Why slowing down matters

The digital overwhelm is real.

Martin: The constant pings, scrolls, and notifications train us to live reactively. Depending on your kind of work, you can face emails, WhatsApp group chats, the list is never ending. When you get home there are more group chats, Facebook friend requests, do we ever rest from this? It is no wonder we feel overwhelmed.

Micah: Yes—and every alert subtly tells your nervous system, “This is urgent,” even when it’s not. Over time, that chips away at your capacity to rest.

If you don’t slow down, life will speed you up until you break.

Martin: You’ll feel like you’re running on empty but still accelerating. Nobody else is going to prioritise your mental and emotional wellbeing. If you don't fight for it, then life just keeps loading more onto you.

Micah: That’s often when we turn to coping behaviors—scrolling, binge-watching, escaping. But those don’t restore us—they just numb the alarm bells.

Martin: Coping behaviours bring their own set of "side effects" or additional problems. Being kind to yourself means to face your problems, instead of numbing out from them and hoping they go away. 

Slowing down isn’t lazy—it’s essential.

Martin: It’s how you move from reaction to reflection.

Micah: And how you move from survival mode to being present. Even Jesus—our perfect example—needed time alone with the Father to reset and refocus.

Martin: Micah that is spot on. In Matthew 14:23, Matthew 26:36, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28, Luke 11:1 and more we find Jesus taking time to be alone in prayer.

Taking control of your pace is a form of stewardship.

Martin: No one else will guard your heart, time, or peace for you.

Micah: Exactly. Guarding your schedule is part of guarding your soul. If you don’t say no to the noise, you’ll say no to the still, small voice of God without realizing it.

Without slowing down, you miss your own life.

Martin: You won’t notice beauty. Or sadness. Or the presence of God.

Micah: Slowing down creates space to feel, listen, and see—and that’s where healing and transformation happen. Not in the rush, but in the pause.

Helpful metaphors:

Martin: Have you ever tried to drink from a firehose, instead of a glass? 

Micah: You eventually break down after skipping every rest stop on a long journey.  

Martin: That sounds scary and yet many people hardly spend any time on self care.

A gentle invitation:

Martin: What if five minutes of quiet could help you reset your day?

Micah: Yes. What if slowing down is how you begin to come home—to God, to yourself, to your own heart?

Martin: Micah, would you please prepare a reflection for us?

Micah: Of course, Martin. Here’s a gentle reflec tion:

Reflection

Micah:

As you read this, take a breath.

Place a hand on your chest.

Can you feel your heart still beating, even in the noise?

That’s proof: you’re still here. Still held. Still loved.

Slowing down isn’t something you earn—it’s something you’re invited into.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

What’s one small way you can say yes to that invitation today?

Martin: Micah, would you please pray for us. Slowing down is a difficult topic  for a lot of people.

Prayer

Micah:

Jesus,

We are so tired of running.

Tired of pretending we’re fine when our hearts are overwhelmed.

Would You meet us in the pause?

Teach us again how to breathe, how to rest, how to be present with You.

We lay down the need to keep up, the fear of falling behind, the pressure to do it all.

Lead us beside still waters.

Help us remember who we are—not what we achieve.

Amen.

Martin: Micah, our time together today is almost over. Please prepare a short challenge for our readers. 

Micah: Here’s a gentle, doable challenge to go with the reflection and prayer:

Small Challenge

Micah: Today, take 5 minutes to do absolutely nothing. No phone. No music. No emails. Just sit somewhere quiet, breathe slowly, and notice what’s going on inside. You don’t have to fix anything—just be. If your mind wanders, that’s okay. Just keep coming back to your breath. Think of it as a mini Sabbath for your soul.

Martin: And while you are practising being quiet (it takes practise because if you don't do it often, it can be difficult) think about either Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" or Psalm 121:1 "I look to the mountains, where will my help come from?" I hope that you have been blessed by our chat today.