God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken;
God will help at break of day.
-Psalm 46:6
More often than not, we find ourselves caught in a constant cycle of hurry and worry. At work, deadlines seem to be never-ending. At home, the pile of laundry only grows taller. Relationships, too, demand their share of attention—whether it’s a newborn’s cries in the night, a friend pouring out their heart, the date night with your spouse that you’ve been eagerly anticipating, or caring for a sick relative who needs your support.
During these moments when life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel despair and succumb to the pressure. But what if you chose to shift your perspective and see it as an opportunity to pause instead? Sometimes, these situations can actually serve as an invitation to step back, take a deep breath, and reconnect with yourself and discover what truly matters. Amidst the chaos and daily demands, intentionally devoting time to create peace and find stillness can be one of the most transformative ways to restore balance. Here are a few ways that can help:
- Take a 15-minutes Rosary walk. Stepping outside and breathing in the fresh air while praying the Rosary can become a form of active meditation, helping you open your heart and quieting the unnecessary noise in your mind. Allow each bead to draw you closer to God and give yourself time to deeply connect with the mysteries by praying with full awareness, lovingly and tenderly. It’s a beautiful way to slow down, and don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with how to pray the Rosary. Simply grab your headphones and find a video on YouTube or a playlist on Spotify that can guide you through each step.Â
- Realize that taking a break isn’t idleness. Often, we immerse ourselves in excessive work and activities as a way to avoid facing ourselves or to validate our sense of worth. But it is in the slowing down that we can exercise our trust and allow ourselves to just “beâ€, even if it seems to hold no value to any physical output. It is this state of pause where we can find interior rest and the strength that we need to approach life with renewed purpose and grace.
- Enjoy a cup of coffee. When life is moving at an impossible pace, this simple act can offer a peaceful, moment of quiet that can help you pause and wind down. If you want to go the extra mile or have more time, why not sit down with your favorite book? It’s a great way to unplug, recharge your mind, and restore a sense of calm.
- Sit in a quiet church. If you live near a church or happen to cross an adoration chapel, drop by for a few minutes and just sit in silence before God. There’s no need to rush through prayers or have a specific agenda—let yourself be still in front of the tabernacle and just be with God. If you feel inspired, you can also try writing your feelings into a journal or simply typing them into your phone. Taking time to jot down your thoughts in a sacred space can allow for deep self-reflection, helping you process your emotions, reveal new insights, and seek God’s peace.
- Reconnect with God to restore your perspective. Reading scripture or a page from a spiritual book written by a favorite saint may seem like delaying the task at hand, but it may be the break(through) we need. We can draw inspiration from the narrative of Elijah1 in Kings, who also suffered from exhaustion, and how God was present with him, or from Saint Thomas Aquinas2, who could well be the patron saint for those burned out.
The reassuring message in these stories is that God is not just present when we are feeling positive, but chooses to reside with us even during times of hopelessness and despair. It is in this space of quiet that we are reminded that our work and relationships are not separate from our faith but are fully integrated into it. It helps us see that life isn’t about striving alone, but about walking alongside Him.