In our bustling, fast-paced world, the concept of stillness can often seem alien, if not downright impossible. But as we learn from Gretchen Saffles, embracing stillness and our weaknesses can bring us closer to God and foster a deeper sense of inner peace.

Gretchen and Stephanie discuss the challenge of being still and overcoming the need for constant productivity. Advised by her Christian counselor to be still before the Lord for just one minute, Gretchen discovered this simple exercise to be remarkably challenging, due to her ingrained belief in the importance of constant productivity. She realized that her busy life and the demands of various activities had clouded her mind and distanced her from a genuine relationship with God. Through this journey, she learned that stillness and simplicity are not just luxuries, but essential spiritual disciplines. Taking time to be still before the Lord is an act of submission, a recognition that God is in control.

Unlike some forms of secular meditation, which emphasize emptying the mind, biblical meditation involves filling the mind with God's truths. Gretchen found Christ in this practice, which helped her redirect her focus from worldly anxieties to divine wisdom. Gretchen is learning to take a slow, reflective approach to reading Scripture, often meditating on a single verse or passage for an extended period. This method allows her to absorb the Word deeply and apply it practically in her life. Currently, she is reading the Bible chronologically, finding fresh insights in the Beatitudes.

Stephanie and Gretchan talk about embracing weakness as strength, and finding God’s power in our weak moments.  In a culture that idolizes strength and self-reliance, embracing weakness can seem counterintuitive. Yet Gretchen and Stephanie both emphasize that true Christian strength shines brightest in our moments of weakness. They cite biblical examples like Moses and Paul, whose infirmities highlighted God's power and grace. This theology of suffering is rooted deeply in scripture, reminding us that sharing in Christ’s sufferings leads to a more intimate relationship with God. Philippians 3:10 encapsulates this truth: knowing Christ through both the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings brings us closer to Him.

Gretchen shares a poignant anecdote about her grandmother, who lived with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Despite immense physical pain, her grandmother's life radiated God's power, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Wisdom is a treasure for life, made possible through a slow, meditative approach to Scripture reading. Gretchen’s insights into wisdom reveal it as a treasure that points to Christ, wisdom personified. Her slow, meditative approach to reading Scripture allows time for absorption and contemplation, fostering a deeper connection with God’s Word. This method reinforces the importance of letting the Holy Spirit guide our understanding of Scripture.

Gretchen attributes much of her wisdom and love for the book of Proverbs to her mother. Her upbringing in a busy ministry home showed her that all good works should stem from a profound relationship with God, not just from a sense of duty.

“Soul Scrubbing” is the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Word to cleanse and renew us. Gretchen uses the metaphor of "soul scrubbing" to describe how the Holy Spirit uses the Word to cleanse our minds and souls. This practice involves more than just a cursory reading of Scripture. It calls for a deep dive into God's truths, allowing them to renew and transform us. She has been focusing on meditating on God's love, recently finding new significance in John 3:16. Recognizing the necessity of mental, physical, and spiritual rest, she strives to rest in God’s love, which fosters deeper intimacy with Him.

For those feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, Saffles's book "Word Over World" offers a heartfelt guide to rediscovering intimacy with God. It's a reminder that even in our busiest moments, God's love and wisdom are always within reach, waiting for us in the stillness.

MORE ABOUT "WORD OVER WORLD"

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
When you think about your life and what you value, what would you put first? When you read God’s Word, are you doing so out of duty or out of a desire to delight in your Savior? When all we give Jesus is our leftovers, fear overwhelms our peace and worry clouds our vision.

Gretchen Saffles knows what it’s like to struggle to put Jesus first daily. During a season of spiritual discouragement, she learned that pursuing God is ultimately not a self-help journey, but rather it’s a Spirit-led surrender. This discovery led her to a simple phrase that helped her reframe how she desired to spend her time, start her days, and shape her mindset: Word before World. This three-word statement has become her morning manifesto, her afternoon anthem, and her evening comfort. When she practiced looking first to Jesus, she realized that while God’s Word never changes, yet it always changes us.

In Word before World you’ll discover ways to:

Conquer the daily distractions that get in the way of time with God

Develop a daily rhythm of seeking Jesus

Set aside your phone, lists, and plans in order to seek direction and nourishment in God’s Word instead

Transform your worldview, schedule, dreams, and desires to align with God’s purpose for your life.

Cultivate a deep love for God in this 100-day devotional journey to experience God’s faithfulness and goodness. Put God’s Word before the distractions of this world, believing that he will meet your every need.

MORE ABOUT GRETCHEN SAFFLES:

Gretchen Saffles is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to drink deeply from the well of God's Word and to find their identity and purpose in Christ. She is the founder of Well-Watered Women, an online ministry that reaches women worldwide with the hope of the gospel. She has written several Bible studies and is the creator of the Give Me Jesus journal, a tool to help women study Scripture daily. On any given day you can find her with a cup of coffee in hand, a message stirring in her soul, and a God-sized dream on her heart. Gretchen lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Greg, and her two sons, Nolan and Haddon.

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!