When we have a lot to do or we’re feeling very emotional, we sometimes go through our days without thinking much about what we’re doing. It’s like we’re moving on instinct or just copying things we’ve learned before. This way of living doesn’t do us any good. It can affect our inner peace, our emotional well-being, and even our health. It can also lead to us hurting the people around us. When we’re just reacting and not really considering our actions, it means we’re not really mindful about what we’re doing.
Practicing a pause before reacting can help us be more mindful of our reactions, it can increase our connections with others, and it can create many other lasting positive effects. We can have enhanced positive conversations with our coworkers, our spouses, and our children when we take a minute to pause before reacting. Our stress levels can decrease, causing a healthier and stable body. Our mental pressure in stressful situations will drastically decrease.
Scriptural Application-Mindful Pausing
Several scripture references are relevant to this idea of mindful pausing. Provided below is 5 different scriptural lessons we can apply to our lives while working on mindful pausing.
Pause to hear what someone is saying, pause before responding, and pause before reacting out of anger or wrath.
James 1:19 be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
Pause to reflect and ponder your thoughts, actions, and feelings. Do they line up with the word of God? Do they demonstrate your love for His commandments?
Joshua 23:11 "take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God."
Mindfully pause to recognize and remember your Saviour and your God.
Psalm 30:4 "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness."
Pause to express gratitude.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Mindfully pause to be grateful for others
Philippians 2:3 "Let nothing be done though strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Practical Application-Mindful Pausing
This week, take time to draw awareness to moments when you have been reactive and need to push the “pause button” on your thoughts, feelings, or actions.
Take some time to pause:
- before reacting out of anger
- before responding
- to appreciate the moment.
- and reflect
- during a busy day to give thanks to God.
- before jumping to conclusions
- to give thanks for a meal
- during a conversation
- before disciplining your child
- to remember your Saviour
- at the end of the day to recognize and appreciate the small things
- to give others the benefits of the doubt
- when you’re giving a speech/lecture/sermon
- to recognize your surroundings
- and ponder
- while someone is talking, and listen
- before saying something negative
- and reframe your thoughts