When stress fills our days, we tend to shift into survival mode. On this edition of Live the Promise, Susie talks with author Bonnie Gray about her book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace in times of busyness. We look at how to build margin into our lives and learn to live in peace and intimacy.

In Bonnie’s words whitespace is,

“the space on a page left unmarked, untouched; it gives the eye a place to rest.”

Similarly, our souls need spiritual whitespace – a space left open and ready for us to meet with God. What gets in the way of our spiritual rest?

• Busyness
• Unresolved healing and past hurts
• Spiritual warfare

Bonnie shares her own experience wrestling with panic attacks.

“Every night, every 2-3 hours I would be jolted awake, choking… At first I didn’t even know they were called panic attacks. I sat there at the therapist’s office feeling completely ashamed… it just seemed so taboo to say to somebody that you’re going to see a therapist. I asked God, ‘Why would You allow this to happen now when I’m a mom? Right as I’m writing my first book?’ I just didn’t understand why. It’s the question that haunts us – why?”

Through counseling Bonnie was able to sort through her past and start to uncover and heal the memories she had long since forgotten. God opened up spiritual whitespaces in her life so He could come and offer true rest.

Bonnie points out that many people approach rest improperly – we either feel guilty for making time for ourselves, or we see rest as an escape from hard things. “We’re not trying to get away from the stresses of life. It’s about asking, what would soothe my heart? It takes faith to do things for the Lord, but it takes a lot of faith to live a life that’s restful.” When we live in true rest, we’re choosing to live as God’s workmanship, in “soul freedom.” It’s a messy, scary journey, but as Bonnie says, “It just means you’re coming home.”

Key Scriptures: Matthew 11:28

Theme Song: The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe

Highlight : Defining spiritual whitespace

Learning to find the whitespace