A Moment to Be Still

1 day ago
5 min read

I've been feeling the effects of a culmination of things I've gone through since Summer 2023. In the beginning of 2026, I noticed I was dwindling and that's when I confirmed nothing was the same. Subsequently, I shut my social calendar down and took some time for myself after my birthday party. One of the most notable signs that I needed a pause was the way things were not working out for me. First, there were issues I dealt with while traveling on my birthday trip in January. I missed my flight after trying to run off of two hours of sleep. I booked another flight out of Orlando then drove there just to encounter multiple flight delays which resulted in me cancelling the flight altogether. I went back home feeling so defeated. I attempted to travel again from Jacksonville the next day, and my flight was delayed by three hours!! I did not arrive at the resort until 8 PM. The day was done and so was I. Second, I applied to work the Super Bowl and All-Star Weekend and attend the NAACP Image Awards but was not selected for any of the events. Though bummed, I knew it was for the best despite imagining how much fun I would have had. I'm learning (the hard way) to discern the difference between being halted due to resistance that I needed to push through and conversely protection from things that aren’t meant to be.

February was a time of recovery and refreshing from an elevated stress level and various hardships I've faced. My nervous system had been operating out of survival and flight-or-fight modes that left me feeling tired and wired but still unable to unwind. The way I was pushing myself with a little amount of sleep was very unhealthy for me. I knew I wasn't depressed but wasn't feeling like myself either. Then, I researched the term “functional freeze” and it gave a name to the state I was in. I learned that functional freeze is a response triggered by stressful and overwhelming situations. The symptoms are hardly detectable because routines and daily tasks are still carried out despite the underlying internal struggles. Although I'm not fond of labels, it was enlightening to be informed about what I was experiencing and how to overcome it.

God gives the strength and wisdom to care for others but doesn't want us to be empty. In Matthew 11:28, the Lord offers an invitation to those who are heavy laden. The verse says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This rest isn't just referring to sleep. It's rest from dysfunction, chaos, toxic environments, constant busyness, mental crises, and emotional turmoil. This type of rest gives peace that surpasses all understanding. Only God can give that.

John 10:10 shares the devil’s ill intentions and how Jesus’ purpose counteracts. The enemy deploys various means of attacks to wear down the children of God. He wants to destroy our families, finances, faith level, relationships, beliefs, vision, and overall well-being. The latter half of John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came so we would have life and have it more abundantly. Therefore, the weariness, stress, and heaviness don't belong to us. We are implored to cast those burdens on the Lord so that we may flourish.

So, after being the strong one that troubleshooted and supported others for so long, I was in need of a refreshing. What was intended to be a two-week sabbatical, turned into a whole month. I stepped back to be more present with my loved ones, goals, and myself. The Prophetic Reset devotional I read was really the driving force in getting recalibrated. I entered a consecration seeking a strategy for an ongoing situation I was dealing with and what's next to come consequently. I got more out of it than I anticipated. It is my desire to freelance full-time as a model and administrative assistant. I sought the Lord to give me a plan to make the transition a reality. During this time, I discovered opportunities for the next direction of my career which gave me greater clarity.

A major shift I made was in my mindset. I felt frazzled from doing too much solo which caused me to stretch myself thin. The chaos needed order! As I entered a new era, I brought structure to it by thoughtfully crafting my days around priorities that would bring productivity. Reading emails from a creator who was also restructuring the way they were orchestrating things affirmed this season of slowing down and doing less to regroup and prepare for the busyness ahead. It wasn’t until I released my old mindset that God gave me a vision for my new life. I can't afford to stay where I am so I'm clearing space for the life I want to live and the example I want to lead.

Ways I strived to de-stress and regulate my nervous system:

Recognized the state I was in
Stayed home if feeling fatigued instead of pushing through the exhaustion
Limited the amount of daily tasks
Did stimulating activities such as working out and doing word search puzzles
Be mindful of the amount of mystery/crime movies and tv shows I consumed
Not internalize people’s problems
Longer response times to messages and emails
Casted my burdens on the Lord

De-stressing is not a one-step process. It requires a series of actions to relieve stress and cope in a healthy way. Utilizing the practices above helped me feel lighter.

A decline in one’s mental and/or emotional health can happen suddenly or maybe as the result of a slow fade. Take a moment to be still. Recognizing the signs, casting heavy burdens, slowing down, and implementing healthy coping mechanisms are ways to attain inner prosperity. Life is a wild journey, but your well-being is worth the investment. May this blog post bring peace and relief on your quest for fulfillment and wholeness.

Written with grace,

Kiala

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, say this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. I believe in my heart that You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You, Lord, for saving me in Jesus' name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, then congratulations! All of your sins are now forgiven and you have been born again. Heaven is rejoicing!

Worship playlist:

Fred Hammond & RFC - Just to Be Close to You

Brent Jones- Closer than Close and Closer Than Close/Love Songs To The Lord

Mary Alessi- Lord of the Breakthrough

Cece Winans- Just to Be Close to You

Quarter One moves/wins: