By Amanda Johnson
Life pulls on all of us. Whether through work, family, ministry, caregiving, or simply the weight of daily struggles, we all carry things that wear us down. Over time, even the strongest hearts can grow weary emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Psalm 46:1 reassures us: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” But verse 10 offers a holy invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness isn’t just about rest; it’s about surrender. It’s where healing begins. In quiet moments, God meets us not with judgment, but with gentle restoration.
In Matthew 13:47–50, Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a net cast into the sea, gathering all kinds of fish. But all fishermen know nets catch more than just fish. They pull in seaweed, sand, broken shells, and debris. Pulling that full net ashore takes real strength, and if the net isn’t properly cleaned, it begins to rot.
This is a picture of the soul. We all pick up things we were never meant to carry: pain, disappointment, worry, guilt, fear, distraction. And just like those nets, if we don’t regularly tend to our hearts, spiritual rot sets in. Even the strongest believer becomes weak when burdened with debris.
Without stillness before God, we lose the strength to live, serve, and love well. But in His presence, we are renewed. Sometimes the cleansing is gentle. Sometimes, like a torn net, parts of our lives need to be cut away, examined, and restored. The process may be slow…but it’s holy.
God doesn’t ask us to fix ourselves. He simply asks us to come.
Matthew 6:33 reminds us: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Before we pour ourselves into others, we must sit with the One who fills us. When we seek Him first, everything else begins to fall into place.
If your heart feels heavy, your spirit dull, or your life cluttered: Come to Him. Be still. Be in His Word. Let Him clear out the debris, heal the worn places, and restore your strength.
Because a clean net is ready to be cast… and that net is you.
About Amanda
Amanda is a faith-based therapist with ABCFM’s Living Well and serves as the Assistant Director of the Family Centered Treatment program. She leads with compassion, humility, and a deep belief in the healing power of Jesus and authentic connection. Amanda sees her work as both a calling and a privilege — to sit with others in the vulnerable spaces of their stories, holding hope even in the hardest place. Amanda believes that restoration is possible and that every person is created for wholeness, purpose, and love. Her therapeutic approach is relational, spiritually informed, and trauma-aware; seeking to reflect the inherent worth and dignity of each individual, creating space for healing, growth, and transformation. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, Amanda views therapy as a journey of reconciliation— one shaped by courage, curiosity, and connection.