The Pace of Grace Blog

short walks benefit mental health

Will Time Outside Improve Your Mental Health?

Would it surprise you to learn the average American spends more than 7 hours looking at a screen each day? (DataReportal 2022 Global Overview Report). Or maybe that doesn’t surprise you? Do you find yourself inclined to retreat at home to reduce stressful daily interactions, taking care of as much as you can with the…
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Consider the Sunflowers

Consider the Sunflowers

Thanks to record-breaking rainfall in June, the fields I walk past in my neighborhood have flourished green and now abound with colorful wildflowers. The ones that captivate me most are the vibrant yellow sunflowers, which have grown impressively tall this year. On a recent walk, I stopped to take photos to document their dramatic growth.…
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Are You Waiting for the Divine Green Light?

Are You Waiting for the Divine Green Light?

As I’ve continued to process all the wise words and practical advice shared at She Speaks 2023, one quote comes to the forefront almost daily, courtesy of the dynamic author and spoken poetry artist Hosanna Wong. Hosanna was a new speaker to me and clearly gifted at communicating God’s truth in words that captivate and…
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Butterfly Living Life Changing Series

ButterflyLiving Life Changing Stories Coming Soon

It’s time to announce that the book I was blessed to collaborate on, ButterflyLiving Life-Changing Stories, will be released next month, so stay tuned for launch details! I’m so grateful to my She Speaks sister in Christ Mary Armand for giving me this opportunity to join her and 32 other gifted authors in creating a collection of…
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Let Your Message Grow Like a Field

Let Your Message Grow Like a Field

The quote pictured here is just one of my favorite takeaways from author Jennifer Dukes Lee, who shared on the topic of posting engaging content to make your social media grow at She Speaks 2023. When I saw Jennifer’s name on the She Speaks speaker roster this spring, I was thrilled to know I’d get…
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Collaboration News on the Horizon

Collaboration News on the Horizon

I promised more to my She Speaks story—and I will be sharing more VERY soon—but today I just wanted to give a shoutout of gratitude to my She Speaks sister in Christ Mary Armand! Mary was one of my first new friends at She Speaks 2022, and now I’m blessed to be collaborating with her,…
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Why Does This Suddenly Feel Like Sin?

Why Does This Suddenly Feel Like Sin?

Transforming Truth: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” —Romans 6:22 (ESV) Our attentive server whisked over to our table with a small dish holding two brightly seasoned wedges of freshly baked focaccia bread.…
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When God's Will Doesn't Include Healing

When God’s Will Doesn’t Include Healing

Transforming Truth: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he…
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Why Should I Meditate on Scripture?

Why Should I Meditate on Scripture?

Transforming Truth: “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.” — Psalm 119:148 The sliver of moonlight penetrating a thin gap between the slightly short blackout curtains on my bedroom window grew more intense as drawn-out minutes of sleeplessness turned into hours. I lay wide awake—yet again—trying to…
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Trusting God With Our Best-Laid Plans

Trusting God With Our Best-Laid Plans

Transforming Truth: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” —Proverbs 19:21 ESV I was happy to see a familiar face behind the customer service counter as I hopped into line at our local Hobby Lobby. This sweet young lady had checked…
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short walks benefit mental health

Short Nature Walks Can Benefit Mental Health

Did you know research confirms that short nature walks benefit mental health? Recent studies also report that consistent walking—and specifically walking in nature—provides significant mental health benefits to those experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. An article published in Medical News Today last summer reported that a short walk each day could reduce depression symptoms. Researchers…
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Can God Work This for My Good

Can God Work Even This for Good?

I couldn’t tell you how many times I have prayed Paul’s words from the perspective-shifting promise found in Romans 8:28 while struggling to stay afloat in overwhelming storms. Believing that our sovereign God works all things (not just some) together (not separately) for His purposes provides the soul-steadying peace we need to sustain us until…
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