By Dianna Hobbs // Inspiration

This devotion is used by permission from Dianna Hobbs, writer of YourDailyCupOfInspiration.com. Hear Dianna’s podcast here.

Five years ago, my world shattered. Brain trauma stole my memories, my identity, and my ministry. Overnight, my calendar, once filled with engagements and opportunities to share God's miracle in my life, was wiped clean. No more touring with my book, "God Did It." No more serving at my local church. No more singing, blogging, or podcasting.

My purpose, as I knew it, had been obliterated. Anxiety and PTSD consumed me. Aphasia, a frustrating side effect of my brain injury, robbed me of my words and replaced them with profanity. I felt embarrassed, defeated, and powerless. My future, once bright with promise, now felt like a dark, foreboding tunnel with no exit in sight. I went from being a globe-trotting minister to a shadow of my former self, too afraid to step outside my own home. The silence was deafening, the fear suffocating. I was imprisoned, not by physical bars, but by the chains of my own mental trauma.

In those desperate moments, it seemed as though my ministry was finished. My circumstances screamed, "It's over!" I went from praying for the sick to needing therapy and medication just to face each day. What use could God possibly have for me now? I was a wreck, so how could I help anyone else?

The Vital Importance of Stillness

But little did I know, God was working a profound transformation in me. In the stillness, in the quiet, in the darkness, He was filling me, healing me, restoring me. He was teaching me the vital importance of stillness—not just for me, but for every believer.

Why are we so afraid to be still? It is in stillness that the Lord equips us for every good work, illuminates our path forward, and gives us clarity for the new season we're about to enter. Like Mary of Bethany, I had to learn to set aside the endless busyness, the frantic toiling, and simply sit at Jesus' feet. I had to choose what Jesus called the “better” part.

In Luke 10:38-42, we find Jesus, weary from His travels and ministry, arriving in Bethany, a small town east of Jerusalem where He had close friends—Mary and Martha, who welcomed Him into their home. As Jesus rested, Martha became consumed by the duties of hospitality, preparing a meal for their special guest. Meanwhile, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, absorbing His teaching and presence. When Martha complained that her sister was not helping, Jesus did not scold Mary. Instead, He said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).

When Jesus said, "Mary has chosen what is better," the word "better" comes from the Greek word "ἀγαθός" (agathos) which means "good," "noble," or "excellent," or in its comparative form, "more excellent."

"Better" here indicates that Mary's choice was of greater value and importance because it focused on spiritual nourishment and direct communion with Jesus, which is more lasting and meaningful than the temporary tasks Martha was preoccupied with.

The nuance of the word suggests that Mary's focus on Jesus and His words represents the priority of spiritual growth and relationship with God over the busyness of daily tasks.

God is Preparing You for Something

Reflecting on this passage made me think back on my season of silence and recontextualize it. Being seated made me feel worse, but it was actually better for me in the end. Just as Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing His presence over the busyness of life, I too was seated, focused on Him rather than my own preoccupations. This forced stillness, though challenging, meant that I would emerge better than before—better equipped for ministry, better conditioned for the work ahead, better focused on the things that truly matter.

And for someone receiving this word, God told me to declare over you that this season you're going through—though it may initially make you feel worse—will ultimately produce better results, better outcomes, and a better version of you. You’ve been feeling down lately because you’re looking at the situation the wrong way. God is preparing you for something far more spectacular than you ever imagined!

Just as Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet proved more valuable in the end, so too will your current season of stillness and focus on Him yield greater fruit. I dare you to declare by faith, "This is making me better!"

Yes, it is. Better than you were before. As the saying goes, "See yourself in the future; you look much better than you do right now." Your season of sitting, like mine, is an opportunity to rise better equipped, better conditioned, and better focused on the things that truly matter.

God Forces Us to Be Still

Too often, we are like Martha—consumed by our to-do list, our personal pursuits, our obligations. But Mary knew that the greatest thing she could give Jesus was her attention, her presence. And in giving Him that, she received so much more in return. David wrote in Psalm 23, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters."

Sometimes, God uses ordinary moments of life, as well as trials, struggles, and disappointments, to make us lie down, to lead us beside those still waters. He forces us to be still, to quiet our minds and our hearts, so we can hear His voice and feel His presence. And that is where He wants you today.

In the midst of your chaos, your drama, your struggles, your fears, your stressors, your hectic life, Jesus is calling, "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" (Matthew 11:28-29).

God told me to tell you, if you sit down, He will rise up and do what you cannot do. Even though this feels like the worst thing, in the end, it will be the best thing that ever happened to you. Very often, in the Kingdom of God, forced silence precedes forthcoming blessings. So, if you feel stuck, seated, stagnant, or still, and you want to be up, moving forward into perceived progress, God has a word for you: "If you be still, I will move—and by My power, I will do all the things you can’t do."

I hear Him saying, “You sit down and let God arise.” When God arises, He scatters enemies (Psalm 68:1). And I'm stirring a divine directive into your cup of inspiration found in Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."

As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that God wants you to be still so He can move. Take your hands off it, so He can place His hands on it. Because when He stretches out His mighty hand, things shift in your favor, and you will see blessings manifest like you've never seen before!

This is the invitation God has for you—to stop striving, to cease your endless toiling, and simply be still. To make space for Him to speak, to heal, to guide, to bless. To open doors. To make ways. To make an example out of you for His glory.

In order to see what stillness produces, you’ve got to choose the better part, as Mary did, as David did, as I have had to do. Take it from me, friend—there are some things—better things—God can only give you, only speak to you, only do in you when you are still. So, I urge you, find that place of stillness. Sit at His feet. Open your heart. Receive from Him.

When you get up, you—and everything that concerns your divine purpose—will be better for it.

Now, let’s pray.

God, help me to resist trying to do things my way, even serving You and navigating life's challenges in my own strength. My way has only led to frustration, restlessness, and emptiness. So, I surrender. I give up my plans, my need to control, my endless toiling. I choose to sit at Your feet, to open my heart, to receive from You. I choose the better part so I can receive the better things You have for me. I surrender all to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.