Word for 2026--Still

My word for 2025 was Intrepidez (yes, in Spanish), basically meaning fearlessness. I wanted to face the future without fear and let God take me on adventures that I may have shied away from out of fear or anxiety. I'd say I definitely did that and am thankful for the adventures, the memories, and the relationships built in those adventures. 

I didn't even start thinking about my new word for 2026 until a week or two ago. I've actually really struggled to keep up with life and teaching more this last semester than most. I seem to fall behind more easily or at least am not ahead of the game like I normally am. Partially because I'm learning from my teammate who has taught 2-way Dual Language more than me, so I'm leaning on her to guide the way for this first year that we're working together. However, feeling behind (or not ahead) can leave me feeling quite anxious and flustered. This year God is teaching me to take things one day at a time and to give myself (and others) grace. 

Though I haven't blogged much, I have been journaling a lot. I bought myself a journal that says, "Be still and know that I am God." When tempted to write anxious thoughts, the cover of the journal reminds me to only focus on things from above and to remember that God is always the One in control, guiding all things. 

Here's what I got from AI when I looked up the Biblical word still. 

"Be still, and know that I am God" is a powerful biblical phrase from Psalm 46:10, calling for quiet trust and surrender to God's sovereignty, especially amidst chaos, urging believers to cease striving, acknowledge His control, and find peace by recognizing Him as the ultimate power, even during times of war or personal struggle.

It's an invitation to pause frantic efforts, be vulnerable, and trust that God is at work, promising He will be exalted.

Meaning & Interpretation

Context:

Written during times of conflict, Psalm 46 speaks of the earth shaking but God being a refuge.

The verse is a divine command to stop fighting or worrying.

"Be still" (Hebrew: raphah):

Means to stop, cease, let go, or relax.

It's a call to lay down arms and become undefended.

"Know that I am God":

A call to truly acknowledge, be aware of, and experience God's presence and power.

Core Message:

Stop struggling and realizing that God is in control and will ultimately triumph.

How to Apply It

In Chaos:

A reminder to find calm when life feels overwhelming, like the rising waters in the Psalm.

In Striving:

To recognize when frantic effort is counterproductive and to trust God's timing.

In Practice:

Take moments to breathe, pray, listen, and center yourself, letting go of the need to control everything.

This verse encourages a deep, quiet faith, reminding people that God's power is present even when circumstances seem hopeless.

While focusing on stillness, I am going to also focus on calmness. Ecclesiastes 10:4 stays that calmness can lay great errors to rest. A calm answer. A calm response. A calm posture. A calm heart and mind. 

Calmness expresses trust in Someone Else's control and sovereignty.