The Practice of Stillness.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose touch with ourselves. Even the most organized among us can feel overwhelmed by the pressures and demands of family, work, and personal responsibilities.
While these aspects of our lives are important, finding moments of stillness and peace amongst the hustle and bustle is important. I’ve had my fair share of confusion that erodes the mind, especially when surrounded by many things begging for my attention — work, school, family, and art. In these moments, the noise in our hearts seems to be louder than the marketplace.
Having a quiet mind seems like a luxury nowadays, but it’s possible to find peace—that quiet state where you can process your thoughts, allow your ideas to bud and come alive, and simply be still without fear and anxiety.
This is where the idea of practicing stillness comes in.
Think of this as a path to peace, clarity, and direction. We are always the product of our deepest thoughts and imagination. Even the Bible affirms this when it says, “That as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7) meaning anyone who gives time to address the needs of the mind becomes a better man.
Finding stillness for a few moments each day teaches us to listen to our inner thoughts or look at something specific to learn what it really says. Like meditation, think of it as viewing our hearts with a microscope, seeing our actual needs, and giving access to the right knowledge to fill up any void present.
Here are a few ways stillness and meditation have worked for me and I believe can help you too.
1. Turning Your Worry into Peace
There was a season in my life when I was always stressed, waiting for what was next, what was coming at me. I worried all the time, and it seemed like I was constantly stuck in a loop, which sabotaged my mood, the quality of my sleep, and my enjoyment of life.
When I began to learn to take out time to be silent, and think on a particular bible verse or word, it became easier to focus on the now and not on fear or anxiety or the next big thing. Just now. The longer I stayed and perfected my thought process, the more I noticed that most of my concerns were illogical and unnecessary because they were about things that hadn’t occurred yet.
This practice showed me how to let go of these thoughts that are not doing me any good and choose whats good as in Joshua 1:8, ‘Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.’ That helps me organize my mind and thoughts to create a peaceful, clear atmosphere and focus on what is ‘true, lovely & trustworthy’ (Philippians 4:8). Now, when uncomfortable situations occur, I address them very differently than worrying or panicking.
2. Bringing beauty out of chaos.
As an artist, one of the challenges that prevents people from being creative is the noise that sometimes clouds the mind, those active thoughts that interfere with a creative process. I discovered that stillness made it easy for me to calm the noise in my mind and explore my creativity.
3. Self Awareness and Personal Growth
Becoming the best version of yourself means knowing your strengths, weaknesses, and what’s important to you. I didn’t realize how my emotions were influencing my choices and relationships until I began practicing stillness.
It helped me understand myself better. With regular practice, I became more aware of my thoughts and behavior and could see where I needed to improve. This self-awareness gave me the courage to make positive changes. Stillness shouldn’t end with reflecting; it should inform the actions to take based on what you learn about yourself.
Meditation helped me learn how to pause, breathe, and reflect before reacting. It gave me the emotional resilience to handle difficult conversations gracefully and patiently. As a result, my relationships improved dramatically. I became more present with my loved ones, better at listening, and more compassionate in my responses. You can also do it.
4. Deepening Your Walk With God
The practice of stillness has enriched my connection with God more than anything else. It’s more than just a moment of silence; it’s a chance for you to establish a more profound spiritual bond with the Father, especially when we put his word as the center of our focus—like meditation. Through this, I’ve noticed that my prayers have become more deliberate, and my understanding of God’s words has deepened. It has allowed me to slow down, be still, and actively listen for God’s guidance in my life.
By dedicating time to stillness, we can contemplate God’s word and align our behaviors with His intentions for us. It’s a moment when we exhale our anxiety and noise in our souls and inhale His peace, goodness, kindness, and reassurance.
If you seek spiritual growth, better mind management, or simply a better way of doing life, the practice of stillness can be a great addition to your daily routine.
