Last Sabbath I heard a message that spoke to my heart. I knew it was so appropriate
for me the moment I heard the message. It was like it was spoken directly to me, just for me! For several weeks I have been asked by my doctor to record my blood pressure readings, daily, at home! Thanks to my mother and genetics, I struggle with having high readings every time I go into the doctor’s office! And since just walking through the door makes me stressed about “how high will it be this time?” and because I am stressed, then the reading will be even higher. And then, I know the drill, I will be prescribed a different medication that will bring the numbers down—hopefully! Only the numbers remain high—while in the office. When I take the readings at home, the numbers are better and often much lower. Then I get stressed all over again, just thinking about my “numbers.” I write them down to show the doctor as requested, who agrees that those at home are reasonable numbers. But then what gets officially recorded was what the blood pressure reading was in the clinic! Then I get upset because that clinic number is always high and my readings at home get ignored and and and and …… Yes, I’m frustrated.
Taking the readings at home has made me very conscious of how my emotions and actions and pain level can change the readings. Even my position in my chair can cause good and bad numbers! I have learned to have good posture, don’t talk, control what I am thinking about, sit quietly and breathe slowly, maybe even pet our kitty. Some days it is easy, some days not so much. The hot humid days we had did not help give me good readings to record, as the long humid days were stressful with no air conditioning! Not getting a good night’s rest didn’t help either. We took a few days to have a mini vacation. And we had a strange bed, different routines, extra activity—well, you can guess that the numbers changed to less than what I wanted them to be!
And then I heard the sermon on Quiet Places! One of the things that became so clear to me was that even Jesus took time to find a quiet place to stop and rest and to meet with His Father! There are several Bible “quiet” stories! And none of them involved Blood Pressure readings! But I need to learn the stories and apply them to being quiet and relaxing! Jesus frequently left noisy crowds to go to lonely or desolate wilderness places to pray (Luke 5:16). Yet Satan found Him and tried to disturb Jesus’ thinking! He tried to raise Jesus’ blood pressure! Jesus often rose long before daylight and went to a deserted place to be alone with God in an early morning quiet spot (Mark 1:35). This is a good plan for many of us. The prophet Elijah sought refuge in a cave on Mount Horeb, also called Mount Sinai, where God did not speak through a mighty wind or fire, but in a gentle, quiet whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12). When you are quiet, it is easier to hear God speaking to you. Psalm 23 describes the Lord leading His people to areas of calm, still, restful water and green grassy pastures to restore the soul. Matthew 6:6 instructs believers to go into a secret quiet private room, close the door, and pray in secret.
Jesus invites us to step away from the noise of daily life into a quiet place to find true rest. When our schedules overflow and demands pull us in every direction, solitude is not a luxury—it is a vital lifeline to the heart of God. Or in my case shut out the noise and concentrate on the quietness and allow peace to come to my mind—and stop worrying about the numbers!
What does “a quiet place” mean to you? It could be someplace with absolute silence, or there might be some soft soothing sounds like possibly a gurgling stream, ocean waves, or soft music. For Moses it was a burning bush! For many it would be secluded, away from most other people unless they are like-minded and looking for peaceful quietness as well. For me, it would be near a small trickling brook or a comfy place to sit to read a book or watching waves break on a sandy shore. It might even be on a mountain top looking out over the world. It is important to find our “quiet place” in life. There are times we need to retreat from the noise of this world. Even Jesus found it necessary at times to get away from the crowds following him, and sometimes he encouraged his disciples to go with him. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:30-31 NIV. Crowds pressed in on Jesus, leaving him with no time even to eat during the constant demands of the people. He regularly and very intentionally slipped away to lonely, quiet places to pray. Jesus valued his connection and communion with the Father, above the pressure to perform miracles for the needy. He put God first—early in the day or even at the end of the busy day with people.
God’s voice does not shout over the static of our busy lives. It comes as a gentle whisper into our racing worried minds. External noise often creates internal chaos, but stillness calms the storm and stills the soul. We come to quiet places not to work or strive, but simply to be loved—we receive God’s gift of grace to us.
In the rush of daily life, our bodies often mirror our hurried souls. High blood pressure for some can be a physical alarm bell, warning us that we are carrying too much. Or in my case, I worry too much over the numbers, especially when I enter a doctor’s office! When we pull away to be quiet before God, we offer our physical bodies the sacred gift of stillness, letting His peace lower our internal storms. When I stop and think positive and breathe deep, then my numbers often improve!
“In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 . “I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child am I content.” Psalm 131:2.
Chronic stress and racing thoughts force our hearts to beat faster and our blood vessels to tighten. God designed our physical frames to need Sabbath, rhythm, and rest, and times of quiet. Being quiet is not just turning off the noise around us; it is ceasing our frantic self-reliance. When we stop striving to fix every problem, we declare that God is God and we are safely held in His hands. It shows our trust in God. Taking deep, slow breaths in a quiet space reminds me that every breath is a gift sustained by my Creator. As the air moves gently through my lungs, I can let go of the invisible pressures I carry. The pause for deep breathing becomes a time for healing.
“Lord, quiet my racing heart and calm my anxious mind. Forgive me for rushing through my days and carrying weights You never asked me to shoulder. As I sit in silence, lower the tension in my body and soothe my spirit. Remind me that my strength comes from resting in You.” Pray and let God’s Word change the way you view your health. Because you aren’t waiting for healing; you are already healed! There are Promises to remember!
Deuteronomy 28:1, 6: “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today…. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.”
Proverbs 3:8: “Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Psalm 103:3: “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Matthew 18:19: “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
Most of us know the importance of rest, but making time for it isn’t always that easy. It might help to consider it something God wants us to do and that it is a gift from Him. Make time to find your quiet place! Father in heaven, I thank you for this wonderful world and remember that even You took a day of rest after creating it. You invite me to come away with You to rest. Help me to carve out that quiet time in a quiet place to be with You and rest in your arms.
I am supposed to check my blood pressure every day. How often do I pause to check in—not only with my body, but with my soul? Are there warning signs I have been ignoring, both body and soul? “Lord, help me to be attentive to the signs You place before me—physical or spiritual—and give me courage to act.” Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us. “Lord, I walk today in gratitude for the heart You gave me.” “I admit that I have been stressed about those dreaded numbers! However, advice for me to remember—”Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. In search for the meaning for me in my blood pressure problem, I found these bits of advice: Lessons I need to learn from my Hypertension Truth 1: Just Because It’s Silent Doesn’t Mean It’s Harmless Just like spiritual wounds, hypertension can go unnoticed. Healing begins with awareness and humility. Truth 2: Emotional Stress Affects the Body Chronic stress raises blood pressure. Jesus invites us to rest in Him. (Matthew 11:28) Truth 3: Confession Can Heal the Heart—Literally Guilt and resentment raise blood pressure; forgiveness and grace offer peace. Truth 4: You Are Not Alone Healing happens when it is shared. Seek support from faith communities and nurses. Where do I need healing—physically, emotionally, spiritually? Whom can I invite to go with me into my healing journey? While prayer is powerful, it is not a substitute for medical care. God works through doctors, medicines, and treatments. I have resented the emphasis by the doctors on those dreaded numbers. Instead of the resentment: “Lord, bless the hands and hearts of those who care for my body. May I see their work as part of Your healing.”
Even small sufferings, such as living with hypertension or other health struggles, can be transformed into acts of love and faith when offered to God. Our pains and challenges, when surrendered to Him, become part of our spiritual growth and union with Christ. High blood pressure is more than a physical issue, it’s a whole-person challenge. Yet our faith tells us healing is possible when Christ reigns in both body and soul. “Jesus, reign in my heart. Fill it with Your peace. Free it from pressure, fear, and heaviness. Help me honor You through health, habits, and holiness.”
Jesus came into this world in a less-than-ideal way. Mother Mary and Father Joseph were away from their neighborhood in a place that was strange to them and with no place to stay. They had visits by smelly shepherds and stargazing foreigners. And a close escape from Herod’s hit squad. And then months turning into years while they lived as strangers again in a strange land. When Jesus was a toddler, he and his family were refugees in Egypt. What a lot they had experienced as they journeyed and lived in a new and foreign home! Yet we can imagine Mary picking up Jesus and wrapping him in her arms. And we can imagine Jesus finding comfort from her warmth and her steady breathing. Out of place in Egypt, threatened back home—none of that was a concern for little Jesus, who rested quietly in his mother’s embrace.
In several psalms and Jesus Himself invites us to snuggle against the warmth of God’s presence, to rest in God’s embrace, to trust God when the pressure is on, to trust God like Jesus trusted his mother’s arms. It can be hard to calm down, Jesus. Too much is too scary and too far beyond me. With hope in God, help me to share a quiet rest with you. My God, I am all Yours, and for all eternity I wish to belong to You alone. I do not want to be anything but Your little child who loves You and suffers out of love for You.”
I want to find that quiet place with You, God! I want Your peace and comfort! So, Where is your Quiet place?
Postscript!
Since the above writing, I had another official blood pressure check! I knew my numbers would be high! As usual! First it was an official reading, not one from at home. Then, the timing was when the rain was coming down hardest, and I got very wet—twice! Next, I had a nurse I didn’t recognize and who didn’t know me. I had to ask for no digital device, and no upper arm. Next, she had to leave to go get her stethoscope. When she attempted to take the reading, she laid down her tools and said her ears had fluid in them and she couldn’t hear. And then she said she was going to see if Jason (another nurse) was available.
My reaction was one of relief! And one of “Ooooh! my prayers are being answered right before my eyes!” Jason is my favorite BP taker. I always get a good reading when he is on duty! And today, I can tell you that I truly had an answer to prayer! When we had previously attempted a home reading, it
was high in my anticipation of the next hour! No way was I going to get a good reading at the clinic—but I DID! I had numbers that were perfect.
No one will ever convince me that God doesn’t answer prayers!