Today I am delighted to welcome Deanna Fletcher to my blog. She is a broadcaster but has also just created a new ‘daily practice movement’ called Know Me. Here she explains why she thinks taking time for regular stillness is so important.

If I told you one simple thing could dramatically reduce your anxiety and self-doubt while also helping you sleep better, would you believe me?

Finding a daily practice that works best in the season of life you’re in isn’t just about taking control of your mental health. It’s also a powerful and biblical way to connect with God on a deeper level, creating space for the Holy Spirit to speak with you in a tangible, personal way.

A spiritual or belief practice is a regular activity undertaken for the specific purpose of cultivating spiritual development. The more you come back to this place of stillness and surrender, the further along the path you’ll move towards your goal; a closer communion and intimacy with God. This type of spiritual path is sometimes referred to as a pilgrimage and, I believe, describes well the journey of discipleship. Spending quality time in His presence and allowing Him to replace negative, fearful thoughts with His loving truth is right on point with Romans 12:2 – to be “inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think” (TPT).

There are many reasons you might take up a daily practice. Right now, we are facing an epidemic of poor mental health, increased anxiety and loneliness not just in our country, but around the world. Many families have been confined to small spaces under the coronavirus lockdown and for single people the hardship of isolation – going for months without a physical connection with others – has become lonely to the point of distress.

I came to discover practices like guided meditation when it was desperately needed in my life. Chronic stress had led to clinical burnout, resulting in major life changes and a lengthy recovery process. How I wish I knew then what I know now! Rest isn’t the enemy of productivity, and silence is nothing to be feared – there is strength to be found in these places. In my experience, it requires coming back to places of stillness and prayer to see real, long-term change. According to the Bible, Jesus is our ‘great physician’ (Mark 2:17) and we would never expect an initial appointment with our GP to resolve our issue. No, it requires that we return as a daily ritual to His presence.

So how can we take back the reigns of our spiritual and emotional wellness? 

The befits of habitual meditation have been proven to include better emotional health, a stronger understanding of self, reduced stress and insomnia, increased positive action and kindness towards others, just to name a few. Creating space to engage with something as simple as a guided meditation on a daily basis is good for the mind, will help you to deepen your faith, and bring more joy as you find yourself feeling more connected and less alone.

“But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right – everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones” (Isaiah 30:18, The Message).

However hectic your schedule may be, it’s well worth making space for uninterrupted stillness. Often, this is exactly what our soul craves. Create an intention today to better serve yourself tomorrow. Consider setting your alarm a few minutes early to take advantage of quiet time in the morning. Small changes make a big difference, and your active choice today may help develop a consistent habit that allows you to start each day with feelings of calm, confidence and connectedness.

Deanna Fletcher is a broadcaster, speaker and founder of the daily practices movement, Know Me. Sign up for helpful articles, devotionals and meditations that will refresh your mind and spirit.