Most people would  probably agree that hard work is usually needed to accomplish goals. But sometimes our best efforts—whether trying to reach a personal best, find healing, or just be at peace—result only in floundering and flailing. When this occurs, an essential ingredient is missing: trust in God. I found a good analogy for this in an experience I had as a child.

I worked so hard at trying to swim but ended up splashing around in a panic and getting water up my nose. So my parents signed me up for swimming lessons, and the first thing the instructor taught me was how to float. She gently rolled me onto my back, placed her hands underneath me, then slowly removed them while standing close by. I found to my amazement that the water was holding me up and that I could float! She assured me that if I ever felt tired or got into trouble or
was afraid while in the water, I could turn over onto my back and just float, letting the water support me. What a wonderful gift—to discover that I always had this capacity. After this, I quickly learned to swim.

Spiritual stillness is God-given and God-sustained.