Find strength in stillness by embracing weakness and wisdom in a busy world | with Gretchen Saffles
In our bustling, fast-paced world, the concept of stillness can often seem alien, if not downright impossible. But as we learn from Gretchen Saffles, embracing stillness and our weaknesses can bring us closer to God and foster a deeper sense of inner peace.
Gretchen and Stephanie discuss the challenge of being still and overcoming the need for constant productivity. Advised by her Christian counselor to be still before the Lord for just one minute, Gretchen discovered this simple exercise to be remarkably challenging, due to her ingrained belief in the importance of constant productivity. She realized that her busy life and the demands of various activities had clouded her mind and distanced her from a genuine relationship with God. Through this journey, she learned that stillness and simplicity are not just luxuries, but essential spiritual disciplines. Taking time to be still before the Lord is an act of submission, a recognition that God is in control.
Unlike some forms of secular meditation, which emphasize emptying the mind, biblical meditation involves filling the mind with God's truths. Gretchen found Christ in this practice, which helped her redirect her focus from worldly anxieties to divine wisdom. Gretchen is learning to take a slow, reflective approach to reading Scripture, often meditating on a single verse or passage for an extended period. This method allows her to absorb the Word deeply and apply it practically in her life. Currently, she is reading the Bible chronologically, finding fresh insights in the Beatitudes.
Stephanie and Gretchan talk about embracing weakness as strength, and finding God’s power in our weak moments. In a culture that idolizes strength and self-reliance, embracing weakness can seem counterintuitive. Yet Gretchen and Stephanie both emphasize that true Christian strength shines brightest in our moments of weakness. They cite biblical examples like Moses and Paul, whose infirmities highlighted God's power and grace. This theology of suffering is rooted deeply in scripture, reminding us that sharing in Christ’s sufferings leads to a more intimate relationship with God. Philippians 3:10 encapsulates this truth: knowing Christ through both the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings brings us closer to Him.
Gretchen shares a poignant anecdote about her grandmother, who lived with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Despite immense physical pain, her grandmother's life radiated God's power, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Wisdom is a treasure for life, made possible through a slow, meditative approach to Scripture reading. Gretchen’s insights into wisdom reveal it as a treasure that points to Christ, wisdom personified. Her slow, meditative approach to reading Scripture allows time for absorption and contemplation, fostering a deeper connection with God’s Word. This method reinforces the importance of letting the Holy Spirit guide our understanding of Scripture.
Gretchen attributes much of her wisdom and love for the book of Proverbs to her mother. Her upbringing in a busy ministry home showed her that all good works should stem from a profound relationship with God, not just from a sense of duty.
“Soul Scrubbing” is the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Word to cleanse and renew us. Gretchen uses the metaphor of "soul scrubbing" to describe how the Holy Spirit uses the Word to cleanse our minds and souls. This practice involves more than just a cursory reading of Scripture. It calls for a deep dive into God's truths, allowing them to renew and transform us. She has been focusing on meditating on God's love, recently finding new significance in John 3:16. Recognizing the necessity of mental, physical, and spiritual rest, she strives to rest in God’s love, which fosters deeper intimacy with Him.
For those feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, Saffles's book "Word Over World" offers a heartfelt guide to rediscovering intimacy with God. It's a reminder that even in our busiest moments, God's love and wisdom are always within reach, waiting for us in the stillness.
MORE ABOUT "WORD OVER WORLD"
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
When you think about your life and what you value, what would you put first? When you read God’s Word, are you doing so out of duty or out of a desire to delight in your Savior? When all we give Jesus is our leftovers, fear overwhelms our peace and worry clouds our vision.
Gretchen Saffles knows what it’s like to struggle to put Jesus first daily. During a season of spiritual discouragement, she learned that pursuing God is ultimately not a self-help journey, but rather it’s a Spirit-led surrender. This discovery led her to a simple phrase that helped her reframe how she desired to spend her time, start her days, and shape her mindset: Word before World. This three-word statement has become her morning manifesto, her afternoon anthem, and her evening comfort. When she practiced looking first to Jesus, she realized that while God’s Word never changes, yet it always changes us.
In Word before World you’ll discover ways to:
Conquer the daily distractions that get in the way of time with God
Develop a daily rhythm of seeking Jesus
Set aside your phone, lists, and plans in order to seek direction and nourishment in God’s Word instead
Transform your worldview, schedule, dreams, and desires to align with God’s purpose for your life.
Cultivate a deep love for God in this 100-day devotional journey to experience God’s faithfulness and goodness. Put God’s Word before the distractions of this world, believing that he will meet your every need.
MORE ABOUT GRETCHEN SAFFLES:
Gretchen Saffles is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to drink deeply from the well of God's Word and to find their identity and purpose in Christ. She is the founder of Well-Watered Women, an online ministry that reaches women worldwide with the hope of the gospel. She has written several Bible studies and is the creator of the Give Me Jesus journal, a tool to help women study Scripture daily. On any given day you can find her with a cup of coffee in hand, a message stirring in her soul, and a God-sized dream on her heart. Gretchen lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Greg, and her two sons, Nolan and Haddon.
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