Imagine yourself on a boat two thousand years ago. The air is buzzing with excitement, and the passengers close to you share stories of the wonders that Jesus had performed and how He taught and interacted with the people.

Waves splashed gently against the sides of the boat, the air was perfumed with remnants of the sea, and the rhythmic swaying created the perfect mood for a nap. Sadly, this nap became interrupted by drops of rain, rough waves tossing the boat, and the shouts of the disciples as they tried to keep the vessel afloat. They found themselves in a chaotic frenzy. Fear, anxiety, and panic ran high, and it seemed as if all hope was lost.

Someone remembered that Jesus was on the ship, and an urgent plea was made to Him. Master, save us! Jesus got up from His sleep, spoke to the wind, and in an instant the raging sea was quiet and peaceful.

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39 ESV)

It’s so fascinating how our circumstances can quickly change when we turn to Jesus. Panic and fear soon turned to calm, peace, and even amazement.

What can you do to turn moments of fear and anxiety into peace and calmness? Keep reading to find out the three simple steps you may follow.

How to Embrace Stillness in Life’s Turbulent Moments?

Embracing stillness in life’s turbulent moments is all about pausing, calling on the Lord, and allowing Him to transform your circumstances. Three simple words could very well sum up this process. Stop, drop, and roll.

1. Pausing

How to Embrace Stillness by Pausing?

Embracing stillness is all about pausing. Stop trying to fix the problem. Stop using all your time, resources, and energy to confront your challenges. Retreat from financial, emotional, and physical battles. Pausing or stopping doesn’t mean that you are giving up. It simply means taking a step back as you allow the Lord to step forward and confront your problems for you.

He promised that He would go before us and fight for us. Today, we have the same assurance as Jehosaphat, Joshua, the Israelites in the wilderness, and so many others.

The moment the disciples stopped trying to fight the storm and told Jesus to wake up, they proved that His strength is made perfect in weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

2. Calling on the Lord

How to Embrace Stillness By Calling on God?

Being still during the turbulent moments in your life is all about calling on the Lord. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6 NIV)

The effort of the disciples to save themselves and the boat in the storm was similar to running around frantically while your clothes are on fire. The more they moved about, the more they provided oxygen for the fire to keep going. Thank goodness they stopped what they were doing, called for Jesus, and dropped the task of saving the ship in the hands of Jesus.

You too can stop and then drop your challenges in the hands of Jesus. Instead of trying to solve every problem on your own or being frantic when you meet up on challenges, just follow the advice in Matthew 7:7. It states, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

3. Allow Him to transform

How to Embrace Stillness By Transforming your Life?

When we embrace stillness, we allow the Lord to transform our lives. This means that we will let Him roll out the plans and tactics that will smother our flames and crucibles and still our tempests. The Lord has promised that He will change our lives from one extreme to the next.

and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair… (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

“King Jesus will roll my burdens away when I pray” is a powerful line from a gospel song that reminds us that He can transform our lives if we depend on Him to do so. This transformation begins with our mindset and our attitude. This means that being still is dependent on what we think and how we behave.

…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

What Happens When You Are Still?

When you are still, you experience peace.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)

Following these three simple steps for being still allows us to embrace the peace that Christ offers, even while we are facing the most difficult storms of our lives.

Final thought

Don’t forget that Jesus is on the ship with you. Instead of trying to still the tempest or keep the ship afloat, just pause, call on Him, and allow Him to transform your storm with the command peace be still.