As I read the pages of Be Still and Trust, I was taken to a place of slowing down the pace of my busy and distracted day. Each devotion includes a scripture, a personal story from the author, and a reflection that invited me to be still and trust the Lord in my own life. Being someone who overthinks, I appreciate the opportunity to contemplate the Lord’s faithful presence in every circumstance in my life. Beautifully written and easy to understand and apply. I recommend this book as a gift to yourself or a friend.
Book Review: Be Still and Trust: 50 Devotions for Peace, Rest, and Renewal By Stacey Pardoe
Some books feel like a lecture, but Be Still and Trust feels like an invitation. Reading this tenderhearted and deeply resonating devotional doesn’t feel like sitting in a classroom; it feels like sitting on the porch on a quiet morning, sharing a warm cup of coffee with a close friend who just happens to know exactly what your soul needs. Stacey Pardoe writes with a vulnerability and transparency that breaks down walls immediately, making space for true rest.
The heart of the book tackles a dilemma we all face:
“Stillness. Our bodies crave it. Our minds long for it. Amid the frenetic pace of full schedules and countless commitments, the invitation to be still and rest with God resonates with our souls. Finding this space is not easy or simple. We are surrounded by distractions and needs, all competing for our attention, pulling us away from silence and stillness.”— Stacey
Rather than offering guilt-inducing checklists, Stacey offers a lifeline: 50 beautifully crafted devotions designed to help us establish a daily rhythm where resting in God becomes as natural and habitual as eating, drinking, and sleeping.
Key Themes
Establishing Holy Habits over Rigid Obligations: Shifting the mindset of quiet time from a daily chore to a life-giving refuge.
Finding Peace in Chaos: Navigating seasons of intense change, transition, and overwhelming emotions by shifting focus from circumstances to Christ.
The Pursuit of “Savoring” His Presence: Learning to recognize that God is always actively pursuing us, waiting for us to slow down enough to encounter Him.
Connecting Through Creation: Intentionally creating quiet windows to interface with God through the beauty and stillness of nature.
Exchanging Worry for Trust: Actively laying down our modern anxiety and deep-seated desire for control in exchange for an unshakeable anchor.
The Heart of the Book: Notable Quotes
Stacey’s transparency shines brightest when she addresses our beautifully imperfect attempts to find quietness:
“My friend, you don’t need to practice silence and solitude perfectly; you simply need to show up... Consider every wandering thought another opportunity to return your gaze to God all over again.”— Stacey
She gently reminds us where true, steady ground is actually found when life gets upended:
“I’m grasping for the circumstantial peace that’s tied to comfort and ease; meanwhile, Peace is a Person, and he has promised never to leave me.”— Stacey
Extra Highlights: Practical & Relatable
What makes this devotional stand out from others on the shelf is how incredibly practical it is for real, messy, modern lives. Pardoe openly shares her own struggles as a self-proclaimed “do-er” and list-maker, validating how difficult it is to quiet a racing mind.
The 50 daily entries are short and manageable, meaning they easily fit into a busy routine without adding to your mental overload. Each devotion acts as a gentle boundary against the daily battles trying to steal your peace, providing immediate, focused truth when you are facing your lowest moments or struggling to sense God’s presence.
Personal Recommendation
If your soul feels hurried, distracted, or stretched thin by the demands of a relentless schedule, I highly recommend Be Still and Trust. It is a beautiful, anchoring guide that doesn’t demand perfection—it simply meets you exactly where you are and leads you into a sacred space of restoration. Buy a copy, grab your favorite mug, head out to the porch, and let these words bring your heart back to a place of rest.
A Beautiful Devotional for Deeper Connection with God
Stacey Pardoe's new book: "Be Still and Trust: 50 Daily Devotions for Peace, Rest, and Renewal" is a beautifully written devotional that invites you to connect with God in new ways. With her usual vivid description of nature in her writing, to her heartfelt story telling from different seasons of her life, Stacey draws you in and gives you moments to pause and listen to what God is trying to tell you through each day's devotional.
I also love how the devotional points us to connect to God in simple ways, to encounter his presence in new ways, to find hope in hard seasons, while experiencing peace and rest for our souls as we seek God. She asks this on Day 37 - " How is your Pace?" and I love how she connects running as a sport with daily living. Her words: "Are you consistently running at leopard, deer, dog, or turtle speed? is a great question to ponder.
'Be Still and Trust' is a beautiful devotional that will encourage you in your relationship and walk with God. The devotions are short, easy to read, with insightful scriptures to ponder and reflections that will help you connect deeper with God and answer those questions lurking in your heart. It's a perfect gift for moms and anyone struggling with overwhelm.
Be Still and Trust by Stacey Pardoe is a beautifully written devotional that gently invites readers into a deeper place of peace, stillness, and trust in God through honest storytelling and faith-filled encouragement. Each devotion feels personal and relatable, blending Scripture, reflections on everyday life, and practical spiritual wisdom in a way that comforts and renews the soul. Pardoe’s vulnerability about motherhood, anxiety, disappointment, and learning to rest in God’s presence makes the book feel like a heartfelt conversation with a trusted friend. The devotional’s themes of surrender, healing, and spiritual renewal are woven together with vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection questions that encourage meaningful time with God. This is an uplifting and restorative read for anyone longing to slow down, reconnect with Christ, and experience His peace in the middle of life’s chaos.
There are very few devotionals where I want to highlight nearly every page, but Be Still and Trust was one of them. Stacey Pardoe beautifully reminds readers that spending time with God is not meant to become another task on our to-do list. It is an invitation to connect with Him, encounter His presence, and find true rest for our souls.
I loved the practical encouragement throughout this book—especially the reminders that it’s okay to change up our quiet-time routines, slow down, breathe deeply, and look for practices that help us genuinely connect with God. One of the most impactful insights for me was the encouragement to pay attention to what is life-giving when life feels overwhelming, as this can often point toward God’s direction.
These devotions are full of wisdom, grace, and powerful scripture. This book will encourage anyone desiring to draw closer to the Lord. I closed the final page feeling refreshed.
I really enjoyed this devotional each morning. I love the author's delightful writing style ... sweet, honest and conversational, like a dear friend who faithfully walks beside us each day to continually point us to Christ. This book encourages us to live with sweet faith and trust in our beautiful God. I love the author's previous books which also helped me to focus on God's goodness despite everyday fears, stressors and challenges.
God gave me "Still" as my word for 2026 and I've been seeking His heart on how to walk this out and this book truly was a blessing for me, leading me to gently be still in HIs presence each day. Thank you to the author, Stacey Pardoe, for being faithful to her calling to pen these beautiful words. As you read through this beautiful devo, you will have no doubt this auther has been in the presence of Jesus. Many blessings to you as you dive deep into this beautiful devotional ... 💕
A Powerful Companion Leading Us into God’s Presence
For everyone who is hungry for God’s presence and wants to connect with Him every day, this wonderful devotional book is a trusted companion leading the reader into the pursuit of healing, restoration, and rest. The devotions are short, easy to read, and written in a tender and compassionate way. Each devotion ends with a question for reflection that helps us put into practice the wisdom of the author. “Be Still and Trust” is a powerful guide for cultivating a lifestyle of drawing near to God and experiencing Him daily.
This is a truly great devotional. The reading for each day is the perfect length, not too long but long enough to walk away feeling refreshed. The reflection questions at the end help you think further and apply the reading to your own life and walk with the Lord. In a season where I am constantly on the go, the reminder to find peace and rest in the Lord is much needed. Be Still and Trust is a really inspiring book that would also make a perfect gift for a friend or loved one. I highly recommend it.
I love Stacey Pardoe’s “Invitation to Stillness” in her new devotional "Be Still and Trust: 50 Daily Devotions for Peace, Rest, and Renewal." First, the writing in the book comes alive with her vivid imagery as well as the depth of her personal stories, showing that no matter where we are in life, we can still trust God. He promises peace, rest, and renewal—we only have to be still enough to receive it. This is a perfect book for families and small groups, or to give as a gift.
This is another excellent book from the author. I enjoyed her nature metaphors, personal stories, and biblical applications. Her tone is humble, gentle, and encouraging. I highly recommend it as a good companion for your personal Bible study time.
Be Still and Trust offers a calm, grace-filled pause for anyone exhausted by the constant noise of life. Each devotion draws you closer to God with gentle insight, helping you slow your thoughts, steady your heart, and reconnect with what truly matters.