Underneath the myriad reasons we give for why we can’t take time to rest right now lurks a common root cause: We simply do not feel safe to slow down and rest. Ever.

Have you ever considered that, underneath that pile of “really good reasons” for why you just can’t slow down right now might be hiding a root cause of fear? Specifically the fear that, if you stop and stay still for any amount of time, you won’t be safe. Something bad will happen. I know, it’s uncomfortable to think about.

Years ago when I was suffering with a bout of severe postpartum anxiety, I suffered from a symptom called akithisia — a constant felt need to pace and keep moving with a severe sense of dread and heightened anxiety when you try to sit down and be still, even for a minute. I began to research the root cause of this condition and came to understand that my body actually thought I was in danger 24/7 and needed to keep moving. My nervous system kept sending signals to “MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!” I literally didn’t feel safe to rest.

But even when I got my PPA worked out and I was feeling better, I still experienced moments of dread and heightened anxiety when I thought about being still, sitting with my thoughts or simply “doing nothing.” And I began to realize that I was stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance that never really left me. And the roots I uncovered beneath hypervigilance is what prompted this podcast episode. Hypervigilance becomes a lifestyle when you don’t feel safe to rest and trust God in the moment, and it’ll run you ragged.

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, we’re digging into the protective coping mechanism called hypervigilance and how it perpetuates a lie we’ve learned at some point in our lives that we “really aren’t safe if we stay still and rest.” I’ll start us off with some Biblical truth around rest and our capacity and need for it, and then I’ll share four practical strategies for helping you to step out of hypervigilance and into the kind of trust in God that *makes* you to be able to lay down in green pastures (Psalm 23). Are you ready to rest, my friend? If so, Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let’s Go!

WANT TO GRAB AHOLD OF ONE OF THE RESOURCES OR TOOLS I RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE? One of the most effective ways to apply what we talked about in today’s episode is to grab one of the resources I mentioned so you can work through the practical strategies I suggested.
• If you need to start by setting aside a block of time each day to be still and rest, come download a copy of my Trello Block Schedule Template + Tutorial here: ericapyle.com/blockschedule.
• If you’d like some help digging into the roots underneath the fear of taking time to rest, grab a copy of the Four Questions Prayer Template here: ericapyle.com/4questions. These are four questions you can ask God in prayer that will help you to hear Him better (and faster) as you endeavor to see what’s at the root of an issue.
• Once you’ve identified the lies and/or fears that are messing with your ability to rest, you’ll want to grab the Thought Exchange Worksheet here: ericapyle.com/thoughts. This worksheet will help you to give the unproductive, negative thoughts to God so He can give you something better.
• A perfect way to practice resting daily is to have a quiet time with the Lord first thing in the morning. Want to know how to structure a 30-minute quiet time that’ll set you up for a great day? Find the Quiet Time Blueprint here: ericapyle.com/quiettime.
• If you’d like to see my essential oil aromatherapy suggestions for establishing a restful environment, check out this blog post.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Psalm 3:3-6
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Psalm 127:1-2
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Genesis 1:27 & 31; 2:1-2
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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

Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

---

Erica co-leads a local church alongside her husband, Doug, in Tampa, Florida called REVIVE Church of Tampa. You can visit the church’s website for more information about who we are, what we believe and how we show up as the Church in the heart of West Tampa and beyond.

REVIVE Church of Tampa

REVIVE Church of Tampa streams service live on Sunday mornings at 11am ET. You can find that livestream on our church Facebook page:

Live Service – Sundays at 11am ET

If you’re interested in joining the online campus of REVIVE Church of Tampa, you are welcome to join our community group on Facebook where we offer weekly discussion around the Friday and Sunday messages as well as discipleship Zoom groups and the opportunity to host others in your home as you stream services. You can find us here:

The ROCC: REVIVE Online Campus Community

---

About this podcast:

Welcome to the Positioned to Prosper Podcast with Erica Pyle, where we dive deep into Biblical mindsets, strategies, and inspiration to help you thrive in every area of your life. Whether it’s faith, health, relationships, finances, business, or ministry, Erica’s here to equip you with the tools you need to get unstuck, overcome overwhelm, and avoid burnout as you pursue your purpose with intention.

Join Erica, co-lead pastor of REVIVE Church of Tampa, and founder/lead mentor of The Jesus Girl Gang, an online, group coaching mentorship for Christian women with a pioneering spirit, as she shares powerful teachings, practical advice, and pivotal strategies for breakthrough living without compromising on the things that matter most to you. With over 13 years of experience in pastoral ministry alongside her husband Doug, Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and a passionate heart for helping you live out God’s best for your life.

Each week, tune in for transformative insights that will empower you to build a Kingdom business or ministry, nurture your personal well-being, and create balanced, prosperous relationships. If you’re a faith-driven woman seeking to align your life with God’s purpose, you’re in the right place.

Connect with Erica on Social For More Daily Encouragement, Strategy & Inspiration:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ericapyle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ericapyle.biz

Subscribe to Erica’s Email List and We’ll Send You New Podcast Episodes and More: