5 Biblical Benefits of Getting Still before God

  • Whitney Hopler Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
  • Updated Sep 10, 2024
5 Biblical Benefits of Getting Still before God

In the middle of your busy life, finding moments of stillness can feel like a luxury you can’t afford. This fallen world encourages you to hurry up, to keep moving, and to stay busy. But as a believer, you know that God calls you to step away from the world’s chaos and be still before God. This stillness is not just about finding peace; it's about reconnecting with your loving Heavenly Father as one of his beloved children.

The Bible is full of encouraging messages to get still before God, and doing so offers numerous spiritual benefits. Here are 5 biblical benefits of getting still before God.

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  • Woman praising the Lord

    1. You can experience God’s peace.

    One of the most powerful benefits of being still before God is experiencing perfect peace from God. In the stress of your daily life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by concerns about what you need. But in those moments, God invites you to pause, seek his presence, and pray about everything that concerns you. The Bible encourages you Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    When you take the time to be still before God, you create space for God’s peace to enter your heart. That peace is not dependent on your circumstances, which can change at any time. It’s based on God’s perfect trustworthiness, which is consistently reliable. Being still before God allows you to shift your focus from your problems to God’s promises. It reminds you that no matter what you face, God is with you. God’s peace acts as a guard over your heart and mind, protecting you from evil attempts to fill you with fear and doubt. By resting in God’s presence, you can experience a peace that doesn’t make sense to the world but covers you completely, no matter what. When you intentionally seek stillness, you’re not just seeking an absence of noise or activity; you’re seeking God’s presence.

    It’s by noticing God’s presence with you that you find true peace – a peace that calms your soul and gives you the strength to face whatever comes your way. The world may continue to be chaotic, but within the stillness, you can find a refuge in God’s peace.

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  • 2. You can receive God’s guidance.

    2. You can receive God’s guidance.

    Another vital benefit of getting still before God is receiving his guidance. In a world full of competing voices and opinions, it can be challenging to discern God’s will for your life. You may find yourself struggling with important decisions and unsure of which path to take. But the Bible assures you that when you seek God in stillness, he will faithfully guide you.

    In Psalm 32:8, God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” God wants to lead you, but you must be willing to listen. By getting still before him, you create the opportunity to hear God’s voice clearly. It’s in these quiet moments that God speaks to your heart, giving you the guidance you need. Sometimes, God’s guidance comes as a gentle whisper, a nudging in your spirit that points you in the right direction. At other times, it may come through a Bible verse that stands out to you during your quiet time. Regardless of how God speaks to you, what’s most important is that you’re carefully listening so you can hear God’s voice. When your mind is cluttered with distractions, it can be difficult to hear. But in stillness, you it’s much easier to pay attention to what God is saying to you.

    Also, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trusting God’s guidance requires surrendering your own plans to God’s greater wisdom. By being still before God, you demonstrate that trust. God’s guidance often comes with a sense of peace and assurance. Even if the path ahead seems unclear, you can trust that God is leading you in the right direction. God’s guidance is not just about making the right choices; it’s about aligning your heart with God’s heart day by day. When you take the time to be still before God, you open yourself up to the guidance that only God can provide.

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  • woman holding bible praying looking up praying clutching

    3. You can grow more in love with God.

    Stillness before God is a powerful way to deepen your relationship with him. In any relationship, time spent together is crucial for growth and intimacy. The same is true in your relationship with God. When you prioritize stillness, you’re making space for meaningful connection with your loving Heavenly Father.

    God says in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse highlights the importance of being still to truly know God. It’s in the stillness that you come to know God better – who God is, and how he is working for good in your life. When you’re busy, it’s easy to treat your relationship with God as just another item on your to-do list. But growing closer to God requires more than just checking off spiritual boxes. It requires intentional time spent in God’s presence – not just talking to him, but listening and being with him. Prayer should be relational, not just transactional. When you’re still before God, you allow yourself to experience his love in a deeper way. You become more aware of his presence, more sensitive to his voice, and more attuned to his heart. Jesus modeled this loving relationship with God during his time on earth.

    Luke 5:16 reveals: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to spend time alone with the Father, how much more do you? As you grow more in love with God by spending time with him in stillness, you begin to understand his heart, and your desires start to line up with God’s desires. This transforms your relationship from one of obligation to one of genuine love and devotion. Stillness before God is not just a discipline but a delight – an enjoyable time when you can simply be with the one who knows and loves you best. 

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  • 4. You can discover the wonder of God’s awe-inspiring work.

    4. You can discover the wonder of God’s awe-inspiring work.

    One of the most beautiful blessings of being still before God is the opportunity to discover the wonder of God’s awe-inspiring work. If you hurry through a busy schedule without any breaks, you can become desensitized to the everyday miracles God performs every day. But when you take the time to be still, you open your eyes to the wonders that surround you and the miraculous ways God is at work.

    Psalm 65:8 declares: “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” When you pause to be still before God, you can notice and appreciate many glimpses of God’s work – from awe-inspiring experiences in God’s creation to wonderful experiences of God’s love flowing through your life. Getting still before God allows you to encounter God’s power and majesty. In the stillness, you can reflect on the ways God has moved in your past, the prayers he has answered, and the miracles he has performed. You begin to see evidence of God’s work in the everyday moments and realize that nothing is too small or too insignificant for God’s attention.

    Job 37:14: “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” This verse is an invitation to pause and take in the greatness of God’s works. When you’re constantly on the move, you may miss the subtle ways God is at work in your life. But in stillness, you have the space to see and appreciate God’s wonders and to stand in awe of God’s loving power. You begin to see life through the lens of God’s majesty, and this perspective shifts your focus from the mundane to the miraculous. It deepens your faith, reminding you that the God who created the universe is the same God who is closely involved in your life. 

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  • 5. You can find strength in God’s presence.

    5. You can find strength in God’s presence.

    Finally, when you get still before God, you can find strength in his presence. Life can be exhausting – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You may find yourself worn out by the demands of life, struggling to keep going. But in those moments, God invites you to come to him and find rest. Isaiah 40:31 offers this promise: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse reminds you that true strength comes from the Lord. When you hope in the Lord by getting still before him and waiting with hope for him to answer your prayers, you tap into a source of strength that is far greater than your own. Being still before God is not about doing nothing; it’s about actively resting in his presence. It’s about asking God to bring revival and renewal to you. This rest is not a passive state but an active exchange, where you lay down your burdens and receive God’s strength in return.

    Jesus also invites you to find rest in him in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When you come to Jesus in stillness, you find a rest that rejuvenates your soul and empowers you to keep moving forward. In the stillness, God strengthens your spirit, empowering you to stand strong in your faith in all situations, no matter what. As you rest in God’s presence, you are empowered to soar above the challenges of life, to run your race with endurance, and to walk in faith without growing weary. 

    In conclusion, there are many benefits of being still before God, but you must be intentional in order to really do so every day. Since this busy world constantly demands your attention, choosing to be still before God is a radical act of faith. It’s a declaration that you trust God’s timing, that you value his presence, and that you recognize your need for him above all else. As you make time to be still before God, you can connect with God in ways that will help you receive all the blessings God has for you. So, take the time to be still. Let go of the distractions, the busyness, and the noise, and simply rest in the presence of your Creator. When you do so, you will enjoy a deeper, richer relationship with God!

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    headshot of author Whitney HoplerWhitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.