I don’t know about you, but I have always found it hard to actually stop. If you’re like me, your mind is probably a browser with fifty tabs open, and at least three of them are playing music you can't find. We live in a world that praises the "hustle," where our worth is often measured by how much we can cram into twenty-four hours. But lately, I’ve been feeling a tug on my heart: a gentle reminder that we weren’t made to run on high octane every single second of the day.
Welcome to our updated look at Finding Peace in the Pause. This isn't just about taking a nap (though I’m a huge fan of those!). It’s about a spiritual reset. It’s about the biblical concept of Sabbath: a time to rest, release the weights we’ve been carrying, and let go of the need to control everything.
If you’ve been feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or just plain tired, I want to invite you to join me on this journey. Let’s explore how we can create a "Sabbath atmosphere" in our own homes and why your soul is begging for a break.
Why We Struggle to Stop
I used to think that resting was a sign of weakness. I thought if I wasn't working, I was falling behind. Maybe you feel that way too? We treat our lives like a race, but God actually modeled something very different for us right at the beginning.
In Genesis, God created the entire universe, and then? He rested. He didn’t rest because He was tired; He rested to set a rhythm for us. He knew we would need a boundary between our work and our worth. When we refuse to rest, we’re essentially saying, "God, I don’t trust You to keep the world spinning while I sleep." Ouch. That one hit me hard when I first realized it.
I’ve found that the "recession of time": that feeling like there’s never enough of it: is actually a spiritual signal. It’s a call to return to the Father. When we pause, we give God room to speak. We give our hearts room to breathe.
Part 1: The Art of Rest (The Physical and Mental)
Rest starts with a choice to stop the physical labor. But for us modern folks, the mental labor is often harder to quit. I can sit on my couch all day, but if I’m scrolling through social media or worrying about Monday’s emails, I’m not actually resting.
To truly rest, we have to create a sanctuary. I love looking through our shop for items that remind me of God's peace, but the real work happens in the heart.
Ask yourself: What is one thing I can put down today?
Pray for: The courage to leave things unfinished.
Reflect on: Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Part 2: Release (Handing Over the Mental Load)
Once we stop moving, that’s when the "noise" usually gets the loudest. Have you noticed that? The moment you sit down to pray, you suddenly remember you forgot to buy milk or that awkward thing you said in 2014.
This is where "Release" comes in. We have to actively hand over our anxieties to the Lord. I’ve found that writing things down helps. I personally use the Jesus Heals Spiral Notebook to just dump all my worries onto the page. Once it’s on the paper, I tell God, "This is yours now. I’m not carrying it for the next 24 hours."
When you feel that familiar spike of anxiety, try this simple prayer:
"Jesus, calm my heart. I release the need to solve this on my own. I trust Your timing and Your plan."
Part 3: The Sabbath Routine (Letting Go with Light of Damaris)
This is my favorite part! I’ve been working on a "Sabbath routine" that helps me transition from the chaos of the week into a state of peace. I’m a firm believer that our physical environment affects our spiritual state.
I have set up a little corner in my living room specifically for my Sabbath time. Here is what my routine looks like lately, and maybe you’d like to try something similar:
- Clear the Space: I tidy up just enough so that I’m not looking at a pile of laundry.
- Light the Way: I always light one of our Fruit of the Spirit scented candles. There is something so restorative about the scent of Peace or Joy filling the room. It’s a sensory cue to my brain that says, "The work is done. The rest has begun."
- Unplug: I put my phone in a drawer. If it's not in sight, it's not in mind!
- Meditate on Truth: I pull out a few reflection cards to focus my thoughts.
Using these prayer cards helps me focus on things like Kindness, Gentleness, and Peace. Instead of thinking about my problems, I’m thinking about the character of God. If you want to join me in this, you don't need a lot of fancy gear: just a willing heart and a quiet moment.
Part 4: Letting Go (The Beauty of the Middle)
We often think that we can only rest after the breakthrough happens. We think, "Once the kids are grown," or "Once the debt is paid," or "Once the health report comes back clean," then I’ll find peace.
But the real victory is finding peace in the "middle." It’s letting go of the outcome while you’re still in the waiting room. This "Sabbath Edition" of peace is about trusting God while the work is still in progress.
When we light our candles and sit in the silence, we aren't ignoring our problems. We are acknowledging that God is bigger than them. We are letting go of the heavy mantle of "Project Manager of the Universe" and stepping back into our role as "Child of God."
Practical Steps for Your "Pause" This Week
If you’re ready to reclaim your peace, here are five simple things you can do this weekend:
- Set a "Stop Time": Decide that at 6:00 PM on Friday (or whenever works for you), the work stops. No more emails, no more chores.
- Create a Sensory Anchor: Use a specific scent, like our Fruit of the Spirit candles, or a specific song to signal the start of your rest.
- Prepare a "Sabbath Meal": Make something easy or order in. Don't spend your rest time doing dishes!
- Go for a "Prayer Walk": Walk without your headphones. Listen to the wind, look at the trees, and just talk to God like He’s walking right beside you.
- Write a "God Did It" List: Instead of a "To-Do" list, write down all the ways God showed up for you this week. It shifts your focus from what you need to do to what He has already done.
Closing Thoughts: You Are Allowed to Rest
Friend, I want you to hear this clearly: You don't have to earn your rest. You don't have to be "productive enough" to deserve a pause. God called the Sabbath "holy" before there were even any rules or religions. It is a gift wrapped in time, waiting for you to open it.
I’ve found that when I honor the Sabbath, I actually have more energy for the other six days. I’m more patient, more creative, and: most importantly: more connected to the One who loves me most.
If you're looking for more ways to bring faith into your daily routine, feel free to explore our full collection or check out our latest posts for more inspiration.
So, this week, will you join me in the pause? Let’s light a candle, take a deep breath, and let go. He’s got the whole world in His hands, which means we can finally take our hands off the wheel for a while.
A Sample Prayer for Your Sabbath:
"Father, thank You for the gift of this day. I lay down my tools, my worries, and my plans. I choose to trust that You are working even while I am resting. Fill this home with Your peace and my heart with Your joy. Help me to truly release the things I cannot control. Amen."
Blessings and peace,
Angel
Want to dive deeper into our "Fruit of the Spirit" themes? Check out our Suncatchers or grab a Jesus Heals Travel Mug for your next quiet morning on the porch!