gently returning focus to God is part of the practice.
- Stillness can be adapted to various life circumstances and practiced briefly throughout the day.
- The fruits of stillness often accumulate slowly over time, leading to more profound peace, clarity, and spiritual growth.
