Pain or Quiet? | Journey Road

I recently read an article about a survey done by the University of Virginia in 2014. While it’s an older study, it rings true today. The participants were asked to sit with their thoughts for 15 minutes with no outside stimuli. But they were given access to push a button to shock themselves.

The results? During the 15 minute test, 67% of the men who took the survey chose the button to receive a shock.

Being Times – a stabilizing practice

The shock treatment choice isn’t that unusual, even for women. For many, quiet spaces feel intimidating. Guilt feelings may surface about wasting time. Inner voids might make themselves known. For others, taking time out from devices and other stimuli can stir up a host of issues. If you tend to avoid your thoughts in times of stillness, here’s a great reflective question, “What is it that I’m not willing to feel or know about myself?”

Sitting with our thoughts, quietly lingering, is where inner healing often begins. It resets the rhythms of our spirit, heart, soul, and physical body.

Quiet times provide a space for us to listen to the Holy Spirit and our heart. Some people call this the secret place. Those who practice these intervals usually agree – it’s how they find more awareness of God’s presence throughout the day. It gives opportunity to settle the heart in times of distress.

Interestingly, quiet spaces aren’t a luxury. In fact, set-apart times during the day are a key for our spiritual, emotional and physical health. Intentional times of stillness can help us improve our relationships because we’ve taken care of ourselves. These times might also help us set better limits as to what we read or listen to when the floods of digital information come our way.

While attending a North Carolina conference, I met a group who taught about their, “Digital Sabbath.” In addition to a weekly Sabbath rest, they were completely turning off the news, their phones, and all other screens. As they gathered with friends and family, without tech devices, they found great benefits. Genuine connectedness was fostered as distractions from screens and notifications were quieted.

Creativity and Insight

Without silent times and pauses, creativity suffers. Creativity is often birthed from times of spaciousness. Artists usually value times of doing nothing. It’s often where their best work is ignited.

Interestingly, when Elohim rested on the seventh day, He created a pattern for us to follow. The number 7 symbolizes several things. While completion is the more well-known connection to this number, 7 also has a lot to do with re-creating and restoring.

Sometimes we don’t realize how much the Lord loves us. He knows we need restorative times because He created us that way. Each of us matter to God and He wants our love. He doesn’t look at us and say, “Serve Me, but I really don’t need you.” Instead, He says to draw near to Him because He values us.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells His disciples, "Come away, all of you, to a quiet place, and rest awhile.” They’d been busy doing and teaching and serving, but the Lord suggested they take a break.

God is accomplishing certain things in this season. As we listen for His Fatherly guidance, He will help us navigate all the emerging changes we are facing today. Through it all, we can trust His hand of grace as He invites us forward into wholeness.

Article adapted from 7/2026 newsletter.