Devotional by Gwen Lahrs

Is anyone else feeling at times this overwhelming sense of chaos all around you?   I know I am.   Preparing for the last few months of senior year for my last child,  college commitments for one child, working toward a final chapter in college for another, work commitments, aging parents, family friends that are struggling and then we have world around us … every day brings a new twist and turn with a looming world war and the things that brings along with it … increased pricing on so many things and so many unknowns.

I have been drawn to the book of Psalms lately and especially this verse from Psalm 46.

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

This verse means more than to simply  “relax” or “sit quietly”.    In the biblical context it is a powerful call to Stop striving, stop panicking and recognize God’s authority and control, especially during chaos.

Earlier in Psalm 46 we hear that the world feels unstable:  Nations are in turmoil, kingdoms fall, earth shakes, wars rage – sounds familiar doesn’t it?   Things we are seeing and hearing everyday.   Yet, In the middle of that turmoil God speaks:  “Be still.”   It is like God is saying “Stop trying to control everything.  Stop panicking.  Let go and recognize that I am God.”

Now the second part – “Know that I am God.”    This is about recognition and trust.   To know God means to acknowledge his power and trust his sovereignty.   Remember – He is still in control even when the world isn’t.   God is greater than the chaos around us.

Life often feels like it is rushing past us. Days fill with responsibilities, schedules, worries about the future, and concerns about the conflicts we see in the world. News of wars, division, and uncertainty can make the world feel restless. At the same time, our own lives seem to move faster than we can keep up with.

In moments like these, it can feel difficult to truly enjoy the life God has given us. We may find ourselves constantly thinking about what comes next rather than appreciating what is right in front of us.

Yet Scripture invites us into a different rhythm: “Be still, and know that I am God.” God calls us to pause. Not because the world suddenly becomes peaceful, but because our hearts can find peace in Him even when everything around us feels hurried and chaotic.

True peace does not come from slowing time or escaping the problems of the world. It comes from anchoring our hearts in the presence of God. When we intentionally pause—through prayer, gratitude, and quiet reflection—we remember that our lives are held in His hands.

Life may move quickly, but it is not meaningless. Every moment becomes richer when we recognize that God is present within it. Peace grows when we learn to trust Him with both the world’s conflicts and the limited time we have been given.

What does this verse mean for our lives?

• Stop letting anxiety control our thoughts.
• Release things we cannot control.
• Remember that God is working even when we don’t see it.
• Trust Him with both world events and personal struggles.

This is a call … a call to rest in God’s authority instead of living in constant fear or stress.   Sometimes being still is not about escaping the chaos – it’s about finding peace in God right in the middle of it.