Be Still / Mrs Hannah Flaugher

Mrs Hannah Flaugher

Asst Pastor's Wife

New Baptist Church

Independence, MO

Be Still

In this life, I can undoubtedly say that each of us have been through a trial, or multiple trials. We know what it’s like to be in a valley. Whether it be the valley of discouragement, grief, sickness… the list could go on and on. With social media being instant, at the click of a button, we are immediately connected to anyone and everyone. We know What they’ve eaten for breakfast. We know that “she" has a sink full of dishes that she's dreading. We know that someone is having a super bad hair day. We know when someone is going out for a hot date with their hubby. We know when someone just needs a little bit of extra prayer. We know when a momma is having a “Calgon, take me away” day. We can ask a question, and almost instantly get at least 10 or 15 people to reply to said question. Though, one thing has been so present as of late. Something that seems to be so present in the lives of my friends/family, acquaintances… and that is hurt. Trials. It seems like the valley of suffering has been hitting people I know like a freight train, that has come out of nowhere. I don’t know why, but it is almost like times of suffering comes in waves. Waves of loved ones passing away. Waves of loved ones having horrible accidents. Because of social media, we can (somewhat) see how people respond to these times of suffering. These times where they are stretched so thin, they don’t know if they can physically handle any more hurt. (I know social media only shows a fraction of the realm of things) We see those around us respond to the Lord through their valley of affliction. Through their hurt. Some of the things that others have been through lately, I find myself asking myself “Could I ever endure that type of hurt? Could I ever physically endure that type of affliction, and still have that type of grace?”. I look at their trial and think “oh Lord, please don’t let that ever happen to me! Please don’t make me ever have to go through something like that.”. But then, I find the Lord reminding me that my life is not MINE to control. I’m His. I am not my own. (1 Cor. 6:19 & 20) He reminds me that we don’t go through trials because He likes to see us in pain, or that He takes joy in seeing us hurt. I don’t know why the Lord chooses certain people to go through such heartache. I don’t know why He would choose to take 3 precious babies from a Momma and Daddy through a horrible house fire. I don’t know why the Lord would choose to take an unborn child's life from the loving womb of his Momma. I don’t know why He would choose to give a precious man of God a debilitating disease, to where he couldn’t even feed himself or have to ability to perform the normal daily tasks that a grown man is accustom to doing himself. I don’t know why the Lord would allow a sweet Godly Pastors wife, Momma to little ones, to have a cancer that would inevitably take her life. I don’t know why. I don’t have the answers to those question. I could sit all day and ask “Lord, why? Why them? Or, why my family? Or why me??”. I know it’s our human nature to ask “Why, Lord? Why is this happening?”. I’ve found myself asking that so many times. But, If I could just stand still, and listen to the Lords comforting voice, Its almost like I hear the Lord saying “Ssssh... (2 Cor. 12:9) …My grace is sufficient for thee:…”. It’s so hard to be still when we're going through trials. Personality wise, I’m a “fixer”. I will run myself ragged to do everything in my power to fix it. I run and run and run. I’m busy, I’m restless, I’m fearful. But, if I could just stop. Listen to the comforting voice of the Lord , I would quickly remember that, it’s not ME who is supposed to “fix it". I would do well to remember Psalms 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Even in my trials, I want my heart to greatly rejoice, and with my song will I praise Him. Instead of sitting and questioning the one who created me, I can KNOW that He is my strength! I don’t need to run myself ragged. HE is my strength! I don’t need to be fearful. HE is my shield! During those times of trials. Those valleys that seem to be endless… Just draw nigh to Him. Guess what will happen when you draw night to Him? James 4:8 says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you”. Don’t be fearful in that valley. Many times I’ve heard people say “I don’t know how to let the

Lord comfort me! It’s by standing still. Being quiet. Letting go of the reigns (because you’re not in control of them anyway) and letting the Lord work. I don’t know what trial, or valley is coming down the road for me. My Dad always says “You’re either just getting out of a valley, are in a valley right now, or are fixin' to head into one”. When my valley comes, I want to remember these things. Because HE is my strength, I don’t need to DO anything, except be still. Just like my Daddy still tells me “It’s all gone be ok, because He's God”. Psalms 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God:…”.