All things were made by Me; I alone stretched out the heavens. By myself I made the earth and everything in it. ISAIAH 44:24 TLB 

When we get quiet in a natural setting, the sound of everything around us is magnified while everything within us becomes peaceful. It’s a great exchange. We hear the wind, the birds, the woodland animals, the water, and the leaves on the trees. The presence of God is permeating, pleasing, and peaceful. All things were made by Him. That’s why spending time in the created world is healing for us in every way. 

The rut of our daily routine needs a natural interruption once in a while. It’s good for us to walk nature trails and hike or drive to scenic viewpoints to simply be still and take it all in. The fresh air revives us, the beauty inspires us, and the God who put it all in place restores us. It’s impossible to be truly revived in a world overwhelmed with distractions. Notification dings, bright screens, news alerts, and social media scrolling are constant thieves of our time. Being proactive brings about peacefulness. 

When we nurture our inner peace, we give our souls an anchor to hold us steady in the chaos of life. It’s an assurance of God’s strength in us and His love for us. These are unwavering things. These are the things that don’t give way under stress or circumstances. His strength and love are the things that will secure our peace in any storm. Nurturing it is a necessity. 

Whatever today brings, dig deep for the peace that holds everything in perspective and puts every care in God’s hands. He’ll give you strength. He’ll love you perfectly. He’ll hold you close. He’ll ask you to trust Him. Try to find a tiny space of prayer for however long you can manage. The quiet will bring the connection. And the connection will be the restoration your soul needs. 

Dear God, Your strength and love ground me and bring the peace I need to get through the day. Remind me to get away whenever and however I can to simply be restored by the work of Your hands and the beauty around me. 

This is an excerpt from The Mountains are Calling: 90 Devotions for Peace & Solitude – a devotional journal now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.