Anxiety chases me like a lion tracking down its next meal. As soon as something nerve-racking happens, the juices in my gut start to churn and I can almost hear anxiety growling.

But as I resist it, there’s a greater churn in my soul.

Be still and know I am God. (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

The more I embrace stillness — by ceasing my activity, quieting distractions and focusing on God — the more my knowing Him grows.

I admit, being still isn’t easy for me. I’m a doer and a talker. My mother used to tell me I have my father’s energy.

I agree. My dad was an “on the go” guy. He was always moving, talking, helping or thinking about his next move.

However, stillness takes discipline. It accepts God’s invitation to the restless heart.

It offers release to the anxious mind.

It’s the posture of a yielded spirit.

“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 AMP)

As we recognize God is God and grasp the biblical understanding of who He is, we gain greater clarity about who we are too.

In my recent bout with anxiety, Psalm 46:10 repelled the worries around me with this one question:

What do you know about God?

This is quite different from what do you want from God or how do you feel about Him?

As I knelt, with my face pressing into my quilt and my heart pressing into His presence, my recognition and understanding quickened. My words came from His Word. Clarity flowed.

He loves me. (Romans 8:35-39)
He forgives my sin and redeemed my life from destruction. (Psalm 103:3- 5)
He is a Strong Deliverer. (Psalms 34:19)
Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17)

As I continued with my knowing, a hush fell over my heart. A holy quiet filled the room. I knew God was at work in my circumstances and in me.

I knew in any situation anything was possible with Him.

But mostly, I knew God.

Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28 NLT)

In God’s presence, being still leads to being clear.

He is God and I am not, and neither is anyone else. Even in humanity’s best efforts or worst intentions, God is in control. His providence and power go beyond our ability and comprehension.

God is good all the time. Even when life feels horrible or unfair, in chaos, He is Order. In pain, He is Comfort and Healing. In injustice, He is the Righteous Judge.

God is always at work and His plan is always perfect. Even when we don’t sense His activity, we can always rest in His faithfulness and love.

Otherwise, my idea of who He is gets muddled.

When I am unclear, I get busy trying to fix things on my own.

When I’m unclear, I’m easily frustrated and discouraged by the smallest of things.

When I am unclear, anxiety sinks its teeth in me. My knower is broken.

And yet, my heavenly Father’s attributes put me in awe. His Sovereign power steadies me against fears and foes, because I know…

He will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted in the earth.

When I am still and focused on Him, He is exalted in me.

Anxiety sits toothless and declawed. My knower is fully functioning. It brings tremendous clarity and of course, hope for the heart and joy to the soul.