The waters do indeed rise and the flames may come close enough to singe us, but the power of God endures.

Stillness on the Way to Peace with God

Posted on by Michele Morin

With a steaming cup of tea in my favorite mug and an open Bible, I turned to a fresh page in my journal and prepared to take advantage of an empty and quiet house. Funny how stillness without is no guarantee of stillness within. A dozen tasks on my to-do list suddenly began competing for the top slot. My phone pinged a reminder of the great wide world of interaction I might be missing. Worst of all, the inability to corral my undisciplined brain took the lead in a parade of faults and failures that taunted my good intentions there at the dining room table.

If you’ve sat in that particular chair before, Patsy Burnette shares the great good news that no matter where you are or where you’ve been, stillness of heart and soul is a gift from God that comes to those who trust for it and wait for it. The Heart That Heals is her story as well as her affirmation that God stands firmly and faithfully behind his promises of comfort and strength.

“Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

Burnette experienced this truth first hand when, as a young mum, her eighteen-year-old sister died in a tragic car accident. Making a conscious choice to reject bitterness and self- pity, she has invested her energy instead in the slow process of knowing God. On the journey, she has learned the painful truth that the waters do indeed rise and the flames may come close enough to singe us, but the power of God endures:
He is with you through the waters.
The rivers will not overwhelm you.
The flames of heartbreak and trouble will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

The Source of Stillness

By grace, stillness will come as God lives alongside us and as he gives us strength to move outside our own pain to offer help to a friend or to pray someone else through a dark season. Therefore, Patsy writes with the goal of helping her readers, but also with the hope of equipping each of us to become helpers.

The truth that runs like a ribbon through Scripture is that “tribulation is inevitable,” but  “peace is available.”  (64) If this irony is news to you, Burnette prescribes a strong dose of John 16 truth, the words of Jesus to his disciples in one of their last conversations before his arrest and crucifixion:

“I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Acceptance of divinely appointed circumstances is God’s anodyne for the painful happenings. The stillness he brings to the chaos is a path of peace through storm.

Acknowledging my own inability to swim, sprint, fight, connect the dots, or crack the code to find peace on my own terms is the first step toward “the peace that surpasses all understanding.” It is this circumference that defines the still center where the healing heart finds rest.

May this peace be yours today,

Michele Morin

I  am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase The Heart That Heals: Healing Our Brokenness Through the Promises of God simply click on the title (or the image) within the text, and you’ll be taken directly to Amazon. If you decide to buy, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Photo by Eddy Boom on Unsplash

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and six adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

99 thoughts on “Stillness on the Way to Peace with God”

  1. Michele : Such a beautiful post !
    I live in almost complete silence ; I mainly hear only the sea, and the sound of seabirds. Stillness and silence is beautiful, and allows us to hear the still voice of the Holy Spirit. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I love to hear the water and the sound of sea gulls always gets my attention. Silence is beautiful. Living on a very busy city street makes me long for the silence even more, especially when a string of fire trucks or police cars goes speeding by.

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    2. Thank you for sharing these beautiful thoughts on stillness and this book that sounds so good. I can so easily identify with this: “Funny how stillness without is no guarantee of stillness within.” This lesson of stillness continues to be an ongoing one for me! I am grateful that He brings His encouragement to us, and He finds ways to bring us deeper into His own stillness of heart. Your book reviews always leave me wanting me more–I’m so glad I was finally able to purchase “Suffering is Never for Nothing,” by Elisabeth Elliot. What a treasure that you pointed us toward! Blessings to you!

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      1. Bettie, I’m so happy that you were able to connect with Elisabeth’s thoughts on suffering. Certainly, for you, the topic is not merely academic, and while her writing is no nonsense, she has deep roots in Scripture, which is what I need when I’m wondering.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I understand your dilemma, Michele. I sometimes look forward to some quiet alone-time so I can read, write, or think, only to finally get that time and not be in the correct mindset for contemplation.

    I did not know Patsy’s story, but I do love her writing. Thank you for sharing this very good recommendation. Two very good reasons to get the book!

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  6. Acceptance. God’s anodyne.I like that. (even if I had to look up the definition 😄). For me its been about swallowing the bitter pills instead of insisting on sucking on them! Thanks Michele

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  7. Acknowledging our inabilities is usually the first step toward lasting peace. I love this, Michele: “It is this circumference that defines the still center where the healing heart finds rest.”

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  8. “Funny how stillness without is no guarantee of stillness within.” Yes, I have experienced that all too often. “Tribulation is inevitable,” but “peace is available” is such a succinct way to put it. Are you familiar with the Getty and Townend song “Still, My Soul Be Still”? The words are beautiful and in keeping with this theme.

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  9. Beautiful post, Michele. The book sounds like a good read. It’s strange that what seems like a simple thing–to sit still and be quiet–can be one of the most difficult things we ever attempt. Our minds do not like obeying that silence thing, and focus comes with much effort sometimes. But it is a wonderful place to be: Be still and know that I am God. What a wonderful reward for silence and stillness!

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  10. I sadly know far too well the mind that meanders when I have time set aside to be alone with the Lord, His Word, my journal, and a desire to reflect. It seems that life invades from all corners and the enemy schemes to keep me from intimate fellowship with the Lord and the deep refreshment that comes from Him and Him alone. This sounds like a great book. Thanks as always for an excellent review.

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    1. I’m wondering if you also cherished the notion that by the time we were “of a certain age” we would have an easier time with focused attention. With all the years I’ve been working at it, I would have thought it would become “easy” by now…

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      1. Oh, yes! I hear you on that one…my mind can be very active. Last night it was active and I couldn’t get to sleep…wasn’t worried about anything, but just alert!!😀

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      2. Eyes wide open on the pillow!
        I have those times as well, and try to put the time to good use (and not think about the fact that the BEST use of that time would be… sleep!)

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  12. This just made me go read Isaiah 43… thank you for giving me the nudge to be still for a moment to spend some time with Jesus ❤

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  15. I needed to hear these words about stillness and peace. I have so much I want to do yet time slips though my fingers as I pay attention to the immediate concerns and put the important matters on the back burner. I also looked up “anodyne” in my thesaurus to get the concise meaning about what a sedative does…calming effect. The quote with it brings calm to me: “Acceptance of divinely appointed circumstances are God’s anodyne for painful happenings. The stillness He brings to chaos is a path of peace through storm.” I will set aside some time to be still, reflecting on the Words from the Lord. Thank you for your words.

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    1. Anodyne is one of those old words that has fallen out of use, but I like it because it doesn’t carry the baggage that a lot of our more modern words have: sedative, tranquilizer… We’re sort of triggered, I think, by the opioid crisis. And yet, there is a right kind of pain management that comes from God and not from a bottle.
      Thanks for letting me know how this post landed on your heart.

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  17. I teach in a primary school and silence is absolutely golden to me. I am being totally truthful. After being so busy all day, there is something so meaningful about quiet moments for reflection and prayer. Thank you for linking up.

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  18. I am on the learning curve for experiencing the joy of stillness and the thrill of God’s whisper in my spirit. Now I love those quiet, commitment-free mornings when I can spend at least an hour sitting on our deck (or cozied up in my office) to just be still, listen, and journal impressions from God. Patsy Burnette is right: He DOES supply comfort and strength when we settle ourselves in his presence.

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  25. Honestly, this sounds like a really good read. I just read a book called Peace Like a River and I loved it so much! I’m on the prowl for another “real” book and this one may be it. There was something about holding it in my hands that was so enjoyable.

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  27. Sounds like a great book. The house is quiet now, and yet I find my heart is restless. The cares of this world can sure stir up our thoughts. Then I’m reminded by your post that it’s in knowing He is God that my soul can be still. Love this quote, “Acknowledging my own inability to swim, sprint, fight, connect the dots, or crack the code to find peace on my own terms is the first step toward “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

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  31. I wrote my review for this book yesterday and so I loved reading yours this morning. It really is a lovely book and brought a beautiful reminder to be still before the Lord. As we do, He will bring the healing our hearts need and fulfill His purposes in our lives.

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  32. Stillness within is definitely not a reflection of stillness without. As a mom of Littles I get that! It is hard to find a quiet moment. But I know that God will quiet me if I ask him to!

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  33. Good morning Michele. What beautiful reminders about stillness. Yes to peace! Sometimes I allow myself to get swept away by circumstances, but He always brings me back. May God bless you today. In Christ, Julie

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  34. I have this verse over the desk in my home office. It is something I need in bold script letters as a constant reminder. I agree with what you said that just because a house is peaceful doesn’t mean there is peace on the inside. Thank you for sharing the review of this book which seems to offer an antidote for that very problem.

    Blessings,

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  37. We travel for hubbys work and nothing is better than when we end up near the beach. I love that quietness. It makes me be still. Finding the peace that only God brings seems so much easier when we find that stillness. Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

  40. “Acceptance of divinely appointed circumstances is God’s anodyne for the painful happenings. The stillness he brings to the chaos is a path of peace through storm.” Brilliant and a much needed reminder. Words that I will be sharing today with some people whom are very close to me. This past week, I have found myself being the main support person for a few very close people to me as they navigate their ways through tremendous pain and emotional wreckage. While it is not my pain, I have been called upon to help them and I hope they find their path of peace through their current storms. Thank you for this.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Stillness and calm can provide great solace at times of stress as the hustle and bustle of daily life can become overwhelming. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

    Liked by 1 person

  42. This sounds like a gorgeous read. It’s interesting that you touched on the stillness outside not necessarily being reflected inside. As a busy mum, once everyone’s tucked up in bed, it’s still so busy and loud with all the tasks at hand, even though the house is finally at rest. Thank you for joining us with your thoughts over on the #DreamTeam x

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Nice posting When I just got save I found myself reading Isaiah 43: 1- 6 everyday, no matter what else I was reading in the Bible I still have to go back and read that scripture. I then realized that throughout my christian journey I pass through the water like trials, the like river trials and I walk through the fire trials. It is so important to have the word of God to hold unto and to remind us in the trying times. In our trying times God knows how to give peace. I am going through one of the hardest trial ever and experience rejections by God kept reminding me by the scriptures that he is with me.
    I can’t explain everything in detail When I should be in deep sorrow I had peace, I felt like running and dancing nothing bothered me. I had done a video but still mot in detail about the peace I experience (How To Experience Peace That Passeth All Understanding) http://bit.ly/2ktgi8S Please comment on the video. Thank you.

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