“...for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

If you have ever been on a Christian retreat, you know exactly where I am right now. I call it the Post-Retreat Blur.

Our pastoral team returned this past Friday after having spent two days of rest, reflection, and fellowship in Black Mountain, North Carolina.  For forty-eight hours, my life was simple. It was worship, deep conversations, quiet mornings, lots of laughter, and a tangible sense that the Holy Spirit had invaded that mountain.  In the sacred space that became my private room in the lodge, He moved with precision. He brought a divine clarity to a few things He’s been nudging me about—those deep-rooted 'somethings' I had been too busy to address. As God’s Spirit moved, the heavy fog of the world began to dissipate. My heart felt weightless, my spiritual vision became much clearer, and for the first time in far too long, the internal noise fell silent—leaving room for the only voice that actually matters.

But then … the ride home happened. Coming off the "mountain" and back into the "valley" of real life is a total system shock. While on retreat, the atmosphere was thick with a peace so heavy it felt like a shield. Then, in the quiet of my room, it was just me, the Holy Spirit, and a level of worship that felt like standing on the edge of heaven. In those moments, His voice was the only frequency I could hear. But now that I’m back, that peace feels terrifyingly fragile—like a thin glass jar I’m trying to carry through a crowded room without shattering.

I find myself bracing for the first 'loud' thing to break it. I’m mourning the silence, feeling as though the intimacy I found there is drifting away with every mile I travel from the retreat grounds.

But the Holy Spirit whispered a correction to my heart this morning: The peace I felt wasn't tied to the architecture of the retreat center or the solitude of my room in the lodge. Those weren't the sources of the Spirit; they were just the containers. If the Spirit of God lives within me, then I am not a person trying to protect a fragile peace—I am the temple of the Prince of Peace Himself.

I realize the 'fragility' I feel is my soul adjusting to the noise. The intimacy isn't distant; it’s just transitioning from a 'visit' to a 'dwelling.' I don’t have to go back to the mountain to find Him; I just have to remember that the same Spirit who met me in the quiet of that room is currently standing in the middle of my chaos, waiting for me to exhale, acknowledge Him again, and invite Him into the mundane. He’s in the laundry room, too.

During the retreat, I wrote down three specific things the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. Today, they feel somewhat harder to believe than they did a week ago. But, I’m choosing to honor those words as truth, even when my "to-do list" tries to drown them out.

• I’m resisting the urge to jump back into 100 mph life.
• I’m keeping my phone on "Do Not Disturb" for one more hour.
• I’m keeping the worship playlist on repeat in my kitchen.

If you’re feeling a little "blue" today, or if the world feels a bit too loud, give yourself some grace. We often imagine that "time with God" requires a retreat center, a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, a house so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat. But for most of us, life is a "game of calendar Tetris"—a whirlwind of laundry, school pick-up and drop-off lines, grocery shopping, and never-ending notifications.

The good news? God doesn’t wait for the chaos to subside before He shows up. He is a "very present help in trouble," right in the middle of the chaos. Oftentimes, we tell ourselves that we need to create the perfect moment and setting to spend time with the Lord, but rather than waiting for the ideal moment, what if we invite Him into the exact moment we are in?

What does that look like? Allow me to share a few personal practices of my own—a few ways I invite the Holy Spirit to join me throughout my day, especially in moments of stress. 

• Turn your car into a “personal sanctuary” by exchanging sports or talk radio for worship music or a Christian podcast.
• Pray while the coffee brews. While your coffee drips into the pot, read a Psalm or offer Him your schedule for the day ahead.
• When you sense your stress level rising. Maybe a deadline is looming, or the kids are wild, and you don’t have space for an extended time of prayer, use breath prayers synced with your breathing. Try this:
  • Inhale: “Lord, give me…” Exhale: “...Your peace.” (x 3)
  • Inhale: “I am…” Exhale: “...held by You.” (x 3)
• While folding laundry, intercede in prayer for the person whose clothes you are folding.

Jesus never promised that following Him would mean an easy, stress-free life. In fact, quite the opposite, for He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)

This verse is a powerful reminder that chaos and trouble are not signs of spiritual failure–they are a guaranteed part of life. But the flow of peace doesn’t depend on your circumstances or the perfect environment; it depends on the One who has already secured the victory.

One of my favorite hymns from childhood is Victory In Jesus. The song speaks of a victory secured “long ago.” Dear friend, when your current “chaos” feels overwhelming, look to the cross. If Jesus could overcome death, He can certainly handle your Thursday.

There is power in declaring the truth out loud. Even if you just hum the chorus, would you allow the words “Victory in Jesus, my Savior Forever” to drown out the noise of your to-do list?

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

In Numbers 6:24-26, the Lord (God) speaks to Moses, commanding him to instruct Aaron and his sons (the priests) to pronounce a blessing over the Israelites. I want to allow this blessing to have the final word over you today.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
— Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Peace be with you, under the wings of Jehovah Shalom ~
Pastor Jen