School is in full swing for some of us, and so is the chaos!

Our schedules are jam-packed with chauffeuring our little blessings to all their after-school activities, and somehow, in the middle of it all, we still need to figure out when to feed them.

Some of us are trying to balance homeschooling with all the other demands of life. We’re teaching, cooking, cleaning, working, managing schedules, and trying to keep our sanity—all while wondering if everyone will actually make it through the day.

For others, we are trying to figure out what this new season of life looks like. Maybe our youngest just moved off to college, and we’re trying to navigate what this new relationship looks like. We’re trying to balance how often we call and text so we don’t seem like helicopter moms, while still making sure our child is thriving—and, you know, alive!

Then there are those of us who are navigating babysitting grandchildren while also having one last child at home and preparing them to leave the nest.

Or maybe the house is empty, and we’re trying to figure out what to do with all this extra time.

Whatever season of life you find yourself in, it can be easy to get caught up in the busyness and forget this important command from Scripture:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
—Psalm 46:10

Notice that it says be still.

The Hebrew word translated as “still” in Psalm 46:10 is raphah (raw-faw), and it means to let go or to cease striving. That adds another beautiful layer to what it means to be still.

We need to stop trying to do everything on our own.

God invites us to surrender our struggles to Him. He is in control, and we need to rest in that truth. When we truly believe that God is in control, it becomes easier to trust Him with whatever we are facing—even when we don’t understand what He is doing.

We must remember that none of this is outside God’s control.

Whatever we are dealing with, God is with us. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing catches Him off guard. And when we surrender our circumstances to Him, He can use even the things Satan intends for harm for His glory.

Francesca Battistelli has a song called “Defender,” and I love its message. It reminds me of the truth that God is already making a way for us before we even realize we need help. His way is better than our way. He knows what we need before we even know to ask.

We simply need to do our best to trust Him, praise Him, and remember that God is in control.

Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

When nothing makes sense and everything seems to be falling apart, we can still trust God.

He is in control.

If we take the time to look back over our lives, we can see His faithfulness. He has proven Himself over and over again. He has carried us through things we weren’t sure we would survive. He has made a way when we couldn’t see one.

Those who know me know that these verses have been my life verse for quite some time. So much of my life has not made sense, but God has been faithful through every season. And I know He is faithful in your life as well.

So, as the chaos ensues, be intentional about spending time with God. Of course, spend time in His Word. Pray. Worship. But also be intentional about simply being still with Him.

Sometimes we need to stop doing and simply sit in His presence.

Put down the phone. Step away from the never-ending to-do list. Take a deep breath. Quiet your heart. Give Him the things you’ve been carrying and remind yourself that you were never meant to carry them alone.

I love taking time to sit alone on my deck or patio with God in the quiet. I try to arrange this at least once a week. I honestly can’t say it always happens, but when it does, I am filled with God’s peace. Where do you feel His peace the most? If you have to plan it out, then schedule it. You may need to get creative or ask someone to watch your kids for 30 minutes a week so you have this time. Try to prioritize it. You will not regret this time with the Lord.

Your sanity will also thank you.

When everything around you feels out of control, remember that God is still in control.

I can’t promise you will never experience anxiety or that life will suddenly become easy. But I can tell you that there is peace to be found when we stop striving, surrender our circumstances to God, and choose to trust Him.

Take a Moment to Reflect

What can you change this week so you can intentionally plan time to be still with God?

How could making time to be still benefit you in this season of life?

And if you are already prioritizing time to be still, what does that look like in your daily life? Share to encourage others.

In the middle of the chaos, stop striving. Be still. Trust God. He is in control.