15 Habits of Rest that will Improve Your Life
Despite careful time management, productivity tools, and more multitasking, many of us have little or no margin. The stress of living in overdrive is so common that we often fail to recognize how tired we are at the soul level. Do you need to establish rhythms of life that can restore your soul and sustain your energy? Read on for a practical list of ideas to create habits of rest in your life.
Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.
– Charles Spurgeon
Did you know that there is such a thing as hurry sickness? A malady of this digital age, hurry sickness is “a continuous struggle and unremitting attempt to accomplish or achieve more and more things or participate in more and more events in less and less time.”[i]
Recognizing Our Need for Rhythms of Rest
Do we recognize the various ways stress and exhaustion seeps into our days? Physical rest is only one of many kinds of rest we need to live the quality of life God has designed.
There seems to be a disconnect between the reality of hours in a day and the continual drive to get more done. Sound familiar?
Does time manage you or do you manage time? This is an important question to ask ourselves. Share on X
Despite careful time management, productivity tools, and more multitasking, many of us have little or no margin. Defined as the gap between our load and our limits, margin helps us to pace our days.[ii]
Do you need margin in your schedule? Join the club–you’ve got plenty of company! One of the popular quotes from my book Holy in the Moment applies here:
“We all need time for our souls to breathe and our bodies to rest as chronic busyness is just a normal day in today’s world. Pressured by culture, we’ve swallowed the lie that a busy life is a fulfilling life. More is better, faster is sooner, as if frantic is the new holiness.” p. 78
The stress of living in overdrive is so common that we often fail to recognize how tired we are at the soul level. Friend, are you lacking the kind of rest that rejuvenates your soul? Stick with me for some practical ideas to create habits of rest in your life later in this post.
Jesus Invites Us to a Restful Way of Life
Creating sustainable rhythms for life takes intention. It is a challenge to steward our time and energy, as well as the mental and emotional resources of our soul. But oh, life is so much better when we do!
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites each of us to discover how He can teach us to live in rest and rest in life.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”
It’s interesting that Jesus uses the image of a yoke to talk about rest. After all, a yoke is an instrument for work as well as for training. The Message relates these verses in a way that speaks to all of life:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
The biblical meaning of the word rest has to do with ceasing from labor, recovering strength, choosing quiet, experiencing refreshment, and trusting God with calm and patient expectation. I could use more rest in my life, how about you?
With Jesus, rest can become a way of living that includes our work and effort. The spiritual meets the practical in organic ways that bring vitality to every area of life. Share on X
Rest and Work are Not Opposites
We often think of rest and work on the opposite ends of a spectrum. Rather than opposites, rest and work are two sides of the same coin. They are far more integrated than we realize.
Jesus invites us into both a relationship and a way of living that is connected, active, and present.
Do we experience Christ in this way or do we flock to this verse when energy is depleted and exhaustion sets in? Consider this wisdom from Chuck Swindoll:
In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him…that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him – totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence.– Chuck Swindoll
Regular patterns of rest sustain your attitude, energy, motivation, and well-being.
How is Jesus is inviting you to explore new rhythms of rest today?
Ideas to Create Habits of Rest to Improve Your Life
As you reflect on your need for rest, consider practices that can help you find patterns of rest and work that provide margin, connection, and refreshment on a regular basis. Think how much better you will feel when you are well rested. Which simple practices can you incorporate on a daily level? A weekly or monthly basis? Even yearly?
Need a little help getting started? Checkout these ideas to help you experience the restoration you long for. How could a few of these routines enable you to refresh and recover from daily work, life challenges, and needs of family?
Ask Jesus to show you practical ways to experience His rest for your soul. As you listen to Jesus, write any thoughts He brings to mind. Which of these actions could empower you to be a good steward of your time and energy?
15 Habits of Rest to Improve Your Life
- Go to bed in time to get enough sleep
- Connect with God in prayer throughout the day
- Read and meditate on God’s Word
- Eat regular meals to fuel your body
- Drink non-caffeinated beverages after 12pm
- Turn off screens (phone, TV, or computers) for 30 minutes before bed
- Pray before accepting invitations or commitments
- Take short breaks during the workday to relieve or prevent physical or mental strain
- Go outside for fresh air and sunlight
- Notice and appreciate beauty in nature, art, or music
- Build quiet into your day by turning off music, podcasts, and TV
- Practice deep breathing when you feel stressed
- Schedule times of rest as well as activity on your calendar
- Observe the Sabbath
- Make time for a “down day” to rest and do things you enjoy
The idea here is not burden you more obligations to cram into an already packed schedule. Consider which practices could help you experience physical, mental, or emotional rest on a regular basis. Which ones could give you a little room to breathe and make time for joy?
Start small with one or two practices you can work into your day or week. Which habits could best help you focus on what matters most, being fully present to God, others, and yourself?
You might be surprised what Jesus can do with 5-20 minutes when you follow His leading.
Over time, create your own list of rhythms of rest with Jesus—follow His leading as to what you most need in this season of life. Let Him teach you how to walk and work with Him in the unforced rhythms of grace that will restore your soul.
If you’d like additional ideas for getting more rest in your life, get the Habits of Rest Checklist that includes space to create your personal strategy.
“Let the life of Christ set you free from a rushing life that has no time for rest or the enjoyment of family, His creation, and most of all Him!—Michael Wells, Problems, God’s Presence & Prayer
What resonates with you most from this conversation?
*This post includes affiliate links for books I have quoted and recommend. There is no cost to you, but proceeds help cover the cost of running this website.
Grab the Habits of Rest Ebook
Make your personalized plan to get the rest you need with a printable version of this article + more habits + write in planner sheets. Are you ready to get your best rest for a happier and healthier you?
The Restore My Soul Series
- Why You Should Trust Jesus for the Rest You Need
- How Rest and Solitude Restore Your Soul After Stress and Loss
More on Rest and Soul Care
- What is Spiritual Rest and Why Do We Need It?
- Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
- Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
- Is Your Soul Out of Sync?
- Abide, Surrender, and Rest: Book Discussion Week 2
- Does Your Soul Talk Strengthen Your Faith?
- 10 Bible Verses for a Healthy Soul
Thrive in Your Soul with Holy Choices
A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back. Grow in holiness without the pressure to have everything “just right.” Through gentle encouragement, biblical insights, and applicable ideas you can experience a deeper life of freedom in Christ. Transparently sharing my own struggles, I want to help you live from the reality of hope, healing, and holiness.
*The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on gingerharrington.com are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Endnotes
[i] Comer, John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 46). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition, citing Meyer Friedman and Ray H. Rosenman, Type A Behavior and Your Heart (New York: Knopf, 1974), 33.
[ii] John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 46), quoting Richard A. Swenson, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2004), 69.
[iii] Michael Wells, Problems, God’s Presence, & Prayer (Littleton: Abiding Life Press, 1993) location 2, 154
Why You Should Trust Jesus for the Rest You Need
No one is immune to strain of long-term stress. The spiritual disciplines of rest and solitude are vital for renewing our strength and perspective. We love the idea of Jesus restoring our soul but often struggle to figure out how to get there. Psalm 23 reminds us that we can trust Jesus to help us rest in a way that restores our soul.
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say, “When it rains, it pours.” Maybe you’ve said something like that yourself. When hard times come one after another, the strain of long-term stress leaves us depleted.
Jesus understood that life holds many troubles that rob us of peace and well-being. Shortly before His arrest, He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33 NLT
It’s important to see that Jesus did not promise to take away every problem or solve every issue. Instead, He offers peace as well as the knowledge that He has overcome.
The distance between knowledge and experience is the deeper journey of faith. Though we love the idea of Jesus restoring our soul, we often struggle to feel rested and renewed.
Common Sources of Cumulative Stress
Many circumstances in life can create cumulative stress. Consider the following stressors that are common. How many of these have you experienced recently? (Not listed in any particular order).
- Death of a loved one
- Health issues
- Chronic pain
- Marriage issues
- Relational conflict
- Parenting challenges
- Caring for aging parents
- Difficult co-workers or bosses
- Financial challenges
- Job changes
- Relocations
- Big projects at work or home
- School work
- Struggles with anxiety or depression
- Unmet expectations
- Over-loaded schedules
Each challenge is taxing, but when we experience several stressors, the impact multiplies.
False Beliefs About Rest
Rest and solitude are spiritual disciplines that we often resist. This is a problem that has been around since the early days of the earth. At creation, God demonstrated the rhythm of rest and work.
The command to keep the Sabbath (a weekly day of rest to worship God) appears 172 times in the Bible. We humans refuse or neglect rest on a regular basis. Have you ever held one of these false beliefs about seeking rest in a meaningful way?
- I don’t deserve to rest until I finish my work.
- To rest before while there is work to be done is foolish or lazy.
- If I stop to rest, my work will never be finished.
- I’ll feel better tomorrow.
- I don’t really need to rest.
- I’ll rest when I retire.
Or the one that small children often gripe, “Naps are for babies!”
These false beliefs place all the responsibility on us to hold everything together.
To rest is to trust that the world won’t fall apart without our effort. In solitude and rest, God reminds us that it is not all about us and we are not alone.
Managing stress and making time to refresh our souls is vital to healthy living. Share on X
What false beliefs or fears make it hard for you to rest?
Trusting Jesus to Show Us How to Rest
Most people agree that long term stress isn’t a good thing. That’s pretty much a no brainer. Unmanaged stress can have negative consequences on our health.In my last post I wrote about the importance of recognizing signs of exhaustion.
But we struggle is finding workable solutions to rest. This was my thought process when God impressed on me the need to take time to rest.
At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. To be honest, giving myself permission to step back felt like skipping school.
I needed more than sleep but wasn’t exactly sure how to recover my equilibrium. While reflecting on Psalm 23:1-3, Jesus reminded me that He is my good shepherd. He knows what I need and how to go about it:
“The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.”
Isn’t it interesting to note the contrast between our culture of chronic busyness and the soul-restoring benefit of quiet stillness?
How to Get the Rest You Need
Cultivate sustainable rhythms of rest to get the rest your soul longs for. Recover your rest by building small habits to decrease stress and empower you to rest body, soul, and spirit. Don’t miss the free printable Habits of Rest ebook to help you create rhythms of rest in your life.
What Does Psalm 23 Teach Us About Rest?
What can we discover about solitude and rest in these verses?
- Recognize the truth that we can trust Jesus to be our shepherd.
- Believe that Jesus can and will provide what we need.
- “Lying down” points to our need for physical rest from activity, effort, and work.
- Jesus can show us how to find spiritual nourishment we need, even when the “grass” is sparse.
- Quiet waters evoke peace, safety, and relief from thirst.
- These are important ways that Jesus restores our soul.
- His guidance shows us the best way to live and the right choices to make.
In this passage the action is on the Lord’s part: He makes, leads, restores, and guides.
If the work is on Him, what is our role?
That’s an important question, isn’t it?
We need to “just be” sheep:
- Just allow ourselves to be guided.
- Just be willing to let ourselves rest.
- Just commit to follow His lead.
I know this doesn’t sound very exciting. But when our soul is weary, it’s just what we need.
Our role is to show up and trust Jesus to provide for our needs. For many of us it is hard to let go of control and our compulsive ways of trying to make things happen. Can you relate to this challenge?
The Process of Solitude for Spiritual Rest
Do you need to come away from the chaos into the quiet so you can just be. . .with Jesus?
I have spent much time in prayer, silence, and meditation in the past few months. Coming away has given me more time to listen to Jesus. I am following His lead. He shows me what my soul needs to grieve as I process many emotions and questions.
Spiritual rest happens as we sit with our fears, questions, confusion, and emotions in the presence of Jesus. As we let go of guilt or shame, we begin to release our compulsion to fix ourselves and our circumstances.
Our frayed nerves and churning emotions begin to relax and heal.
In solitude we work through our wrestling with God for things to be different. Share on X
In this sacred space, Jesus helps us accept life as it is, reminding us that He is always present.
Our striving souls rest when we embrace the truth God’s grace is always in play, even on our worst days.
For me, rest includes releasing my right to know, to understand why things happened the way they did. Solitude provides time to release my tears and receive comfort.
What Restoration Looks Like for Me in This Season
Restoring my soul has not been all Bible reading and other spiritual stuff.
Beyond the spiritual, restoring my soul includes making time for things I enjoy.
- Catching up with friends is refreshing.
- Celebrating the engagement of two of my children reminds me that joy is an important part of life.
- Focusing on nutrition and exercise is physically rejuvenating.
- Taking time to get my house organized relieves the stress of excessive clutter.
As I let Jesus direct my paths in this season, rest is sometimes active and sometimes not.
I continued my day job teaching water fitness at several local recreation centers, but I have taken a break from writing.
I relinquished demanding ministry work, taking a smaller role. Stepping away from social media for a while has given me space to settle and recharge.
Rest and recovery from long-term stress does not require everything to stop, but it is helpful if we can lighten our load for a period of time. Share on X
As Jesus restores my soul, it has been good to just be…
- just be a sister, grieving the loss of one who left too soon
- just be a disciple, beloved by Jesus
- just be a wife who loves her man
- just be a mom and a friend to my adult children
- just be a neighbor, in person and more present
- just be a reader rather than a writer.
- just be a homemaker, restoring order to my physical environment
Let me know if this resonates with you. Do you need rest that is so much more than “catching up” on sleep? Do you long for time with Jesus to restore your soul?
If so, what is stopping you?
What would it feel like to simply bring these things to Jesus and listen to what He has to say? Could you trust Him to help you find time and space to restore your soul with solitude and rest?
A Prayer to Restore My Soul
If you need a little inspiration, use the prayer below to get started. In my journal, I wrote a prayer for rest that I hope will inspire you as well:
Restore my soul, Lord.
I’m weary from stressful emotional and physical overload. Burdens weigh heavy on my heart, shifting to landscape of my soul. I feel the toll of stress that saps my strength.
I can’t fix myself and many circumstances I cannot change. I depend on Your help to recover and rest. Lead me to still waters, the Living Water of Your Spirit that accomplishes what I cannot do for myself.
Help me to release internal pressure that makes me uncomfortable about taking time for physical and spiritual rest.
You understand what I need right now. Please provide respite to refresh my energy. Help me to not just catch up, but to fill up with everything my soul needs.
You know the best way to renew my mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Inspire me with simple ideas for rest. Show me how to create space in my schedule.
Fill the gaps that I can’t cover right now. I release my concerns to Your loving care.
You are the
still water for my weary soul.
Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
If you would like a printable version of this prayer, click here.
Would you share this post with someone who is weary from a stressful season? This may be just the encouragement they need.
Grab this Checklist for More Habits of Rest
Experience the benefit of building small habits to decrease stress and empower you to rest body, soul, and spirit. After all, rest includes so much more than sleep. Don’t miss this practical ebook, Habits of Rest Checklist to help you make your personalized plan to get the rest you need.
Overcome the Things that Hold You Back
A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back. Grow in holiness without the pressure to have everything “just right.” Through gentle encouragement, biblical insights, and applicable ideas you can experience a deeper life of freedom in Christ. Transparently sharing my own struggles, I want to help you live from the reality of hope, healing, and holiness.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate link at no cost to you. Any books I recommend are resources I value and want to share.
Related Posts on Rest and Soul Care
- How Rest and Solitude Restore Your Soul After Stress and Loss
- Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
- 15 Habits of Rest to Improve Your Life
- What is Spiritual Rest and Why Do We Need It?
- Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
- Is Your Soul Out of Sync?
How Rest and Solitude Restore Your Soul After Stress or Loss
*Top 5 Post of 2022. Rest and solitude are vital to creating time and space for Jesus to restore our souls. When we experience extended stress, grieve deep losses, or face significant trials, we need to recognize the signs and impact of weariness and exhaustion. Discover the importance of making time to attend to mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. The benefits of intentional rest and solitude bring healing and refreshment, enabling us to move forward with fresh energy, deeper faith, and greater wisdom.
A special welcome to all who are weary. I offer you a very personal post with a few things I’m learning about recovering from a long season of stress, grief, and loss. I pray this post will help you find needed rest for your soul. This post resonated with thousands of readers, ranking in the front page of Google for rest and solitude.
I watched my younger sister take her last breath early on a cold November morning last year.
In August 2021, my younger sister was officially diagnosed with ALS, after experiencing muscle weakness since January. The progression of her disease was extremely quick, making each day a new challenge. It was like living in a puzzle with new problems to solve just as you figure out how to work around the last loss of strength.
A few months later, she could barely move and struggled to breathe. Death came as a merciful blessing as the Lord welcomed her into eternity, free from the pain of this life. Even in my grief, I knew this truth in the core of my being.
Somehow, Christ can give us the miraculous capacity to know devastating grief and deep joy in the same moment.
Caring for a loved one with ALS is beyond heart breaking. It demands a physical, emotional, and spiritual stamina like nothing I have ever encountered. In the challenge, I leaned in hard to Jesus and did whatever I could to help and support. God gave me strength I could not muster on my own.
Walking through the valley of the shadow of death with my sister was a brutal but sacred journey of love and grace.
And it was exhausting on every level, but the gift of being there as much as possible provides great comfort as I get used to life without her presence this side of heaven.
When We Need a Deeper Rest
In the complexity of our lives, we all have moments when we need to step out of the fray to catch our breath. For instance, after a hard day we look forward to relaxing in the evening. Bring on the Netflix! Sunday afternoons are perfect for napping, and vacation days are welcome respites on our yearly calendar.
When difficult days multiply into a longer journey, weariness seeps into our bones. Fatigue becomes part of us rather than something temporary we feel in the moment. Our feet keep moving, but our soul struggles to keep pace when circumstances stretch the limits of our capacity.
Oh yes friend, when our reserves are depleted over a long period of time it takes so much more than a good night’s sleep to feel rested. The cumulative effect of carrying a heavy burden impacts us more than we may realize. Unlike physical rest, soul rest is a gift from God.
After my sister died came funeral arrangements and the work of executing her estate. God enabled me to press through to do what needed to be done–thank goodness! I’m deeply grateful for the help of my husband, children, and dear friends who pitched in to lighten the load. Once her beautiful home was emptied and sold, God made it clear: Now is a recovery time to process and grieve in rest and solitude.
Have you ever experienced the weariness of long-term stress or great loss? How did God meet you in that difficult season?
Recognizing Signs that You Need Rest
This list is not exhaustive, but here are a few of the signs that I needed to make time for rest and solitude.
- The mess is overwhelming. Traveling 1-2 weeks each month made it difficult to keep up with life. As I came to the end of 10 trips in 12 months, my house was a cluttered wreck. After bringing home too many boxes from my sister’s, I avoided walking in my office as if the room might implode if I put one more thing in there.
- Decision fatigue. I had decision fatigue after nearly a year of going through mountains of paperwork and family memorabilia. When you just stand looking at an item, frozen with indecision again…it might be time for a rest.
- Mental fog. When I tried to catch up with writing work, my mental fog was so thick I couldn’t see through it to string words together in any coherent way. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to read anything I might have written in that state.
- Grieving loss of a loved one. Our experience with grief differs from person to person, but the emotions grief brings will not be squelched. Tears come with no notice and the ache in your soul presses in heavy.
- Shutting down. Part of my work involves regular engagement with social media. Even the thought of opening my phone to post something made me shut down. I didn’t want to even open instagram or facebook for months. Some people share all their hard things in the public forum of social media, but I realize I am a very private person when I am in the midst of difficult days.
- Disrupted sleep. There can be lots of reasons for insomnia, but my sleep patterns were restless. I often awoke a few hours after going to sleep. Sometimes, reading would help. Other times I would toss and turn most of the night.
- Distraction. When our challenges are consuming (and sometimes they are), it is hard to be fully present with God, others, and even ourselves. Focus can be hard to find when weariness saps our mental energy.
- Impact of physical health. Regular and healthy meals are often some of the first things to go when we are too busy to eat properly. We can experience the same loss of routine with exercise and physical strength. During this season, I had to cancel multiple doctor visits due to unexpected challenges that required my assistance. Now that life is settling down, I am catching up on check ups and routine evaluations.
- God seems distant. In the worst of my sister’s illness, God felt very present. I am grateful God gave me sustaining words of encouragement on a regular basis. As the task of caring for my sis became more physically demanding, I had little time or energy to have my “normal quiet times.” After her passing, grief clouded my felt-sense of God’s presence. For a time, I felt God was distant. I realize now that He was with me in my grief, giving space to feel what needs to be felt. I interpreted silence as absence, but that is not the case.
These are a few signs of weariness I experienced. Your experience may be different. The point is to recognize the impact exhaustion has on your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. As we see our need, we are more ready to make time for rest and solitude.
Jesus Invites Us to Rest and Solitude
In Mark 6, Jesus sends the twelve disciples out in pairs for ministry. Here’s a peek at what they experienced in an intense time of ministering:
“They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.”—Mark 6:12-13 MSG
Can you imagine the excitement, energy, and challenges they faced? In the next section of Mark 6 we read about the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist. Consider the level stress and grief Jesus and the disciples must have felt.
After a busy time of ministry Jesus said to his disciples “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.”—Mark 6:31 NASB
Some kinds of rest cannot happen in the busyness and chaos of life.
Jesus understood the importance of stepping away from crowds and all the doing. This crew had been so busy, they hadn’t even had time to eat.
A coming-away kind of rest is more than snatching a few moments squeezed in before the next meeting or the family gets home.
Reading the remainder of Mark 6, we learn that coming-away involved traveling by boat to another place. As it turned out, the boat ride was the only rest they got. The crowds followed them to the other side. Maybe the disciples would have preferred to have more time before the needs of others crowded into a time for rest. I’ve certainly felt that way when my rest is interrupted, haven’t you?
It was enough.
Having compassion on the people, Jesus ministered to them. At the end of the day, all were hungry and tired. Consider the timing as Jesus feed 5000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.
Not enough food. Not by a long shot.
The need was tremendous. The lack was far greater than the available supply.
Don’t you just love the heart of Jesus? In a miracle of multiplication, what they had was more than enough.
Maybe there is an application for rest hidden in this part of the story. Maybe not. But one thing is true–Jesus can redeem our not-enough, providing more than we have and more than we need. #rest #soulcare Share on X
Be encouraged with another beautiful truth in this part of the story: Compassionate Jesus is never too weary to meet us in our need. For the remainder of this post, I’m going to focus on Jesus’ invitation to “come away to a secluded place to rest.”
The Benefit of Solitude to Help Us Rest
Solitude is defined as “the state or situation of being alone.” Merely being alone is not a cure-all for restoring our souls, though it is helpful.
In this passage, I think Jesus has something deeper and more restorative than simply being alone physically. Coming away is a purposeful action, whether physically or mentally. Solitude can happen on a back porch, on a walk, or in a local park.
Coming away may involve going a different place, but it can also include changing schedules or lightening responsibilities.
The invitation to come way for respite involves rest that meets the needs of the moment–the needs Jesus understands far better than we do (Matthew 11:28-30).
In the Bible, the word for secluded is also translated as desolate, desert, wilderness or solitary. Interestingly, Jesus can redeem our desert places–the wastelands of the worst of our experiences. In this case, coming away to a secluded place opens the door to rest…and restoration.
True Spiritual Rest Happens When We Get Alone with Jesus
In order to make this easy to remember, let’s boil it down to three simple ingredients for rest after a season of intense ministry. I believe these same elements are also key in recovering from seasons of stress, major projects, loss, or trials.
- Come away.
- By yourself.
- With Jesus.
We often hit one or two of these steps, but our best rest happens when we incorporate all three elements.
Rest and Solitude Create Space to Attend to Our Souls
No matter the cause of busyness or stress, the call of urgent matters demand immediate attention and our soul needs take a back seat. Again. And again.
In our fast-paced culture we make daily sacrifices at the shrine of productivity, one of the idols of this digital age. In the thrum of activity, overloaded schedules, and countless commitments, rest often feels uncomfortable.
Solitude seems strangely unfamiliar. Solitude and rest feel like luxuries we can’t afford in the currency of efficiency.
Solitude and rest are for the soul what nutrition and oxygen are for the body. Share on X
They are necessary practices to sustain the life of a healthy soul. Would we stop eating because we feel like it is a wasteful indulgence? Would we stop breathing because we think we don’t have enough time to spare? You get my point, right?
Solitude helps us to commune with Christ in a soul-restoring way.
With Jesus–this is the most important secret to restoring our souls.
When Christ is in our solitude and rest, there is mental, spiritual, and emotional space for God to work. In the quiet, God often shows us truths we easily miss in the pressure of the trials we face. We can lay down our burdens (1 Peter 5:7). His Word ministers to our needy soul.
“My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.”–Psalm 119: 25
Through His Spirit, God does what we cannot accomplish on our own to create inner harmony in the deep places we cannot reach.
God gave me these words on rest in Holy in the Moment:
“Healing for sin’s disease, respite for weariness, mercy for every need—rest is experiencing the restoration of God’s work in our lives, making us holy and whole. Rest is knowing our deepest needs are met in Christ: we are loved, forgiven, and accepted. It is finding our adequacy and confidence in Him.”
Commit to Make time for Rest and Solitude
If you find yourself frayed and ragged with weariness, would you commit to make time to rest with Jesus? Offer your willingness to come away, to seek solitude, and trust Him to provide.
Even if you do not have large blocks of time, try to incorporate time to be with God as often as you can for period of time. Could you let go of a few activities or delegate a responsibility or two? Ask your family to help you to create time to rest.
How long will it take?
I cannot say.
There is no set rule or formula.
But this I know: when you enter the resting place with Jesus, you can trust Him to restore your soul.
Do you sense the invitation of Jesus to come away to rest? What would it take to make time for rest and solitude in your life? I’d love for you to share how you make time for rest in your life in the comments below.
Listen to the Habits of Hope Podcast
Build rhythms of daily life that strengthen your faith and bring you closer to God. Habits of Hope is your guide for developing spiritual habits that nurture your soul and deepen your connection with God. Hosted by Ginger Harrington and co-host Larissa Traquair, each episode explores how small, consistent choices can lead to significant spiritual growth.
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Related Posts on Rest and Soul Care
- What is Spiritual Rest and Why Do We Need It?
- Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
- Is Your Soul Out of Sync?
- Abide, Surrender, and Rest: Book Discussion Week 2
- Does Your Soul Talk Strengthen Your Faith?
- 10 Bible Verses for a Healthy Soul
- How to Care for Your Soul: Best Tips from 13 Christian Bloggers
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Gratitude Matters: 10 Truths and Tips for a Grateful Life
Do you believe gratitude is a worthy goal? Discover how much gratitude matters with 10 tips and truths to cultivate grateful life. Though we celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday, filled with feasting, family, and friends, giving thanks is an everyday grace for bringing the sacred into any moment. On the spiritual side, gratefulness is more than an attitude. It can also become holy habit that draws us closer to God, strengthens faith, and brings freedom from worry. Don’t miss the free Gratitude Journal at the end of this post.
Truths about gratitude make a powerful difference in your life.
Gratitude matters. It makes a difference every single day.
Thankfulness reminds us of the many blessings that come from God’s good presence in our lives. Embrace these truths for a grateful life.
1. Gratitude is an everyday grace.
Holiday’s are important, but gratitude and thanksgiving are an important daily practice connected to our relationship with Christ. Paul instructs believers to give thanks in everything we do and say:
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17 ESV).
In everything, doesn’t that indicate gratitude is an everyday thing?
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#gratitude #thanksgiving”]The grateful soul is one that has learned to give thanks as naturally as breathing.[/tweetthis]
2. Gratitude is a choice.
God gives us the gift of gratitude to help us not take our blessings for granted. In the trials of life, gratitude empowers us to continue to trust God as we remember His faithful gifts of the past.
How do we love God more than the things that bring us the most delight and pleasure in life? When we remember that every good gift is from our Father, let the gift draw your attention and gratitude to God.
Let your gifts and blessings become windows to see God’s heart for you. Gratitude is inseparable from love. Count your blessings each day, whether mentally or on paper.
3. Gratitude is a gift.
God gives us the gift of gratitude to help us not take our blessings for granted. In the trials of life, gratitude empowers us to continue to trust God as we remember His faithful gifts of the past.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#gratitude #thanksgiving”]Practicing gratitude is a simple, holy habit of loving God. [/tweetthis]
4. Gratitude opens the door to peace.
On our best days and even on our worst, thankfulness matters. An integral part of prayer, giving thanks opens the door to experiencing God’s peace.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
No matter the need or the request, let’s learn the holy habit of saturating our prayers with thanksgiving!
5. Gratitude is the foundation of joy.
Gratitude, contentment, and joy are some of life’s sweetest blessings. Where we find one, we often experience the others as well. A grateful life is also a joyful life. What fills you with joy today?
Tips for a Grateful Life
Building holy habits and making grateful moments doesn’t just happen. It takes intention and practice. When is the last time you started your day in a good mood and all it took was one thing going wrong to plummet your good vibes to negative thinking?
Thank God for who He is, not only for what He gives.
Let every gift, each blessing, large or small, become a reminder of the magnificence of God. Stretch your heart to look beyond the gift to the wonder of the Giver.
When our gratitude is dependent on the gift, we develop a consumer mindset toward God. In A Godward Life, John Piper writes, “God is not glorified if the foundation of our gratitude is the worth of the gift and not the excellence of the Giver.”(214)
Enter God’s presence with gratitude.
Thank God for something specific every time you enter into his presence through prayer. We need to be specific when giving thanks – this keeps us focused and personalizes it beyond a rote practice. King David, writer of many psalms, instructs us that thankfulness is the appropriate attire of the heart.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good… (Psalm 100: 4-5a, NASB).
Challenge yourself to give thanks in every circumstance.
It takes resilient faith to look for something to thank God for in the midst of hard times. We may not be thankful FOR everything that happens, but we can, at the least, be thankful for God’s promises that apply even ON our most difficult days.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)
If we really look for something everyday to be thankful for, we will find it. This will create a habit of thanksgiving that is fundamental part of a joyful life.
Express gratitude by giving to others.
Because God has loved us, we can freely love others. In Christ, we are full and complete, so we have grace and mercy to extend to others. God has forgiven us, so we can forgive others. Forgiving someone releases us from the burden of resentment and anger.
The sacred habit of gratitude is one way the Holy Spirit works in our lives to teach us how to live God’s way. Holiness on the inside, changes the way we live, making a practical difference in our days.
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7 NASB)
Write down what you are thankful for as part of your daily Quiet Time.
If we really look for something every day to be thankful for, we will find it. This will create a habit of thanksgiving with the end result being contentment. Gratitude and contentment are the foundation of joy. If you keep a journal or Quite Time notebook, keep an ongoing gratitude list. You can also keep a gratitude journal, a specific journal or notebook solely for the purpose of recording all the things you are grateful for.
If you’d like help getting started with this, be sure to sign up for my free Grateful Moments Workbook at the end of this post. It is one of my most popular resources in my Subscriber Library of premium content for my newsletter community.
Express gratitude by giving to others.
Because God has loved us, we can freely love others. In Christ, we are full and complete, so we have grace and mercy to extend to others. God has forgiven us, so we can forgive others. Forgiving someone releases us from the burden of resentment and anger.
The sacred habit of gratitude is one way the Holy Spirit works in our lives to teach us how to live God’s way. Holiness on the inside, changes the way we live, making a practical difference in our days.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:6-7 NASB).
Cultivating a grateful heart takes time and intention that is worth our every effort. As thankfulness becomes a holy habit and a natural part of your day, you will experience a deeper life with God. Are you ready to discover how gratitude can change your life? Let’s start today!
More posts on gratitude and thanksgiving:
- Pondering Gratitude
- Thanksgiving is More than a Holiday
- Preparing for Thanksgiving from My House to Yours
Download Your Free Gratitude Challenge Journal
Challenge yourself to apply the tips in this post with your free gratitude journal. 30 days of prompts and encouragement to cultivate a more grateful heart. Join thousands of readers who have benefitted from this simple resource. Download and print your copy today!
P. S. I’d be so grateful if you pin one of the graphics from this post. Enjoy and thanks for sharing!
Best Reasons and Quotes to Honor Memorial Day from a Military Spouse
We owe a debt we can never repay to the brave men and women who have paved the way to the freedom with their lives. As we remember ultimate sacrifice of our nation’s fallen, may we also remember the many levels of sacrifice of our nation’s military and their families. As a military spouse, Memorial Day is a deeply personal and meaningful day of great importance for me. Consider the many stresses and sacrifices of our nation’s military and the families who love them as I share a few of my favorite quotes to honor Memorial Day.
My husband served twenty-four years in the Marine Corps. When we were dating, I had no idea the direction God would take us in the future. I remember the day Mark nonchalantly asked, “Did I ever tell you I want to fly jets for the Marine Corps?”
As if you ask a question like that any old day. . .
“Um. . . ” Long silence. “No, you’ve never mentioned it,” I said once words would come out of my mouth. Good thing there was a door on the car because I could have fallen out of my seat.
I was not expecting that. I never planned to be a military spouse. You can read the whole story in this post.
Time passed and like scores of women before me, I said, “I do,” committing my life to a handsome, brave young man in a military uniform. From. our wedding day until he retired after twenty-four years of service I tucked away a fear for my husband’s safety. The knowledge that he could lose his life in this dangerous profession buzzed a low-level static in my heart.
Military life holds many kinds of sacrifice for military families.
There are many kinds of challenges and levels of sacrifice for warriors and their families. Some are temporary, while others entail permanent losses. As we remember the sacrifice of those who have given their lives to defend our nation, we are also grateful for the willingness of every service member to offer the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. Commitment, courage, and patriotism, and honor run deep in the veins of our military.
The sacrifice of a mobile life-style.
The stress of frequent moves and loss of support systems is hard for most military spouses, particularly ones who have never lived far from home. Changing schools and neighborhoods can be hard on children. One of our girls was in 5 different schools in 5 years. That’s a lot of transition for a teenaged girl. I struggled with severe anxiety in many of our moves. I tell that story in the first chapter of my book you can read here.
The sacrifice of separations and deployments.
Another challenge military families face is the operational tempo of repeated deployments and training exercises. Cycles of in an out over long periods of time are difficult for marriages and families. Many military spouses struggle with feelings of anxiety and depression, as fear, isolation, and loneliness become all too familiar. When service members serve in dangerous locations, daily serving our nation in harm’s way, the level of anxiety rises.
The challenge for military marriages.
Military life is hard on couples.
“She knew what she was getting into when she married a military man.”
I’ve heard this callous comment many times. This kind of off-hand comment is unfair to both service members and their spouses. Few couples know what the reality of military life will entail and every couple’s experience is different.
To brush off the hardships service members and families face because they “knew what they were signing up for,” is thoughtless and ungrateful.
The threat of invisible wounds.
An unseen hardship that many military members face includes PTSD from combat casualties and extended exposure to traumatic events. Though many strides have been made to diagnose and treat PTSD, there is still some level of stigma that prevents too many service members from reaching out for help.
Health risks of serving in the military.
Physical wounds from combat and training exercises are a very real danger for every service member. Lives are forever changed when warriors come home wounded. Every military family knows this is a possibility when warriors serve in harms way. We try our best not to worry about it, but the risk is a sacrifice for those who serve in our nation’s military.
Long-term impact on health is another sacrifice of many military members. We have several friends who did not lose their service member to combat, but lost them to cancer or neurological issues due to exposure to toxins. This is a more difficult statistic to track, but it is another challenge many veterans face.
According to DAV, a nonprofit organization supporting veterans, military members are at risk for injury or illness from exposure to toxins including, Agent Orange, Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit, Depleted Uranium Follow-up, Gulf War, Ionizing Radiation and Toxic Embedded Fragments. Toxic drinking water and side-effects of vaccinations are additional threats to the health and well-being of some military members.
Serving our nation with honor, commitment, and bravery, both service members and their families face higher than normal rates of divorce and suicide. Nate Howland, director of a suicide watch agency stated, “We lose over 6,000 US military veterans to suicide each year. And in context, we’re losing veterans at a rate of one and a half to two times higher than civilians.”
Awareness of the many sacrifices and stresses. of military life help us to have an even deeper respect and gratitude for every fallen warrior. We grieve with the families who mourn the loss of loved ones.
As you enjoy Memorial Day this year, consider these powerful quotes that express the value of what these brave men, women, and families have sacrificed.
10 Favorite Quotes to Remember on Memorial Day
- “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”- General Douglas MacArthur
- “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”- Norman Schwarzkopf
- “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”- Elmer Davis
- “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”- Jeff Miller
- “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”- John F. Kennedy
- “If you want to thank a soldier, be the kind of American worth fighting for.” – Unknown
- “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”- Ronald Reagan
- “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” –Unknown
- “Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.”—Wallace Bruce
This Memorial Day we remember the fallen, paying honor to veterans who have sacrificed their lives protecting our nation. This is a debt to both service members and the families who love them that we cannot repay. I hope that sharing these quotes alongside the many sacrifices of service members and families will inspire a deeper appreciation for all who serve in our nation’s military.
“May we never forget freedom isn’t free.”- Unknown.
Strength to Thrive in Military Life
In 2014 a few military wives and veterans came together with a vision and a God-sized “What if?” A founding member of Planting Roots: Strength to Thrive in Military Life, I have directed publishing and speak at conferences throughout the US. With a volunteer staff of over 40, Planting Roots, offers a community FB page, online content, printed Bible studies, the Deeply Rooted podcast, and live and virtual conferences–CA, KS, TX, TN, VA, GA, AZ, Germany and counting. Planting Roots Bible studies are in the hands of thousands of women in the military community. Check out our books on my resource page. It’s astonishing to see what God is doing with a single “What if?”
Website: PlantingRoots.net
Facebook: Planting Roots: Military Women & Wives
32 Best Quotes to Celebrate Dad on Father’s Day
No dad is perfect, but every dad is important. To be a godly father is one of the greatest aspirations and hardest challenges a man will face. On the good days as well as the hard ones, a father can make a powerful difference in the life of a child. In reality, the art of fathering is seldom taught, but best learned through example. The impact of a father’s legacy shapes generations. Get ready for Father’s Day with these inspiring quotes honoring the importance of fatherhood.
I remember the days when my young son wanted to be just like his dad. Caleb loved to slip his toddler feet into my husband’s “big-heavy” shoes, following him around the house. I can only imagine how big those shoes must have felt as he trudged from one room to the next.
Grass mowing day was a favorite time for father and son. When my husband mowed the grass, my son loved to help with his Fisher-Price pop-pop mower. Whatever my husband did, my son wanted to do as well.
“Big boy, come on, let’s go fix the porch,” my husband would say. Caleb would grab his little tool box and work alongside enjoying the time with his dad. I still chuckle about the time we Introduced our son to new friends, “This is our son, Caleb.”
Caleb piped up immediately “No, my name is Big Boy!”
I love that my husband knew just how to make our son feel special. As the years passed and we had two more children, I have watched my husband work hard, pray faithfully, and love well as he gives his all to our family. I am honored and proud to be his wife and I’m grateful for all that he does for our family. That’s why so many of these quotes warmed my heart. I have seen the truth and importance of them lived out over the past 29 years of family life.
The Value of Good Fathers
There’s so much truth to the famous sentiment that a father is a son’s first hero and a daughters first love. The value of a good father cannot be counted and is often overlooked. You can read the testimony about my father in the post A Father’s Legacy or listen to my Father’s Day Sermon honoring fathers at the end of the father’s legacy post.
This Father’s Day, celebrate the fathers in your life with quotes to inspire and appreciate the blessing of father’s who love their families well.
32 Meaningful Quotes to Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day
- “Of all the gifts a dad can give his kid, maybe the best one of all is a good example to follow.” –Joey Benevento
- “I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” –Umberto Eco, Foucault’s Pendulum
- “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” —Sigmund Freud
- “A father’s smile has been known to light up a child’s entire day.” —Susan Gale
- “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” –Billy Graham
- “The nature of impending fatherhood is that you are doing something that you’re unqualified to do, and then you become qualified while doing it.” –John Green
- “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” –Theodore Hesburgh
- “Being a father is the most important role I will ever play and if I don’t do this well, no other thing I do really matters.” –Michael Josephson
- “Every father should remember one day his son will follow his example, not his advice.” –Charles Kettering
- “The imprint of a father remains forever on the life of the child.” —Roy Lessin
- “No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.” –Abraham Lincoln
- “The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.” –Antoine François Manon Lescaut
- “Father: Respected for his wisdom. Appreciated for his strength. Admired for his love.” –Barbara Loots
- “The impression made by a father’s voice can set in motion an entire trend of life.” –Gordon MacDonald
- “Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” –Reed Markham
- “There’s no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it.” –George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
- “As old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.” –Gloria Nayler
- “The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children when no one is looking.” —Dan Pearce
- “Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.” Frank Pittman
- “A man’s worth is measured by how he parents his children. What he gives them, what he keeps away from them, the lessons he teaches and the lessons he allows them to learn on their own.” —Lisa Rogers
- “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” Tim Russert
- “A girl’s first true love is her father.” —Marisol Santiago
- “It is a wise father that knows his own child.” —William Shakespeare
- “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end.” –George Strait
- “Being a good dad starts with being a good man.” —Paul Treacy
- “The greatest thing a father can do for his children is love their mother.” —Anjaneth Garcia Untalan
- “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give another person, he believed in me.” –Jim Valvano
- “My daddy, he was somewhere between God and John Wayne.” –Hank Williams, Jr.
- “A father’s love is forever imprinted on his child’s heart.” –Jennifer Williamson
- “A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.” Unknown
- “Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers and singers of song.” —Unknown
- “A dad is his son’s first hero.” —Unknown
As you celebrate the father’s in your life, let them know how much they mean to you. Tuck one of these quotes into a card to let them know how much you care. Which one of these quotes is most meaningful to you?
Show Dad how much he means to you with inspiring quotes for Father's Day. #fatherhoodquotes #dadquotes Share on X
More on A Father’s Legacy
Fathers have the capacity to leave a powerful legacy for their children and the generations to come. The greatest thing that we can do beyond loving and appreciating the fathers in our lives is to pray for them. A loving and wise father makes a powerful difference in a child’s life. Everyday can be a day of gratitude for the blessing of dads in our lives.
Discover the Practical Power of Your Choices
A deeper, healthier life in Christ happens in the choices we make in the moment. Learn practical ways to live with freedom and joy to overcome perfectionism, anxiety, insecurity, self-righteousness, and negative attitudes. Are you ready to discover the difference your choices can make? (Includes a parenting chapter.)
Read the book and join the FB Holy in the Moment Community to make the most of your one holy life!Learn more about the award-winning book from Ginger Harrington. Intentional choices to trust God in the moment will change the way you live. *Contains an affiliate link at no cost to you.
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10 Practical Prompts for Listening to Jesus in Bible Reading
Will Jesus speak to me? Do you long to develop confidence that Jesus will speak to you in a personal way as you read God’s Word? God speaks in many ways, but the Bible tells us that in these days He has spoken to us in His Son (Hebrews 11:1). In this post I’m sharing practical prompts that helped me learn to listen as I meditate on a Scripture passage. Don’t miss some of my best tips for cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ through my new Spiritual Growth Pack of tip sheets, truths, and prayers.
We All Face Struggles with Hearing God
Do you believe that Jesus will speak to you personally when you read the Bible? In theory, we know that the Bible is God’s Word, but on a practical level it can be confusing to learn how to hear God speaking as we reflect on Scripture. Unlike the conversations we have with people, spiritual listening is usually inaudible, coming to us through insight and revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Making time for God in a busy life challenges us in every season of our spiritual lives. Overcoming distraction and developing spiritual attention are two more challenges we encounter when listening to Jesus. Reading His Word, our eyes move across the page, but we may struggle to connect with God through the text. Can you relate?
Hearing Jesus is Not Just for the Spiritual Experts
When I began to pursue a deeper relationship with God, I wondered if there was a secret formula for hearing God. It felt like a special club for the spiritual elite—the ones who read the Bible every day, never struggled with worry, and hardly ever sinned. Was hearing Jesus only for the “perfect people”? Have you been wondering how to grow closer to God?
Learning to listen to Jesus ignites spiritual growth and deeps our relationship with God. Years ago, a mentor helped me understand that listening to Jesus is easier when we come with the faith and expectancy that He will speak to us through His Word.
Faith is a key ingredient for opening ourselves to the words of Jesus. #listeningtojesus #hearinggod Share on X
Remember when God spoke from the heavens, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)? God was direct about the importance of listening to Jesus. Jesus spoke then and He still speaks now.
Listening to Jesus is More Than a Skill
More than a skill to develop, learning to hear from Jesus is a relationship to pursue. We know that good relationships are built over time. Somehow we forget this truth when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. A regular Quiet time or devotional practice helps us recognize when Jesus is bringing something to our awareness.
“The simplicity of a regular devotional time with God is a training ground where we listen, learn, and obey God” (Holy in the Moment). #listeningtogod #quiettime Share on X
With practice, we begin to notice the difference between God and other voices because of the truth, content, wisdom, and clarity of the thought as we reflect on the Word. When Jesus speaks it always is consistent with the Bible and with the character of God. Meditating on God’s Word is a form of listening that deepens our relationship with God.
In Holy in the Moment, I wrote a chapter called “Moments to Listen to God”. Here’s a snippet of what it means to meditate: “Meditating on God’s Word blends Bible reading, listening, and abiding together in a sacred conversation with God. Meditation simply means to attentively practice, be diligent in, to ponder or imagine. As we ponder the truth, the Spirit opens the Scriptures to our listening hearts”.
This sounds great in theory, but how do we get there?
‘“The sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 14: 3-4).
It’s important to trust that the Holy Spirit will enable you to recognize Jesus’ voice in your heart. One of the roles of the Spirit is to reveal the words of Jesus:
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you” (John 16:13-14).
Practical Help for Listening to Jesus Speak Through Scripture
Is there practical help for hearing Jesus speak through Scripture? Here is a list of questions, or prompts that helped me begin to discern when I’m hearing from God. I’ve seen this list in various forms and places, so I don’t know the original source. A friend gave me this list thirty years ago. I still use it today.
At first, I read the list every time I asked God to speak through His Word. I’d open my Bible with the list in front of me.to prepare my mind. Over time, the concepts on this list have become an organic part of my Bible reading as I trust the Holy Spirit to open my ears to God’s voice.
Questions become listening tools to begin our conversation with God, helping us to focus and listen. Think of these prompts as conversation starters as you read and reflect on the Biblical passage you read each day.
10 Questions to Help Listen to Jesus When You Read the Bible
Is Jesus speaking to me about…
- A new thought about God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit?
- A promise to claim?
- A command to obey?
- A sin to forsake?
- An example to follow?
- An instruction to practice?
- An error to avoid?
- A choice to make?
- A question to explore?
- A topic to pray about?
Like this? Get twenty additional prompts in my new Spiritual Growth Pack (details at the end of this post).
How to Use the Prompts to Listen to Jesus
Try these simple steps to discern the voice of Jesus.
- Ask Jesus to speak to you as you read and reflect on a passage from the Bible.
- Review the questions quickly before or after reading a passage in the Bible.
- Read the passage a second time and pay attention to what stands out to you.
- Reflect on the prompt that applies to the content that resonates with you. “What do you want me to understand about this?” is a great question to pray.
- Write thoughts, questions, or observations come to mind as you talk with Jesus through praying about the passage.
- Share your response with Jesus in prayer or in your journal.
- Ask Jesus to show you how to apply what you’ve learned.
Do the Listening Prompts Apply to Different Parts of the Bible?
These simple questions help us listen and learn from the Bible’s many forms of writing. You can have God conversations about any book of the Bible. Not every prompt will apply to every verse in the Bible, but they can train us to notice important details and truths in the text. Here are a sample of types of content found in various books of the Bible (this list is not exhaustive).
- In historical accounts we discover examples, principles, and commands.
- The prophetic books demonstrate the sovereignty of God as His heart, plans, and purposes are revealed.
- The Psalms help us to connect with God as well as offer examples of prayer and praise.
- The Gospels fill our ears with the actual words of Jesus that include instruction, teaching, encouragement, invitation, as well as correction and rebuke.
- The Epistles offer instruction, promises, principles, and examples.
At the heart of it all, the Bible is a love story of God’s desire for relationship with His people. And my friend, that includes you. He is a God who speaks.
He is a God who speaks to you.
What helps you listen to Jesus? I’d love to know what practices are meaningful to you. Leave a comment and share your thoughts. Share this post on social media to share this practical resource!
Get More Practical Tips in the Spiritual Growth Pack
Want more practical ideas to go deeper with Jesus? I’ve just put together a Spiritual Growth Pack of tip sheets to help you cultivate a deeper life with God. This power pack is filled with ideas, prayers, and truths to help you thrive in your relationship with God, no fluff and no dilly-dallying around. Print the resource sheets to incorporate into your spiritual practices as you depend on the Holy Spirit to help you.
- Simple Ways to Cultivate a Deeper Life with God
- 30 Ways to Listen to Jesus (expanded list from this post)
- 15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction and Focus on God
- 10 Perspective Shifts to Free Your Heart from Fear
- Prayer to Put On the Armor of God
- Prayer for Making Decisions
- 4 Biblical Ways to Peace in Decision Making
Related Posts to Help You Listen to Jesus
- Six Short Devotions to Help You Listen to Jesus + printable version
- When You Long for God to Speak to You
- Simple Ways to Meditate on God’s Word
- 8 Powerful Ways to Connect with God When He Is Silent
- Ignite Your Faith with Simple Truths for Listening to God
- Do You Struggle with Listening to God?
- 10 Benefits of Reviewing What We Learn from God
- Simple Ways Silence Can Deepen Your Faith
- Discover Six Important Truths About Listening to Go
Enjoy More Help for Listening to God in Holy in the Moment
A deeper, healthier life in Christ happens in the choices we make in the moment. Learn practical ways to live with freedom and joy to overcome perfectionism, anxiety, insecurity, self-righteousness, and negative attitudes. Chapter 8 is filled with more help for listening to God. Are you ready to discover the difference your choices can make? 
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Read the book and join the FB Holy in he Moment Community to make the most of your one holy life! Learn more about the award-winning book from Ginger Harrington. Intentional choices to trust God in the moment will change the way you live.
Free Resources for a Deeper Relationship with God
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The Easter Collection: Best Devotions to Celebrate Lent and Easter
A curated collection of top Easter inspiration from award-winning author, Ginger Harrington. These popular devotions for women provide fresh inspiration to focus on the power of what Christ has done for us by dying on the cross. Gain new insights on power of the resurrection and what it means for us. Enjoy a variety of free printable resources in several of the posts.
40 Days of Holy Moments for Lent
A Social Media Series to encourage you to focus on what Christ has to say to you through Scripture with a daily series throughout Lent. Each day features a graphic or personal photo as well as a Scripture, short devotion, and prompt for listening to Jesus. The entire series is available on both Instagram and Facebook. I’d love for you to follow and engage with me in these places! 
Catch the series on Instagram: #40daysofholymomentsforlent.
The Facebook series is here: #40daysofholymomentsforlent
Best Easter Devotions on the Blog
I’ve been blogging since 2009. Wow, time flies! Over the years I’ve written a lot of Easter related content. Enjoy this curated collection of my most popular Easter devotions for Christian women. This is a great post to save and to share with a friend! Click the title or the image of each post to read more.
4 Worshipful Ways to Remember the Resurrection Every Day
In a busy life, Easter sneaks in, quietly overlooked in the blare of traffic, the push of work, and the constant motion of home and family. Preparing our hearts for Easter is easily nudged aside. For this moment, stop the scurry and take a breath. Still your thoughts and discover the refreshing power of remembering. In this Easter devotion be inspired to embrace the power of the resurrection of Jesus every day with biblical wisdom to celebrate Easter throughout the year. Hearts heavy with grief pressed down hard, women approached the tomb to find the stone is rolled away. Far beyond the ability of a single man to move, the stone no longer seals the grave where Jesus was placed. Thoughts and emotions tangled and fought to make sense of the inexplicable. They entered into the tomb to discover His body was gone as two men appeared. . . .
Six Powerful Lessons on Love and Humility from the Last Supper
As we prepare for Easter, reflect on these lessons about love and humility from Jesus’ teachings at the Last Supper. Last moments are for the heart and Christ leaves his disciples with powerful lessons on love and humility. What can we learn from Christ’s words and example in his last meal with his disciples? Jesus demonstrated the power of love and humility in serving others as he washed the disciples’ feet. There are so many important lessons woven into Jesus’ example and teaching during the Last Supper. Lessons on love and humility that have the power to transform our hearts and impact the world around us. Are we willing to love and serve like Jesus?
Listen to Jesus: 4 Truths Every Believer Needs to Hear
During this Lenten season we’ve been leaning in close to listen to Jesus.Experience deeper faith when you realize that Jesus is speaking through His Word. As you prepare for Easter, join us in these holy moments for truths every believer needs to hear:
- You don’t have to bear your burdens alone. Jesus still bears our burdens and still delivers. Every single day.
- You are holy and whole in Christ. Over time, God brings healing and wholeness to every area of our lives so that we begin to live like who we are in Christ. Our lives change because we are holy, not to become holy.
- Holiness is your new normal, your new nature, your natural state of being. Holiness is God’s gift to bring you back where you belong, safe and secure in His family—holy and whole in Christ. Sanctification is the daily process of discovering the reality of our righteousness in Christ.
- God will finish what He started in you. On the days you forget, default to opinions, or fall short of his best, you can rest in the belief that he is still doing a good work in you.
Six Short Devotions to Help You Listen to Jesus
The Bible tells us that in these days, God speaks through his son (Hebrews 1:2). Listening to Jesus takes time, faith, and practice as we cultivate a listening life. As we prepare our hearts for Easter during this Lenten season, be intentional about making time to hear God’s voice. Ponder a short insight to help you listen to Jesus and open holy moments throughout your day. You will find tips ways to use the printable version of the devotions and the graphics at the end of the post. Create space in your day for holy moments to listen to Jesus as you ponder these simple meditations on God’s Word. Use these short meditations as part of your quiet time or as a way to connect with God in a short break in your day.
Easter Will Not Be Cancelled: The Unstoppable Joy of the Resurrection
Did you know that the Hebrew word for “grief” in this passage extends beyond the hard things that grieve our hearts? The unstoppable joy of Easter is because Jesus bore our malady, anxiety, calamity, disease, grief, and sickness. Even as the entire earth groans under the weight of fear and sickness, Easter still comes. Nothing and no one can hold back the good news of Easter, the victory over sin, death, and disease that the resurrection of Jesus accomplished. It is finished. And Easter will never be cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.
The Good in Good Friday
17 Powerful Verses on the Resurrection Life of Christ + Printable List. What in the world was good about Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified on the cross? The message of Good Friday leads us to Easter as we embrace the power of the resurrection of Christ. The term Good Friday juxtaposes the suffering of our sinless Savior bearing our punishment. What happened on Good Friday is the death of Christ. There is so much that is not good about this day thousands of years ago when the sky turned black and Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” How can such pain be good? Don’t miss the free printable list of verses on the true life Jesus gives us in the post (no email needed). My Easter gift to you! Print this resource to reflect on what truly is good about Good Friday.
Inspire Your Heart to Hope + Printable Easter Poem
Be inspired by this short Easter poem to focus your heart on the power of hope. This Easter let your hope rise as you embrace the resurrection of Jesus. Today and every day, Christ in us is our hope of Glory. Enjoy the printable version of the poem to share with a friend.
Family Traditions Create Special Memories
Family traditions bring generations together, creating strong bonds and family stories. When I was a little girl, Easter was all about the bunny. And the basket. And the dress. Oh yes, the dress! 
Whether it is Easter dresses, decorating and hunting for eggs, playing games, making crafts, or baking special recipes, take time to create family traditions. It’s never too late to start! Through the years traditions will change with the ages and interests of the children, but always the best tradition is to celebrate life and love together as a family!
Love is the glue of family traditions that brings generations together and creates love for a lifetime.
*This post contains personal pictures of Easter that span 1970-2007.
Have a blessed Easter my friend. I hope you enjoy the variety of Easter content and the printable resources to deepen your faith this Easter! 
Discover the Practical Power of Your Choices
A deeper, healthier life in Christ happens in the choices we make in the moment. Learn practical ways to live with freedom and joy to overcome perfectionism, anxiety, insecurity, self-righteousness, and negative attitudes. Are you ready to discover the difference your choices can make?
Read the book and join the FB Holy in the Moment Community to make the most of your one holy life!Learn more about the award-winning book from Ginger Harrington. Intentional choices to trust God in the moment will change the way you live. *Contains an affiliate link at no cost to you.
Get Free Resources for a Deeper Relationship with God
Join thousands of women getting encouragement delivered to their inboxes and get access to the Subscriber Library for free resources to grow in faith. I’d be honored to have you on my list! Sign up here or click the button below. 
4 Powerful Ways to Peace in Decision Making
Making life-changing decisions is stressful. Decisions about schools, jobs, relationships, family, moves, or major purchases bring big changes that take us into the unknown. Fear of making the wrong decision stirs up what if’s that take us...
