Be Still and Know: A Journey into Stillness with God

In a world that demands constant movement, striving, and fixing, the concept of being still can seem foreign.

We’re wired to push for the next thing—whether it’s financial security, better relationships, or some sense of accomplishment. Yet, God’s message to us is clear: Be still and know that I am God. There’s a taste of peace, a taste of presence that comes when we stop striving. And once you get that taste, you’ll want more.

Yesterday, during a powerful moment in church, I felt God drop a word into my spirit: Be. I stood there, surrounded by the rising sound of praise, but inside, I was still. Letting it all happen. God wasn’t calling me to figure things out or work harder. He was inviting me to be still. That moment reminded me of a song that’s been on repeat in my heart lately: Be Still by Hillsong Worship.

“Be still and know that the Lord is in control
Be still, my soul, stand and watch as giants fall.”

The giants in our lives—fear, doubt, control—crumble when we let God take the reins. I think back on my own life, the journal entries full of prayers for things to change: God, fix this. God, make that better. The endless wishing for better circumstances has been a theme for years. And yet, in my striving, I missed the very thing God was offering in the present: His peace.

Mindful photography has been a way for me to slow down and actually see the present moment. When I’m out with my camera, I’m not just taking photos; I’m framing pieces of God’s creation, reminding myself to stop striving and just be. It’s in those moments I feel God’s presence the strongest.

Trusting in Stillness

“Be still, and trust
What the Lord has said is done
Find rest, don’t strive
Watch as faith and grace align.”

There’s something profound about trusting God with the present moment—whether you’re in traffic, in the grocery store, or sitting in morning meditation. We spend so much time resisting the now, wishing things were different, but stillness invites us to stop resisting and accept where we are. It’s not passive. It’s an act of faith to believe that God is in control, even when life feels chaotic.

Eckhart Tolle often talks about the human tendency to want to be somewhere else, to desire something other than what’s in front of us. It’s a natural impulse, but it’s also a trap.

What if the present moment is exactly what God wants me to be?

From Resistance to Acceptance

“Be still, my heart, and know
I won’t be afraid.
You silence all my fear.”

The key to peace isn’t in forcing change—it’s in acceptance. Learning to accept my present circumstances as part of God’s will has been a game-changer. Instead of fighting for control, I’ve begun to surrender, trusting that God has it all figured out. That’s where I find peace.

This shift in mindset has also transformed how I approach meditation. It’s no longer just about stilling my mind—it’s about stillness with Jesus within me, beside me. I sit in His presence, allowing God to work in ways I could never orchestrate on my own. It’s a radical faith to believe that God can handle this moment without me striving to fix or control it.

Mindful Photography: A Path to Stillness

This idea of being still also flows into my love of photography. When I practice mindful photography, I’m not just capturing a scene—I’m capturing a moment of stillness. There’s something about throwing a frame around a subject that invites me into the present moment, whether I’m capturing the vastness of a landscape or the intricate veins of a leaf. Photography has been a tool that slows my busy mind, drawing me into God's handiwork in even the smallest details.

Photography has taught me to be present. When I focus my lens, I slow down and become aware of the beauty around me. It’s in those moments that I feel most connected to God. I think of the line in the song:

“Surely love and mercy,
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me.”

That’s exactly what I feel when I’m out in the world with my smartphone camera (airplane mode, cut off from the outside world)—God’s love and peace following me, guiding me to see His handiwork in everything.

Learning from Paul: Facing Fear and Rejection

When I think about this journey of stillness, I’m reminded of Paul. He knew what it was like to face fear, rejection, and hardship. Going into Corinth, he was so overcome with fear that his knees were shaking. But he stepped up, showed up, and trusted God anyway. Paul was the king of loss—beaten, rejected, abandoned—but he kept going because he knew that God was with him.

I have to learn to do the same. As I face putting myself out there, spreading this message of hope, taking on public speaking engagements and moments where I feel exposed and vulnerable, I need to remind myself that God is the author and finisher of my faith. He’s not going to leave me hanging or abandon me in the process. Like Paul, I need to shake off the dust of rejection and fear, and step into what God has for me.

How about you? Are you facing mountains alone right now? Worried that God isn’t working fast enough? That He needs your help to push things along? Yep, I get it.

Stillness is an Acquired Taste

Developing a taste for stillness takes time. It’s not just about pausing in the quiet moments; it’s about surrendering in the chaotic ones too. Whether you’re at a traffic light or in the middle of a stressful day, there are those moments of opportunity where you can stop striving and simply be still. It’s in those moments that God’s peace, love, and mercy become most real.

I encourage you to try it. The next time you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath, and surrender that one moment to God. Take a big fat belly breath and breathe out your opinions and solutions. Let go of your need to control, and trust that He’s got this.

Want a little taste of stillness and peace? Try a mindful photography practice. You can download a free one here.

You’ll find that once you develop a taste for stillness, you’ll want more. You’ll crave that sense of peace, knowing that God is in control and you don’t have to strive to make everything right.

Shine Your Light,
Joe

PS:

If you found this post helpful, you'll love my book, The Mindful Photography Field Guide: 15 Smartphone Photography Practices for Inner Peace. It’s packed with practical tips and inspiring stories. Ready to dive deeper? I also offer one-on-one mindful photography training to help you master skills that lead to inner peace. Reach out to me via my contact form and let’s connect.