God Is with Us
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Life sometimes feels so unsettled—within us and around us. In times of turmoil, what seemed rooted begins to sway. Pressures build from every direction, the pace stretches us thin, and the worry wears us down. The world adds its own noise of conflict, confusion, and change that never seems to stop. In our striving for control and certainty, even our best efforts can leave us wearier than before.
Yet, in Psalm 46, God speaks into chaos—a world where nations rage and the earth trembles. The divine word cuts through the noise: Be still. This is not an invitation to apathy or escape, but a call to trust in a strength that does not falter. When everything feels uncertain, God remains our refuge and fortress. The Lord of hosts is with us.
For many families raising a child with disabilities, this truth is especially tender. Life can be in constant motion: appointments to attend, forms to complete, systems to navigate, challenges to solve, nights shortened by worry or care, and countless acts of devoted love. Parents often carry both joy and weariness in the same breath. Stillness, then, is not about stopping—it’s about surrendering. It is trusting that even amidst the needs and noise, God is present and working. The One who holds the universe holds us, too.
At Christmas, we are led to the manger where Immanuel (God with us) enters our human story. The same presence that spoke into the storm now comes as a child into a world still marked by turmoil. God does not stay distant from crisis but enters into it with us. The One who said, “Peace, be still,” now speaks peace into our anxious hearts.
So this Advent, wherever you find yourself—in joy or exhaustion, in peace or uncertainty—hear again the invitation: Be still, and know that I am God. For every family who feels weary or unseen, hear again this good news: God is not far off. Christ who came to dwell among us will make all things new. Until that day, we rest in the very present nearness of God.
About the Author
Erik W. Carter, Ph.D., FAIDD
Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities & Executive Director, Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing
Dr. Erik Carter, Ph.D., joined Baylor’s School of Education faculty in 2023 as the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families.
At Baylor, Dr. Carter is collaborating to launch a new initiative aimed at advancing empirical and theological scholarship focused on disability, faith, and flourishing. In addition to rigorous research, it will focus on leadership training, resource development, and strategic partnerships that serve to change the current landscape within and beyond the church. He is committed to ensuring that the best of what we know works is what permeates everyday practices. Dr. Carter has co-authored seven books and more than 300 journal articles, chapters, and other publications.