Great Women of Faith Series: Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911)

Written by Shelsea Becker

“You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more complex or difficult than these, that you need to be anxious or troubled about His management of it?”

Over 100 times in scripture we are asked to not be anxious. Oh, how we try!

We women like to think we’re in control. We plan, organize, and worry — as if the world might spin off its axis if we stop managing it. But our worrying doesn’t bring harmony from chaos; it just adds noise.

Hannah Whitall Smith reminds us: If we can trust God to hold the stars in place, why do we doubt His ability to handle our lives?

To write such words of surrender, Hannah lived them. Born in 1832, she was a Quaker, a Bible teacher, a wife, and a mother who endured deep personal losses. She buried several of her children, wrestled through seasons of doubt, and yet discovered a peace so unshakable that she spent her life teaching others about the “life of faith.” Her book, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, remains one of the most honest and hopeful guides on resting fully in God’s care.

In the book of Job, God asks a question that puts everything in perspective:

“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb… when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?” (Job 38:8,11 NIV)

I remember reading these passages of scripture in a sarcastic tone. God asked Job, if he (Job) was the one who told the sea where to stop, I believe the same question can be posed to us. That makes me squeeze my hind end a bit. Who do I believe God is and can I trust Him?

If He’s the One who tells the sea where to stop, surely He can handle our story.

Yet we still crave control. We want to know all the plans, understand every reason, and predict every outcome. But Scripture says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

Real faith begins where understanding ends.

Anxiety is often just control in disguise — our attempt to do God’s job for Him.

So today, take a deep breath. The same God who commands the oceans is not confused about your life. You don’t need to manage the universe. You just need to trust the One who does.