Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
I recently had the privilege to break away, taking time out on a journey of rest, restoration, and reconciliation. In the heart of winter, we found ourselves nestled away at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains. Fragrances of fynbos and fauna, along with fresh air, filled our lungs with all their medicinal benefits. Vineyards, chirping birds, and waterfalls soothed our busy minds.
Hurried lives
Staying focused while building our lives and pursuing our purpose has become the norm. Countless voices compete for our attention, creating a constant tug of war. These external distractions and internal conflicts can slow our progress and effectiveness if we don’t intentionally take time out to stop, pause, and reflect on key aspects of our relationship with God, ourselves, and daily life. Someone once confessed, “I am a recovering speed addict.”
What is reflection?
Reflection is taking the time to think about, meditate on, evaluate, and give serious thought to one’s behaviours, thoughts, attitudes, motivations, and desires. Several times in the book of Psalms we see the little word selah, meaning to pause and reflect.
I realised that if I don’t intentionally stop to reflect, and I just keep pushing forward, several inner life priorities could easily be overlooked – which eventually impacts my effectiveness. The ripple effect of a hurried life can lead to various physical illnesses, disturb our emotional well-being, and create spiritual disconnection.
It is easy to just keep going – from one appointment to the next, from day to day – trying to keep up with everything and everyone calling for our attention, all while running on empty with a tired body. We can quickly become out of sync in spirit, soul, and body until there is no longer alignment. Is all the busyness really God’s purpose for us?
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith explains it well: “Rest isn’t lazy or selfish – it’s necessary, and honestly, it’s holy. It is about restoration, restoring the parts of us that get depleted; the parts of us that get drained when we’re doing whatever different activities are part of our life.”
Spiritual rest
I didn’t need more sleep – although for some, that may be the case. I needed time out to sit with God, undisturbed. I needed to experience spiritual rest, where I could quiet my body and mind and connect with God in my sacred space in nature. It meant stilling myself to speak with Him – away from everyone, including my phone and watch.
What does rest do the body?
This kind of rest is deeply therapeutic. It improves overall performance, helps repair muscles, supports a healthy immune system, and reduces inflammation. It also assists in managing stress levels, balancing blood pressure, and contributing to a healthier heart. “Unhurrying” ourselves is key to our spiritual growth in a culture that glorifies busyness.
How to practice spiritual rest?
I discovered that what works for me is writing out Scripture while journalling what I sense God is saying. Quiet solitude in nature, worshipping, and “wasting” time with God has helped me enter His rest. It’s not a rest from work, but a rest in work. The Spirit leads us to stillness, to places where we can wait and trust in His guidance.
This article is featured in the September issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 27/08/2025
SOPHIA ROMAN – pioneer, visionary, and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband, Theo, pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork from unsplash.com
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