Lara Lais

Out of Rhythm, In His Hands

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
— James 1:2–3 (NIV)

I’ve never liked being still. Stillness feels too much like surrender, and surrender has never come naturally to me. But sometimes God allows life to press pause. Not to punish us, but to protect us.

This past Thursday, I was sent home from work because my heart went into AFib. It was sudden, scary, and not exactly the kind of attention I ever want. I’m strong-willed to my core, and I hate anyone worrying about me, especially over my health. My first thought was, I’m fine. I can push through. But my husband looked at me with that gentle firmness only he can manage and said, “Please, just rest.”

Everything in me wanted to resist, but I chose to honor him and truthfully, I needed to honor God, too. So I stayed home. I let my body exhale. I let silence have a voice. And in that forced stillness, I realized that sometimes the trial isn’t the illness, it’s the letting go.

James wrote that we should “consider it pure joy” when our faith is tested. Joy isn’t always laughter; sometimes it’s the quiet gratitude that says, Lord, I trust You even here. My heart may have been out of rhythm, but my spirit found a new one, one that beats in time with surrender.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”
Psalm 46:10

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

I didn’t want to slow down. I didn’t want to be seen as fragile. But God has a way of teaching strength through surrender. Rest doesn’t mean weakness, it means trust. Gratitude in the storm realigns the heart to the true rhythm of grace.

Now, when I thank Him for even the scary days, I’m not pretending they’re easy. I’m declaring that He’s still good. That He’s using every skipped beat to bring my soul into perfect time with His.