Choosing to Stay & Be Still When Everything in You Wants to Run

For The Woman Still In The Waiting

If you’re reading this and you're in a place where God hasn't given you the full picture yet…

I understand you more than you know.

It’s scary not knowing. It’s lonely not seeing progress. It’s heavy repeating the same prayer every day.

It’s hard choosing faith over feelings when everything feels uncertain.

But hear me:

God does His best work in what you cannot see.

Be still. Stay where He has you until He gives you clear direction. Know that YOU are being strengthened in the waiting. Know that staying isn’t wasted time. The woman you’re becoming is part of the miracle too.

God is not done with your story. And you are not done becoming the woman He is refining you to be.

Staying & How Being Still Worked For Me

There was a time in my marriage when everything in me wanted to run.

Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.

Running had always been my pattern. Even before marriage, if something felt too hard, too uncomfortable, or too painful, my instinct was to protect myself by exiting stage right. LOL! I was that girl!

So when my marriage hit seasons of hurt, confusion, emotional disconnect, or moments that looked nothing like the picture I imagined…Running felt familiar. Running felt easier. Running felt like the only thing I knew how to do.

And honestly? That’s exactly what culture tells us today.

“If you're unhappy, just leave.” “If it's hard, walk away.” “If it hurts, it’s not meant for you.”

But God didn’t tell me to leave.

Instead… I received a prophetic word telling me to STAY.

God didn’t give me a reason. He didn’t tell me how long. He didn’t promise what the outcome would look like.

But deep inside, I knew it wasn’t just “stay married.”

It was deeper than that. It was;

Stay positioned. Stay still. Stay open to what God is doing, & not what my emotions are doing.

In a world that treats discomfort like danger and quitting like empowerment, God gave me an assignment that felt completely opposite:

STAY. Be still. Stay planted. Let Me work.

Culture speaks to our emotions.

God speaks to our purpose.

What “Being Still” Actually Looked Like for Me

And let me be honest, “being still” did NOT mean I sat quietly on a couch with folded arms just waiting.

Being still meant:

• Seeking God & His word

• Refusing to react out of fear

• Choosing emotional discipline

• Surrendering instead of controlling

• Letting the Holy Spirit speak before I did

• Choosing peace even when I didn’t feel peaceful

• Trusting that silence didn’t mean God was absent

• Letting God work in places I couldn't see

This kind of stillness built a strength in me I never knew I had.

I didn’t realize how much strength comes from not moving until I had to do it.

There is a confidence and faith inside me now that I never once had.

I still don’t know the full picture. But now?

I don’t need to know.

Romans 5:3–4 reminds us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope — and that is exactly what staying power created in me.

Signs God Was Working (Even Before I Could See the Full Story)

When I turned down the volume of culture, & fear, and truly leaned into stillness…

I started to notice small signs of God moving:

• My peace didn’t break as easily

• Conversations became less defensive

• Patience showed up more often than frustration

• Words were spoken, actions were taken, that I KNOW could have only came from God

• My heart was becoming steadier, softer, stronger

It was little things. Small shifts.

And let me be clear, in my opinion God does NOT call anyone to stay in harm’s way. Abuse, danger, manipulation… that is NOT what this post is about.

However, He DOES call us to remain in His will, even when His will feels uncomfortable for a season.

Staying & Being Still Requires Strength You Don’t Even Know You Have

It’s easy to walk away when things get hard. It’s harder to stay when God tells you to stay.

It takes:

• spiritual maturity

• emotional strength

• self-control

• discernment

• faith

• trust

• humility

Staying isn’t about “putting up" with something or someone. It’s about partnering with God and being willing to say:

“Lord, I will not move until You tell me to move. I trust Your plan more than my feelings. Give me peace while I wait. Give me strength as I Stay ”- Amen