Rediscovering Strength Through Connection with God

Summary

In a world that is moving faster than ever, with anxiety, depression, and loneliness on the rise, it’s easy to lose ourselves in the chaos. Many of us are running at an unsustainable pace, disconnected not only from others but even from our own souls. The solution is not just to slow down, but to intentionally reconnect with our Creator. When we lose connection with God, we lose sight of who we truly are and the unique design He has for our lives. Rediscovering God’s rhythm for us means stepping away from the world’s expectations and returning to the One who knows us best.

God designed us to thrive when we spend time with Him. Psalm 46:10 calls us to “be still and know that I am God,” reminding us that knowing God requires stillness and intentionality. Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will find fresh strength, soar like eagles, and run without growing weary. This isn’t about abandoning a busy life, but about fueling our lives with God’s presence so we can run at the pace He intended for us.

A healthy rhythm begins with slowing down and engaging deeply with God’s Word. Scripture is not just a religious duty; it is food for our souls, the source of our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. When we read the Bible, we should first ask, “Who is God?” then, “Who am I?” and finally, “What is God instructing me to do?” Sharing what we learn with others deepens our understanding and builds up those around us. We can also benefit from the insights of others who have walked with God and studied His Word.

Prayer is the other essential ingredient. It’s more than presenting our needs; it’s a continual conversation with God, listening for His whisper and seeking to be a blessing to others. Sometimes, planned times of prayer are difficult to maintain, so we can start by cultivating continual prayer—turning our thoughts to God throughout the day, in every moment. As we grow in this, it will naturally lead to more intentional, focused times of prayer. A simple roadmap for prayer includes declaring who God is, confessing and repenting, thanking Him, and trusting Him for the future.

The formula for fresh strength is simple: God’s Word plus prayer, multiplied by waiting on God. This is how we find the strength, hope, and joy we long for. When we make space for God’s presence, we discover a new fuel for life—one that lifts us above the chaos and empowers us to live as God intended.

Key Takeaways

- Reconnection with God is essential for rediscovering our true selves and God’s unique design for our lives. When we lose touch with our Creator, we become like a phone without service—present, but powerless. Only by returning to God can we regain clarity about our identity and purpose. [17:29]

- Stillness before God is the gateway to knowing Him deeply. In a culture that values constant motion, learning to “be still and know” God is a radical act of faith. It is in the quiet, unhurried moments that God reveals Himself and renews our strength, enabling us to run at the pace He designed for us. [21:59]

- Engaging with God’s Word is not about obligation, but about nourishment and transformation. When we approach Scripture to know God, discover who we are, and receive His direction, it becomes the fuel for our souls. Sharing what we learn with others not only deepens our own understanding but also builds up the community of faith. [30:23]

- Prayer is most powerful when it shifts from self-centered requests to a posture of listening and blessing others. Asking God questions and waiting for His guidance opens us to His wisdom and aligns our hearts with His purposes. Continual prayer—turning our thoughts to God throughout the day—cultivates intimacy and keeps us anchored in His presence. [36:57]

- Building a healthy spiritual rhythm requires both continual and intentional prayer, guided by a simple framework: declare God’s greatness, confess and repent, give thanks, and trust Him for the future. This rhythm is not about religious duty, but about creating space for God to pour fresh strength into our lives, enabling us to soar above life’s challenges. [42:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Series Introduction: Get Used to It
[03:05] - Recap: Living Opposite the World
[05:20] - The Challenge of Today’s Pace
[08:45] - The Epidemic of Anxiety and Loneliness
[12:30] - Rediscovering Ourselves by Reconnecting with God
[17:29] - Rediscovering God’s Design and Rhythm
[20:43] - Rebuilding Healthy Rhythms
[21:59] - The Power of Stillness and Waiting on God
[23:35] - Fresh Strength in God’s Presence
[24:30] - Jesus’ Example: Slowing Down to Connect
[30:23] - Making God’s Word Central
[32:08] - Learning from Spiritual Guides
[33:56] - The Role of Prayer in Healthy Rhythms
[35:27] - Shifting Prayer from Needs to Listening
[39:05] - Practicing Continual Prayer
[42:15] - A Simple Roadmap for Prayer
[47:52] - The Formula for Fresh Strength
[49:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
> but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
> they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
> they shall run and not be weary;
> they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
> “Be still, and know that I am God.
> I will be exalted among the nations,
> I will be exalted in the earth!”

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)
> And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what are the results for those who “wait for the Lord”? What images does the verse use to describe this?
2. In Psalm 46:10, what does God command us to do, and what is the purpose of that command?
3. Based on Deuteronomy 8:3, what does the passage say about the importance of God’s Word in our lives?
4. The sermon compared losing connection with God to a cell phone without service. What happens to us spiritually when we lose that connection? [[17:29]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that “stillness before God is the gateway to knowing Him deeply.” Why do you think stillness is so important for spiritual growth, especially in our fast-paced world? [[21:59]]
2. The pastor described God’s Word as “food for our souls.” In what ways can engaging with Scripture impact our mental, emotional, and spiritual health? [[27:00]]
3. The sermon suggests that prayer should shift from self-centered requests to listening and blessing others. How might this change the way we experience prayer and our relationship with God? [[35:27]]
4. The formula given was “God’s Word plus prayer, multiplied by waiting on God.” What does it look like practically to “wait on God” in your daily life? [[47:52]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that many of us are running at an unsustainable pace and feel disconnected from God and even ourselves. What are some specific ways your current pace of life might be affecting your spiritual health? Is there a practical step you can take this week to slow down? [[20:43]]
2. “Be still and know that I am God” is a simple command, but often hard to practice. What is one thing you could do this week to create space for stillness before God? (For example: turning off your phone for 10 minutes, going for a walk without distractions, etc.) [[21:59]]
3. When you read the Bible, do you usually approach it as a duty, or as nourishment for your soul? How could you change your approach to Scripture this week to make it more about knowing God and less about checking a box? [[27:00]]
4. The sermon suggested asking three questions when reading Scripture: “Who is God? Who am I? What is God instructing me to do?” Try this with a passage this week. What did you discover, and how did it affect you? [[27:00]]
5. The pastor encouraged sharing what you learn from God’s Word with others. Who is one person you could share a recent insight or encouragement from Scripture with this week? How might this help both you and them grow? [[30:23]]
6. Prayer was described as a continual conversation with God, not just a scheduled event. What is one way you could practice “continual prayer” throughout your day? (For example: short prayers while driving, before meetings, or during breaks.) [[39:05]]
7. The roadmap for prayer included: declaring who God is, confessing and repenting, thanking Him, and trusting Him for the future. Which of these steps do you find most challenging, and how could you intentionally include it in your prayers this week? [[42:15]]

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Closing Thought:
When we make space for God’s presence through His Word and prayer, and learn to wait on Him, we find the strength, hope, and joy we long for. What is one thing you will commit to this week to help you reconnect with God’s rhythm for your life?

Devotional

Day 1: Waiting on God Brings Fresh Strength
When life feels overwhelming and your energy is depleted, God invites you to slow down and wait in His presence. True strength is not found in striving harder or running faster, but in pausing to be with God, allowing Him to renew your spirit. Just as Jesus withdrew to pray after moments of great activity, you are called to step away from the noise and busyness to reconnect with your Creator. In these moments of stillness, God promises to give you fresh strength, enabling you to soar above your challenges, run without growing weary, and walk without lagging behind. Make it a priority to carve out time to be still before God, trusting that He will meet you there and empower you for the journey ahead. [23:35]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally slow down this week to wait on God, even if it means saying no to something else?


Day 2: Be Still and Know God
In a world that constantly demands your attention and pushes you to move faster, God’s invitation is simple yet profound: “Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness is not just the absence of activity, but a posture of the heart that makes space for God’s presence. When you quiet your mind and set aside distractions, you open yourself to truly know God—not just know about Him, but experience Him relationally. This kind of knowing brings peace, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose. Take time today to be still, to listen, and to let God reveal Himself to you in the quiet. [21:59]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: When was the last time you set aside all distractions to simply be still before God? What might you need to change to make this a regular practice?


Day 3: God’s Word is Food for the Soul
Just as your body needs daily nourishment, your soul needs the life-giving sustenance of God’s Word. Scripture is not just a religious obligation or a box to check; it is the very source of spiritual, emotional, and mental health. When you read and study the Bible with the desire to know God, you discover who He is, who you are, and what He is calling you to do. Let God’s Word become your daily bread, fueling you for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Don’t settle for a quick verse—immerse yourself in the richness of Scripture and let it transform you from the inside out. [27:55]

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)
"And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to make God’s Word a more central part of your daily routine?


Day 4: Prayer is a Continual Conversation
Prayer is more than a scheduled activity; it is an ongoing, never-ending conversation with God. Whether you find it difficult to set aside planned times for prayer or not, God invites you to talk with Him throughout your day—in the quiet moments, in the busyness, and even in the midst of your thoughts. Continual prayer keeps your heart attuned to God’s voice and presence, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for connection. As you practice this discipline, you’ll find that your hunger for deeper, more purposeful times of prayer will grow, and your relationship with God will become more vibrant and alive. [39:05]

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
"Pray without ceasing."

Reflection: What are some “daydream moments” in your daily routine where you can intentionally turn your thoughts into prayerful conversation with God?


Day 5: Rebuilding Healthy Rhythms with God
To thrive spiritually, emotionally, and physically, you must rebuild healthy rhythms that center your life on God’s Word and prayer. This means slowing down, reconnecting with your Creator, rediscovering His unique design for your life, and intentionally creating space for Him in your daily schedule. As you do, you’ll find that your hope and happiness increase, while anxiety and loneliness decrease. God’s formula for fresh strength is simple: God’s Word plus prayer, multiplied by waiting on Him. Let this rhythm become the foundation of your life, and watch as God renews your strength and leads you into a life of purpose and peace. [47:52]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What is one unhealthy rhythm or habit you need to replace with a God-centered practice this week, and how will you take the first step?

Quotes

Tell others what you discovered in God's word. You know what Christians do? Christians are in God's word and here's what Christians do. They share what they discover with others. Get used to it. This is what we do. Yeah, we do this over coffee. We do this at lunch. We do this at a work break. We do this on the phone. We do this on the internet. We share what God's sharing with us. Get used to it. [00:30:58] (27 seconds)  #MoreGodsWordBetter Edit Clip Translate Clip

Prayer is basically this. It's quieting all the other noises and listening for the whisper of God. That's what it is. I mean, in its essence, can I quiet the other noises in this world, and can I get with God in a way that actually listens for the whisper of God? But prayer is also never-ending. It's a never-ending conversation with God. [00:34:25] (26 seconds)  #PrayToBlessOthers Edit Clip Translate Clip

When you pray, pray less about your needs and pray more about how you can be a blessing for others. I would say get used to that as a Christian. A Christian, a true follower of Jesus is not just about their needs in prayer. It's about, God, how can I be a greater blessing for others? Just incorporate it into your prayer and just see how your prayer changes. [00:35:37] (30 seconds)  #ListenMorePrayLess Edit Clip Translate Clip

Declare who God is, that's where you start. God you are awesome, Lord you are amazing, you're the creator of all things, Lord, Lord you speak and the sun, the sun lights up, Lord you form, you formed me in my mom in my mother's womb, like God you are off the charts amazing and just start talking about the awe of God. Let that lead you to repentance and confession and now you're in the presence of an almighty powerful God what should it do what should be happening to you there should be conviction going on and let God remind you of the moments where you need to come back to him and humble your heart and repent and confess to the Lord get your heart lined up with his heart. [00:44:03] (40 seconds) Edit Clip Translate Clip

``God's word plus prayer times waiting on God is where you're going to get fresh strength. That's the formula. It's not just God's word and prayer, it's God's word plus prayer slowing down waiting on God you find fresh strength now all of a sudden you find fresh strength now all of a sudden you find fresh strength now all of a sudden you're running at a pace that you never have been able to run before because the fuel source changed. Now your happiness meter, your hope meter goes up. Your loneliness meter goes down. Your anxiety goes down. Depression goes down. Why? Because God's word and prayer are becoming the fuel as you're waiting upon the Lord. [00:47:25] (49 seconds) Edit Clip Translate Clip