If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! We are in the midst of a Bible study, but I want you to simply join us. You are so welcome here!
Sometimes I struggle to sleep.
My brain goes into overdrive. I’m truly tired, but my brain whirls away. Sometimes, after a couple of hours of just laying there, I’ll climb out of bed and go into another room to read. Sometimes I play spades on my phone or check Facebook.
The problem with getting up or flashing the blue light of a phone in my face, is that now I’m even more awake. My thoughts move to the to-do list for the next day, or other things that are pressing.
And I’m EXHAUSTED the next day.
Several months ago I put a new strategy into motion. Rather than get up, I remained still.
I was listening to the radio and someone instructed those struggling with sleep to remain in bed and take deep breaths, lying as still as possible, as you count backwards from 100 to 1.
I tried it night one.
Nothing.
Night two. Night three. Night four. Night five.
Each night I remained still, breathing deeply, counting backwards slowly from 100 to 1, and before long something was happening in this sleep-deprived girl.
Staying in bed when I was restless felt foreign at first. All my former go-to’s pulled at me. Yet over time I started to embrace the stillness. Counting slowly, breathing deeply, calmed my whirling thoughts.
I didn’t fall asleep right away, but I did fall asleep peacefully.
Sleep started to come much sooner. I didn’t have to do the exercises every night anymore. Eventually I started to sleep almost every night.
It’s been a beautiful thing!
What in the world does this have to do with Chapter #9, Suzie?
Being still in a storm isn’t a natural response.
It’s not our natural response to almost any crisis, whether that’s a string of sleepless nights or when your world turns upside down. We react. It’s what we do. We have to do something, whether that’s worry or make lists or spring into action.
Be still.
Those were Jesus’ words. They were for the disciples, and they are for us.
So, what does that look like in real life?
Remain where you are
This isn’t a physical place, but spiritual.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you (John 15:4).”
Our greatest source of strength will come through His Word, through His presence, through our faith in a God so close that we are literally grafted in to that strength.
Don’t forget to breathe
One of my favorite stories is when Jesus literally leaned over and breathed on the disciples (John 20:21-22). It’s kind of a funky thing to do, if we think of it in the natural, but it was powerful.
Jesus knew these men were going into a new season as he went back to the Father, and they marched into the world as apostles. They would face trials. Battles. Difficult people. Victories and miracles.
They could not do this on their own.
We can breathe in the power of the person of the Holy Spirit. That presence lives inside of us. It might not feel like it, but when we start to breath deeply in our new-found stillness, our whirring thoughts slow down and we realize we aren’t in the storm alone.
Count
Storms are temporary. It’s easy to forget that when the winds are strong and the rain is blinding.
Yet we can count on this. . .
We counter temporary storms with forever truth.
Throughout scripture we find passages where God’s people are in storms. I really love this description found in the Psalms.
Some of you set sail in big ships;
you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
Out at sea you saw God in action,
saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
With a word he called up the wind—
an ocean storm, towering waves!
You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
your hearts were stuck in your throats.
You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
you didn’t know which end was up.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
And you were so glad when the storm died down,
and he led you safely back to harbor.
The Word is our anchor. It holds us close. It reminds us of past storms where God was faithful, despite our circumstances.
If you are in a storm right now, please know this is a safe place for you to say that, “Things are hard right now.” We’ll pray with you and believe big together.
Suzie
- Read Chapter #9
- Listen to today’s video
- Answer the discussion question/starter
- Answer the questions at the end of the chapter
- BONUS: Look up one scripture about God’s faithfulness in a storm. Share it here or write it in your journal.
This devotional is incredibly timely, as I lie awake again at 3:46 a.m. However, rather than counting backwards, I will follow my grandfather’s example: pray. He started with his closest neighbor and widened the circle until (a) he had prayed for each family in the church or (b) he fell back asleep. Most often, it was (b).
In the midst of a seemingly unrelenting storm that may never resolve, I am thankful for the reminder of God’s safe harbor.
I’m very surprised where your invitation to Come With Me has brought me. I’m in a situation I don’t know how to fix. I feel quite sad and wish I could get back to normal. God is telling me not to rush out of uncomfortable feelings but to wait.
All of Psalm 42 is beautiful. The parts jumping out to me are “Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God….so I will pray to You while I am trapped here….By day the Lord decreed His loyal love and by night He gives me a song….why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for His saving intervention.”
I’m not going to rush and fix this situation myself. I’m going to wait for the intervention only God can accomplish.
What a beautiful example of being still, Leslie. No parts of our journey are wasted. He can take every part — the good and hard parts — and use them for His purposes. I hear the faith you are expressing in this and it’s strong and courageous.
I have had sleepless nights for the past months since I lost my job a few months ago. Our house got flooded, too and did not know where to start. Because of God’s grace and compassion, He has been faithful talking to me through the scriptures, reading devotionals like this. When I woke up at about 1:30 am today I tried to recall God’s promises and verses that I know in my mind and say this in my mind all over again until I was able to sleep again like for example, ” I will never leave you nor forsake you, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Wow I needed this.
Thank you
This year has been a difficult one where I feel I do not know how to parent my children in the place they are in right now. I have a lot of anxiety not knowing what each day will bring. It’s so hard to feel so out of control and not knowing how to handle situations. God help me to meet my children where they are and in what they need because you know better what they need than I do. Amen.
Lord, thank you for this mama’s heart. Help her be still. Lead her to resources and friendships that will not only encourage her about what she’s doing right, but strengthen those areas where she desires to grow. We all understand what it’s like to feel inadequate as a mom. We all face those hard places. Today may she reach for you — as she does here, Father — and find you close. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.
I love the be still part of this devotion. In the hustle bustle word of now, it is nice to be still. And it gives us the time to focus on GOD even if that is at 3:30 am. Thank you for this devotion.
I need this today. Thank you!
I needed to hear this! Thank you.
So timely and beautiful. I love how you broke down the steps to being still; how quickly we forget as we stand in the middle of the crashing waves.
I so needed this this morning. I am in a storm currently and the Devil is being strong. I have felt alone, knowing I am not, I was reminded that the teacher is always silent during the test.
Sunday input my foot down and said ” That is enough , the devil is not welcome here, get out now. This house belongs to the Lord and you are not welcome and I will not allow you to be here any long.
It helped me so mickles
Thank you for this today, Suzie! There have been a few storms in my life recently as well, and these words are such a beautiful reminder. Be Still! Yes, it is hard to do, but I know it is what I NEED to do. Thank you!
A very timely reminder of God’s faithfulness and how we need to rest in Him. As women we want to do something and fix it. But often we are called to stand firm and let God work.
Thank you for this devotional. I sometimes find myself awake at night. I try to pray, hoping this will calm my mind. I try to remember Phillipians 4:6-7 during those times of sleeplessness.
Thank you, Suzie, for this! I have had a little trouble sleeping lately and I love to just lie and rest. I may not be getting sleep but my body is getting the rest it needs. Instead of feeling frustrated with niot sleeping or my husband’s snoring I lie there and thank God for the man he has blessed me with.
Right now I feel like I’ve just come through an emotional storm and because of you and my online sisters in Christ I am coming through the other side closer to Jesus and more confident with who I am in Christ. I am not healed physically from my surgery but I am definitely healed spiritually and for me that is more important. Have a blessed day!
Suzie, Today I “tuned in” to my Proverbs 31 devotional, and it was your “What Can I Do to Bring You Joy?” That led me to your blog about not being able to sleep and just being still and breathing deeply. Both of these articles confirmed what God is saying to me today. Thank you, Suzie, for sharing what the Lord has put on your heart. You are a blessing!
Thank you. Picturing myself beside Jesus in the boat when the storm raged. When He spoke, it became still. I thank Jesus He is in control of the storm. The storm goes on for yet a little while. But your words today helped me to know He will speak if I’m still and listen.
Thanks so much for sharing this! When you commented that Jesus ‘breathed’ on His disciples, it brought my mind back to taking care of babies and they’d be wailing and I’d blow in their face; usually, it would settle them down. I’m so thankful for God’s breath, the life it gives, the peace it restores! Would love a copy of the book!
I’m a single mom. I have a special needs son and I just recently lost my job. I am so glad I logged on to Proverbs 31 today and read your devotional and your blog. I really needed to read this today so I thank you for following the Lord’s leading to post this. Sometimes all we have left is to be still and let God be God and let Him take care of us and that is so hard! Thank you so much for the reminder!
Thank you! This post, as well as the one from P31 today, has really blessed me. I am going to forward to a friend that I think will benefit as well. 🙂
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing.
Reading the Proverbs 31 devotional led me to your blog. Both were great teachings for me this morning. I wasn’t aware of your summer Bible Study, but it is never too late to read your book “Come With Me”. Thank you Suzie, you are a godly leader to many!
Speaking truth right to my soul. Thank you for your words, I needed this today…every day.
Thank you!
Thank you. I often have trouble sleeping at night. I believe this will help me.
Thank you. I often have trouble sleeping at night. I believe this will help me.
Thank you for this Biblical truth. I am really struggling and what’s so difficult is that it is in regard to our church. I love the people there, but I really don’t know if it’s the right place to be anymore. We really need wisdom from the Lord as we want to be in the best place for our kids to grow spiritually.. I don’t want to hurt anybody. I feel so alone, but I am thankful that the Lord is with me. I just don’t know what to do.
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Your message is so timely and loving your book!
Sorry, hit return before I was ready. Sorry for the double post……….
I just love you Susan ❤️ You always lift my spirit!! Would love to win your book !!
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
God has been faithful to our family (and myself) however sometimes I need a reminder such as this to remember whose I am not just who I am……….sometimes those two statements get intermingled in my head and I need to remember I cannot deny Jesus who lives inside me! No matter what storm I am going through if I can remember I am a child of the most High God and remain faithful in HIS plans for me; I will not fail!
Love this book!
Thank you. Wonderful message.
I just read your devotion on Proverbs 31 and it inspired me to try something new in the way I pray and relate to God. Thank you!
Beautiful and so timely for me! Thank you Suzie!
I am on a spiritual retreat to get alone with Him due to a storm I have been in and really needed to hear this. I know he has great plans for me as I choose to lay things down and follow Him
“Be still and know” (Psalm46:10) has been my life verse for the past few years! Every time my heart needed a reminder of Gods presence or a reminder that He was in control that verse would appear somehow! I love the words Be Still because to me it just means to stop, take a breath, quiet my soul before God and let Him refresh me!!! Love this message Suzie and this book!! It’s transforming my life and my heart in so many ways!!!
Thank you – would love a copy!
Learning when to ‘WHOA” & when “GO”…stillness…quiet…patience…listening…hearing…following – great JOY results…I’m learning thanks to you & your ministry. 🙏🏼
Thank you for your encouragement today…I needed this. I would love to win a copy of your book.
I am awake during the night.
My storm is alway’s there and may never be resolved.I pray to God and know that in his time he will bring the best out come.
Thank you for sharing. I would love to read your book
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV) This has been burned on my heart. God continues to say to me, “Just Be, Des”. I am so antsy, always needing to do. Thank you for these words of truth, love and encouragement Suzie!
Love your book, your weekly devotions and encouragement. Life tends to tousle us back and forth but I am thankful for the safety-net of God.
beautiful way to approach our God:)
Thank you for your words and advice. The advice of “being still” is so applicable to my life right now as I feel that great changes are coming. I have made “Be still and know that I am God” the background of my computer so that remember to continue to seek Him during the storms.
Things are hard right now!! We moved to Mexico to share God’s love with my husband’s family and the community here.
Being still is hard. I have been doing this to help me get back to sleep for a couple of years. But being still during the day? It is more inertia. I want to follow, not stay stuck!
Thank you for this today.
I love this, Susie, both the post and the video. Storms of lies often bombard my heart and toss me to and fro. I get so weary of it all. I needed this reminder that Jesus is still in the boat, and He will continue to still the storms in my life. Thank you. Your book sounds great. Thank you also for this giveaway. 🙂
God bless
This sounds like a wonderful book! I’m definitely sharing your blog with a friend who is really going through some storms in her life. God bless you!
I loved your devotion today! Thank you for these wise words!
Thanks for the piece in Encouragement for Today., it’s a reminder of my youth relationship with God, before the “responsibilities ” of adulthood got in the way, time to regroup and really focus. Looks like your book might be a good place to start.
Thank you!
I have had many storms throughout my life. God carried me through every one of them. I know He is my Reedemer, my Savior and my friend. He is always there for me.
Being still during a storm is so very hard. Our storms in this season of our lives usually involve our children. Our youngest just moved out so we are new empty nesters, her choices of friends has not been good ones, and I’m not judging the friends, because what she has done has been her decision, yet she doeesn’t see that if she separated herself, the temptations would not be as great (my thought anyway) Be still has been so hard, because we love her and only want the best for her. I pray and surrender, but then I want to fix things..today as I wrote in my journal I asked forgiveness for worry and even doubt, and then I remembered the devotional from today of Jesus Calling..”TRUST ME AND DON’T BE AFRAID….You live in the midst of fierce spiritual battles, and fear is one of satan’s favorite weapon” I then realized that I feared more than doubted… Thank you Suzie for this amazing book, I would love one to give to my daughters. Chapter 9 is awesome, so much to take in on. I love what you wrote on page 158 “When our world collapses beneath us, we are not without strength. We are not swept away, forever lost. We are anchored by our fiath in Him. We are held close in those storms”…… Jesus, I trust you and I always need You in the boat with me, I don’t want to do storms alone.
When they hit I need to “Be still and know You are God”, and that “Your mercies are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness” Amen
Psalm 46:10
Lamintations 3:23
Thanks again Suzie for blessings us all…..
Love your devotions & would really love to win your book, as I can’t afford to purchase it.
thank you, I am going to start praying that way
Suzie, I love what you said about breathing in the presence of the Holy Spirit and how we’re never in the storm alone. Thank you for encouraging my heart to remain in Him.
This post was such a God moment for me today! I’ve been having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep lately. Last night the scripture that says, “Fear not, for I am with you,” kept going through my mind. Since I was a young girl I’ve struggled with night terrors. It was such a sweet moment last night when I could be calm and lie still knowing God wanted me to know, He is with me! I usually pray, but some times my mind wanders and my brain gets going 90 to nothing about NOTHING! Tonight, I’m going to be still and rest in the Lord, knowing He’s awake and will take care of me! Thanks for this post!
I barely sleep so I’m going to try this deep breath and counting backward from 100. We’ll see how I do. I have several friends going through storms and it breaks my heart to see them hurting and knowing I can’t do anything to help them. I can just be there for them and do the best that I can. I have my own storm I’m going through but I hate to see my friends going through them. Thanks for this post today, was very encouraging.
Shannan,
What I use to get to sleep is to count my blessing by going through the alphabet and thinking of one thing that I am grateful for that starts with each letter of the alphabet. It can be people or activities or food or adjectives to describe Jesus, the Father or the Holy Spirit. I am usually asleep before I get through the whole alphabet. It may not seem like being still, but it calms me down, taking me out of my worries and it works for me. Good luck with whatever you try. I am sorry to hear that you and your friends are going through storms. I pray that this stormy season is short but if it’s not that you and they fill find the strength in Jesus that you need to get through the storms.
Shirley, that is a great idea! Thank you for sharing. I also have a hard time sleeping. I have tried the counting backwards from 100 but I am going to try counting my blessings.
I so appreciate your message What Can I do to Bring you Joy Proverbs 31 devotion today 8/22/16.
It opens up a whole new avenue of intimacy with God that I’ve been missing. Friends share back and forth their fears, challenges and joys. But with God I usually give Him my laundry list of concerns and
ask for forgiveness or help. I’m excited to ask God how I can bring Him Joy in my everyday life.
Also, I’m wishing that I bought your new book and signed up for your book study.
I would love to win a copy so that I can see all the encouragement the Holy Spirit gave you to share.
This is so awesome. My mind reels sometimes and being still is hard.
Thank you for your devotional. It is wonderful that I’ve been thinking of my relationship with God lately and knowing I want to be closer to Him. I don’t want a formula, I need God. I need His friendship. I love what you have shared. Thank you, Susie! Blessings on you and your family, incl little Josiah 🙂
Thank you for posting. I can get so overwhelmed with everything in life I need to stop and remember the important things big or small.
Love your devotionals. Don’t forget to breathe. Yes that. Thanks for the reminder.
This is the verse I found about God’s faithfulness in the storm.
Psalm 89:8-9 Lord God All-Powerful, there is no one like you. You are strong, Lord, and always faithful. You rule the stormy sea. You can calm its angry waves.
I loved the devotion today – I was really convicted to have a more mutual relationship with God, and I loved the reminder in this post to Be Still. Thank you!
This devotional whacked me on my head. After all that GOD had done for me why have I never thought what can I do to make him happy, maybe I thought it but I never asked. Thanks for your examples I love them , there so real so raw
Thanks for your simple, yet profound message….”God, What can I do to bring You joy today?”
I love it!
What a wonderful question to ask God each morning! Thank you for this reminder.
I just discovered you via Proverbs 31 Woman devotion. Thank you for your encouraging, grace-filled words. You’ve filled me with much hope and peace this evening.
I’d be thrilled to be entered in for a chance to win a copy of your book. Thanks and many blessings!
Thank you for your encouraging words. Binging joy to God is our hearts desire. Good reminder we will not know if we do not ask.
You have given me some good things to think about. Thank you for the encouragement today.
Thank you I’m going to place this quote on my wall to remind me. “Storms are temporary. It’s easy to forget that when the winds are strong and the rain is blinding.”
I only heard of your book today, it sounds wonderful. I appreciate the opportunity to be entered into the drawing.
I loved your content, I love the Bible and you are a young man