Hidden With Him – Week 1: Strengthened in the Secret Place Bible Study for Women
Finding Strength in Stillness
Welcome to Week 1 of the Good Morning Girls fall Bible study, Strengthened in the Secret Place! I’m so glad you’re here. This four-week journey invites us to slow down, quiet the noise, and find our strength not in striving—but in stillness with God.
This week’s theme, “Hidden With Him,” reminds us that before we can be strong outwardly, we must be grounded inwardly. Strength isn’t built in the spotlight; it’s formed in the secret place, where we meet with the Lord and learn to rest in His presence.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” These eight simple words hold the key to a deeper peace and steadier faith. In a world that prizes productivity, God calls us to something far more powerful, quiet trust.
When Life Feels Unsteady
Maybe you’ve had seasons where the ground beneath you felt shaky. Health concerns, family changes, financial pressure, or just the everyday weight of life. During those times, our natural response is to do more. Fix. Solve. Control.
But God’s invitation is different. He says, “Be still.”
Stillness doesn’t mean inaction, it means surrender. It’s a holy pause that allows our hearts to remember who He is and who we are in Him.
When we step away from the noise and dwell in His presence, we find that the strength we were striving for has been there all along, waiting to be renewed by His Spirit.
Hidden With Him
Psalm 91:1-2 paints a beautiful picture of intimacy with God:
“1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
To dwell means to stay, not visit occasionally. It’s choosing to make our home in God’s presence, not just stopping by when we’re weary. His shadow, His covering, is close enough to comfort and protect, but only when we draw near.
When we live hidden with Him, fear loses its grip and peace takes root. The storms may not stop, but our hearts learn to rest under His shelter, confident that our refuge is secure.
The Power of the Secret Place
Jesus said in Matthew 6:6,
“But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 NIV
In a culture that thrives on public displays of faith, Jesus calls us back to private communion. The strength that others see in you, the calm, the confidence, the kindness, flows from the unseen hours you spend in His presence.
Your “room” might be a quiet chair before dawn, a walk in the park, or whispered prayers at the kitchen sink. What matters is the heart posture, closing the door on distractions and opening your heart to God.
It’s in that secret place that transformation begins. There, He steadies your emotions, restores your joy, and strengthens your faith for whatever lies ahead.
Silence That Strengthens
In Exodus 14:14, as the Israelites faced the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, Moses said,
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
When fear rises, stillness feels impossible. But sometimes, silence is the most faith-filled thing we can offer.
Being silent doesn’t mean apathy, it means trusting God to move when we can’t see the way forward. It means believing that He’s working even when the outcome isn’t clear.
When we quiet our complaints and rest our words, we create space for His power to show up. Stillness becomes a statement of faith, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself.”
Waiting in the Quiet
Lamentations 3:25–26 says,
“25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25–26 NIV
Waiting rarely feels “good,” but Scripture tells us it is. Waiting refines our faith, deepens our patience, and aligns our hearts with God’s timing.
When we stop trying to rush His plan and instead rest in His promises, we discover peace even in uncertainty. The waiting becomes sacred because He meets us there with whispers of grace, comfort, and assurance that His goodness has not changed.
Practical Ways to Find Strength in the Secret Place
- Start Your Morning in Stillness – Before you check your phone or plan your day, spend five quiet minutes with God. Whisper His name and breathe in His peace.
- Create a Prayer Space – Find a spot where you can meet with God regularly—a chair, a corner, or a walk that becomes sacred ground.
- Meditate on a Key Verse – Write down Psalm 46:10 or Psalm 91:1–2 and read it aloud throughout the day.
- Shut Out Distractions – Turn off notifications, quiet your thoughts, and give God your full attention.
- Journal Your Prayers – Writing helps you slow down and see how God is working behind the scenes.
PIN ME FOR LATER!
Living Hidden, Strong, and Still
Friend, strength doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from dwelling more. As you walk through this first week of the Strengthened in the Secret Place Bible Study, may your heart find rest in His presence.
In the quiet, He reminds you that you are safe, seen, and deeply loved. You don’t have to strive to be strong, you simply need to stay close to the One who is your strength.
Let’s learn to live hidden with Him, strengthened by His Spirit, and steady in His peace.
A Prayer for the Secret Place
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for inviting me into the secret place where Your presence restores my soul. Teach me to be still, to listen, and to trust You when life feels overwhelming. Help me dwell in Your shelter and find peace beneath Your shadow. Replace my fear with faith and my striving with surrender. May my strength be found in quiet confidence that You are God, and You are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- Where do you find it hardest to slow down and be still before God?
- What does “dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty” mean to you personally?
- How might setting aside time in the secret place strengthen your faith this week?
- What distractions could you “shut the door” on to meet with God more intentionally?
- What is one area of your life you need to release and trust God to fight for you?
This Week’s Bible Reading Plan:
Here is an explanation of our SOAK Bible study method
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Have a wonderful week – I’ll see you back here on the blog this Wednesday during week 2 of our study: Rooted and Unshaken
Grace and peace,
Alicia
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