Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out… – Ruth 3:18, Amplified Bible (AMP)

A long time ago there was a young widow who traveled far from her homeland in search of a better life. She settled in a land of strangers who normally despised her kind, but miraculously she found favor among the people. One man, in particular, favored her greatly, and it wasn’t long before the two love birds decided to marry. Before they could proceed, however, they faced a challenge: another man had the legal right to marry the widow, and he had to renounce his right before the widow could marry the man she loved.

The next day the widow could do nothing but wait while her desired husband met with the man who had the legal right to marry her. It would be natural for anxiety, fear, and worry to overwhelm a person in such a position, a position where one is unable to influence a decision that could change one’s life. But the young widow did not appear to succumb to these temptations. Rather, she waited patiently, resting in the wisdom of the plan that brought her to her new home in the first place – trust God, for He knows what is best.  In the end, the man with legal right to the widow’s hand renounced his claim, and the two love birds married, living happily ever after.

The couple? Boaz and Ruth, the great-grandparents of King David and ancestors of Christ the Savior.

Many times we will face life-changing decisions or circumstances that will affect us deeply, but we will have no power to affect the outcome of those decisions or circumstances. In such times, it is easy to become frustrated, angry, or fearful. Oh, we may be able to influence some aspects of the process; Ruth for example, began the marriage discussion in the first place by asking Boaz to marry her (See Ruth 3:8-13). But there was a limit to what Ruth could do for herself, and when faced with the agonizing wait to see what the first-in-line kinsman redeemer would decide, she did the only thing that made sense: she sat still and waited upon God to do what was best for her.

In those times when it is evident that we’ve done all we can do, we have a choice to either fret and worry or to be still and know that God is God. Knowing that God is God means understanding that God wants to do what’s best for us, God is able to do what’s best for us, and God will do what’s best for us, every time. The only thing standing in the way of enjoying the fruits of this assurance – peace, joy, and rest – is us! We must really believe that God has our best interests at heart, and if we don’t, anxiety, not peace, floods our souls when faced with decisions or circumstances outside of our control.

If angst is the norm for you when you lack control over your fate, understand that your human nature is in control of you at such times. Be still, let the supernatural Holy Spirit that dwells within you take the lead in your life, and take rest as God works those difficult issues out for your best results and for His wonderful glory.

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