When was the last time you felt free? The kind of freedom where your mind takes an uninterrupted break, you stop thinking about everything that needs your attention, and you sit still in the present moment.
A place where striving stops, and you allow yourself to be.
I don’t find my way to that place nearly as often as I would like. My mind tends to race ahead—to the next task, the next responsibility, or the next thing that needs my attention. Maybe yours does too.
Do you even know how to free your mind and have more peace?
Ponder with Me
What comes to mind when you think of feeling free? Is the wind whipping through your hair? Maybe your to-do list is checked off? Or perhaps you are racing down a snow-covered mountain?
For each of us, it will be a different experience. But don’t we all long to feel freedom and peace?
Yet somewhere in the busyness of life, that sense of freedom can become difficult to find.
Remember When You Felt Free
Sometimes, we need to remember what freedom felt like before life became filled with responsibilities, expectations, and endless lists of things to do.
Do you remember what it was like to play when your creative juices got going, and you came up with all kinds of ways to entertain yourself?
I rode my bike with the wind whipping through my hair without a care in the world. Maybe you remember that kind of freedom, too.
Thank goodness we didn’t carry cell phones in our pockets with annoying parents wanting to know our every move. We ran and played with a sense of freedom.
Didn’t it feel good?
We Took Risks
One day, I decided it would be great fun to climb a steep, rocky hillside. I grabbed hold of the jagged rocks and dug my nails into the dirt beneath me. Dirt crumbled under my fingers and slid down the hill. With my heart pounding, I pulled and pushed my way toward the top.
I pulled myself over the edge, jumped to my feet, and threw my arms in the air.
“I did it!”
Of course, the next best thing to experiencing something great is convincing someone else to try it too.
So I encouraged one onlooker to give it a whirl. I was a bit pushy, but I was sure that if I could do it, the neighbor boy could too.
After all, I was a girl.
Sammy didn’t share my enthusiasm, but eventually, he started climbing.
He was bigger and heavier than I was. Each time he reached for another rock, the dirt gave way beneath him.
“I can’t do it!” he yelled.
Halfway up, he froze. He wouldn’t climb another inch. Then the tears started.
I ran for help.
When the cavalry showed up, they were not too impressed with my adventurous climbing. The adults stared up at the hill and then at us. Apparently, climbing without ropes or supervision was not their idea of a good afternoon activity.
The parents immediately declared a halt to our rock climbing adventures.
But that was okay.
There were bikes to ride, games to invent, and plenty of daylight left to fill.
After all, we didn’t have to return home until the streetlights turned on.
Somewhere along the way, many of us traded the freedom to be for the pressure always to be doing. #rest #peace #ChristianLiving Share on XThen We Grew Up
We matured, and many of us forgot how to play, rest, and be still.
Our world became noisy, with a constant buzz, ring, or ding from our electronics. Productivity grew paramount. Our grown-up responsibilities and obligations took precedence.
We set out to build lives, care for the people we love, meet our responsibilities, and accomplish meaningful things. None of those pursuits are wrong. But somewhere along the way, many of us began believing that every moment needed to be productive.
Rest started to feel wasteful. Stillness became uncomfortable. And when we finally stopped moving, our minds kept racing.
Do you know how to free your mind and have more peace? Or are you rushing about to accomplish the next thing on your list?
Simple, but Not Easy
We need to learn how to stop.
Not forever. Not because our responsibilities no longer matter. But because God did not create us to live in a constant state of striving.
Enjoy the present moment.
Appreciate the stillness
Sit still in God’s presence.
Permit ourselves to rest.
Is it even necessary to feel free like we did as children?
YES—YES—YES!
When your mind isn’t going a hundred miles per hour, it has room to rest, notice, create, listen, and receive.
God often speaks in ways we miss when we never slow down long enough to listen.
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.
(Isaiah 30:21 NLT)
Stillness does not guarantee that every distracting thought disappears. Rest does not mean our problems vanish. But slowing down creates space to remember who God is, notice His presence, and listen for His direction.
Slowing down creates space to remember who God is, notice His presence, and listen for His direction. #peace #faith #rest Share on XWhat Happens When We Slow Down
It will free the mind to –
- Be adventurous
- Explore our creative side.
- Notice what’s around us.
- Be ourselves, not somebody else.
- Hear God’s whispers.
- Live in the present moment.
- Deepen our relationships.
- Find peace.
I wonder how often we ask God for peace while continuing to live at a pace that leaves little room to experience it.
Jesus Himself stepped away from the crowds and demands of ministry to spend time alone with His Father. Luke 5:16 tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
If Jesus intentionally made room for solitude and prayer, perhaps we should pay attention.
We often ask God for peace while living at a pace that leaves little room to experience it. #peace #ChristianLiving #rest Share on XRest and stillness are crucial ingredients for freeing the mind and finding more peace.
But don’t take my word for it—try it yourself.
Start Small
Put your phone in another room for fifteen minutes. Sit outside without accomplishing anything. Take a walk without listening to anything. Open your Bible and linger over one passage instead of rushing through it. Sit quietly before God and pray, “Lord, help me notice You.”
Join me in the struggle of trying to find a way to incorporate rest into our everyday lives.
Together, let’s set aside moments when we cease striving to accomplish and allow ourselves to be still with God.
Do you struggle, like me, with shutting it all down to stop the striving and be still?
This one really ministered to me this morning, Maree! Thank you for speaking to our hearts! Oh, to slow down into freedom!
Isn’t it cool how this is another piece in God’s economy? We need to be still and rest to be able to do the things that matter.
I love the way you said that “another piece in God’s economy.” He sure thinks of everything. Blessings, Maree
I am always writing about rest. I like the idea of being free to be yourself in Him. It is the one who is altogether lovely that makes us be-you-tiful.
Amen! A great comment. Maree
You’re so right, I have to retrain my brain to permit myself to rest. It’s sure a process when my whole life I’ve wanted every. Day. To. Be. Productive.
Jerralea, I am right there with you. However, don’t you find with adequate rest you are ten times more productive? Maree
Great advice (and great memory from your childhood!) I do have trouble shutting it down, resting, and allowing myself to simply “be free.” Good encouragement here. Thanks!
You are not alone. I find it hard to be still and let my mind be free. But don’t you think it is pretty amazing when we do. So worth the effort. Maree
great advice. laurensparks.net
Lauren – Thank you! Maree
Maree, I love the idea of being still. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 46:10a Be still and know that I am God. It’s something we don’t do enough of. Thanks for the great reminders!
Tweeted.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
It is my favorite too. It is one I have to work at, but I am always so glad when I sit still with God.
Being still is so hard for me! Thanks for sharing these tips, Maree.
Heather, I am right there with you. Maree
Mariee Dee
I am in the middle of one of my most scariest trials……Jesus, please be my Prince of Peace …
Give me your peace in the midst of my great uncertainties and help me to be at peace ….until you calm the inner turmoil and unrest in my heart and mind. Like Abraham, I do not know where I am going to land….help me dear God and thank you that You will get me through whatever I am facing with hope and confidence in You and You alone.
Kalyani, I too, am lifting you in prayer. I am so sorry you are in the middle of a trial but glad to hear you are leaning into God. May you find the comfort and the peace he offers. Blessings, Maree
I just love this, Maree. I had to read and comment as I was visiting today. This topic is where I have been led lately.
Meg, A topic I am always visiting. I would love to hear any tips you have. Maree
I don’t think I will ever be the best at sitting still, but I have to keep trying! 🙂
Sarah, Me either but I won’t stop trying. Maree
“Allow ourselves time to rest” What a simple thought that is, yet it can be almost impossible to accomplish. I am moving through a time of intentional rest, and it is so hard and so good all at the same time! Congrats on being featured at Fresh Market Friday!
Jessica,
I would love to hear more about your intentional time of rest you are taking. If you have time, please drop me a comment or an email at maree.dee@embracingtheunexpected.com. Rest is an area I am constantly trying to grow in. Thank you for the congrats I was pretty excited to be featured.
Thank you for stopping by,
Blessings, Maree
Crystal, Thank you, it is such an honor to be featured on your website. I too am looking for to the 30 days of being thankful.
Love your perspective here, Maree Dee! Especially —>Rest and being still is a crucial ingredient to freeing the mind and having more peace. AMEN!
Sarah, Thank you for stopping by with an encouraging word. It is always nice to see you on my blog. Maree
The older I get and more responsibilities I take on, the harder it gets to be still. Oh, but how necessary. I find that Sunday afternoon tends to be my time to be still and present. Love your point about trying to accomplish kills our resting.
Theresa, I hear you it is hard to be still. Sunday’s are a great day to do just that. I try to do that on Sunday, but this week I sure missed the mark. Blessings, Thank you for stopping and commenting. I always love to see your picture pop up. Maree
Learn to be still and incorporate rest into my life? What??? Seriously, I loved your story! Girl, you’ve got grit!! I can see you scaling the side of that rock. What an adventurer you are! I so agree with you, we’ve got to slow it down and just be. Thanks for this post which reminds me to do just that. Your linky partner over at tell his story. Blessings!
Tiffiney,
Thank you for stopping by I loved your comment it made me smile. It is so hard just to be. I did a little bit of that tonight and took the flying turtle for a spin. I hope you found some time in your day for a little fun.
Blessings,
Maree
Far to often I am busy adulating when I need to take more to time to be still and rest. Thanks you for these reminders today! 🙂 Misty
Misty – I am right there with you. Beings still is difficult but with practice, it gets easier and the rewards get bigger. Maree
❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻😘
Thank you!