Before You Reach For Your Phone

Divine Inspirations | by Dee Davis

Focus Scripture

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

— Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

There are moments in our walk with God—especially in this chapter of life—when a familiar scripture suddenly speaks with fresh clarity.

Today, for me, it was Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

I’ve read those words many times before.

But this time, they felt like more than an invitation.

They felt like a loving interruption.

A holy pause.

A gentle reminder from God to stop long enough to remember who He is.

And perhaps more importantly…

To remember who I am not.

The Context We Often Miss

When many people hear the words “be still,” they imagine a peaceful setting—a quiet room, a calm morning, a moment free from interruptions.

But Psalm 46 paints a very different picture.

The psalm begins with mountains shaking, waters roaring, and nations raging. It describes instability, uncertainty, and upheaval.

Yet it is in the middle of that chaos that God speaks:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

The command was not given in the absence of trouble.

It was given in the middle of it.

God was not asking His people to pretend the chaos didn’t exist.

He was calling them to stop panicking long enough to remember who was ruling over it.

And that truth still speaks to us today.

When Life Feels Unstable

For many women over 50, life may not look chaotic on the outside, but it can certainly feel chaotic on the inside.

There are concerns about family.

Health changes.

Aging parents.

Adult children.

Financial responsibilities.

Ministry assignments.

Unexpected transitions.

Questions about the future.

Some mornings we wake up already carrying the weight of the day before our feet even touch the floor.

And if we’re honest, one of the first things many of us do is reach for our phones.

We check messages.

Emails.

News updates.

Social media.

Calendars.

Not because we’re distracted.

Because we’re looking for reassurance.

We’re looking for answers.

We’re looking for some sense of control.

But before we realize it, we’ve consulted everyone and everything except God.

More Than Silence… It’s Surrender

As I sat with this scripture, I learned that the Hebrew word translated “be still” is raphah, which means to let go, release, or cease striving.

God was not merely telling His people to be quiet.

He was telling them to stop striving.

To loosen their grip.

To release control.

And that challenged me.

Because every time I rush ahead of God, every time I allow responsibilities to crowd out His presence, I am subtly communicating:

“I’ve got this.”

But the truth is, I don’t.

And neither do you.

The older I get, the more I realize that strength is not found in carrying everything.

Strength is found in surrendering everything.

The Shift Happens in His Presence

Recently, I chose to pause.

Just for a moment.

To sit with God before rushing into my day.

And something remarkable happened.

The circumstances didn’t change.

The responsibilities didn’t disappear.

The unanswered questions remained.

But I changed.

My thoughts settled.

My perspective shifted.

My spirit quieted.

Because I remembered something important:

The same God who rules over nations rules over my day.

The same God who holds the world together is holding me together.

Stillness is not the absence of chaos.

It is the recognition of God’s rule in the middle of it.

Peace Is Found in His Presence

Isaiah 26:3 reminds us:

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (NLT)

Notice where peace is found.

Not in productivity.

Not in checking every box on our to-do list.

Not in having all the answers.

Peace is found in trusting God.

Peace is found in fixing our thoughts on Him.

Peace is found in His presence.

A Call to the Women of God

Woman of God, your confidence is not found in controlling every outcome.

It is found in knowing the One who controls what you cannot.

The challenges may still be there.

The responsibilities may still be waiting.

The uncertainties may not disappear overnight.

But God remains the same.

He is still your refuge.

Still your strength.

Still your helper.

Still your peace.

Before you reach for your phone tomorrow morning…

Before you check your messages…

Before you review your calendar…

Before you carry the weight of another day…

Pause.

Be still.

Remember who is ruling over all of it.

The day may not change.

But you will.

Time to Reflect

* What concerns or uncertainties have been occupying your thoughts lately?

* Where have you been striving instead of surrendering?

* What would change if you intentionally sought God before seeking answers elsewhere?

A Simple Charge

Tomorrow morning, before you reach for your phone…

Reach for Him.

Before you seek information…

Seek His presence.

Before you carry your concerns…

Bring them to the One who already knows.

Be still.

And know.

Prayer

Father,

Forgive us for the times we have allowed worry, striving, and self-reliance to take the place of trust.

Teach us how to be still in a world that constantly demands our attention.

Help us to remember that You are God over every situation, every transition, every responsibility, and every concern we carry.

When life feels unstable, remind us that You remain our refuge and strength.

Quiet our anxious thoughts.

Realign our priorities.

Draw us back to Your presence.

Teach us to seek You first before seeking answers elsewhere.

Today we choose to surrender, to trust, and to rest in Your sovereign care.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Stay encouraged and be blessed!