How God’s Creation Restores Your Heart, Mind, and Soul

Have you ever had one of those weeks? You know the kind. Every day has presented a new challenge, along with frustrations to deal with and solutions to find. It could be related to an illness, trying to manage multiple appointments, making those phone calls that don’t seem to resolve issues, dealing with relationship challenges, or maybe those common feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or a low mood that many of us experience. Let’s see how God’s creation restores your heart, mind, and soul.

During my years in law enforcement, I realized how important it is to take the time to reset and recharge. Restoration is essential for returning to our daily lives with a sense of peace and calmness. There’s something about nature that really draws me in – I feel a deep connection when surrounded by God’s incredible creation. Spending time outside in peaceful solitude with God and His beautiful creation is truly the perfect medicine I need. I gradually notice my frustrations easing away, and my mood feels more balanced.

I appreciate how The Message Bible beautifully describes Philippians 4:6-7:

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life”.

The Creator of the universe has crafted this stunning natural world, a place that beautifully restores our heart, mind, and soul. God’s Word tells us that everything God created is good and should be received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4). 

Medical Professionals Tell Patients To Spend Time Outdoors

You may ask, “Does spending time in nature work”? Here is something interesting to consider: Medical professionals are recommending that their patients spend time outdoors to enhance their mental and physical health. 

In a Reader’s Digest article titled “How Nature Heals, “Charlotte Hilton Andersen. In this article, Dr. Kaiser, MD at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, says, “He frequently uses nature prescriptions to help his patients mentally and physically…nature has a profound impact on healthy aging and overall well-being.”

Nose To Toes Benefits

Additionally, Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, MD at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Jobe Institute in Santa Monica, California states, “Getting outside takes us back to how we were designed to work; it’s like a reset for our bodies, I tell my patients that being outdoors has nose-to-toes benefits.”

I love this prescription idea. Let’s add faith to this nature prescription inspired by the Creator. The One who knows the exact number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30), has a plan for each of our days on earth (Jeremiah 29:11), loves and cherishes us deeply (Ephesians 2:4-6), truly, and desires for us to live fully and healthily for His purposes (John 10:10)!

Fill Your Nature Prescription

• Choose a lovely spot in your yard or a nearby park filled with nature around you. 
• Take a moment to quiet your mind and enjoy a couple of deep breaths to help you focus.
• Take a moment to truly enjoy your surroundings! Listen to the cheerful birds chirping, admire the stunning wildflowers, feel the soft touch of a tall blade of grass, and breathe in the delightful freshness of the air around you.
• Reach out to God – remember, His presence is always by your side, and He truly longs to hear from you.
• Journaling or doodling is a wonderful way to spark quiet creativity! 
• Put technology aside and take this wonderful opportunity to relax your mind while refreshing your heart and soul.
• Meditate on God, ponder His greatness, and your relationship with Him.

One lovely way I enjoy wrapping things up during my nature prescription time is reading a beautiful Psalm. Reading about God’s creation in the Psalms helps me focus and build a lasting sense of gratitude and love for the Lord.

Psalm 33:6-9 (NLT)

The Lord merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
Let the whole world fear the Lord,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.

Before long, you’ll discover the joy of carving out regular time to spend in nature with God. He is our wonderful healer and the source of abundant life. Take a moment to soak in His wonderful presence and embrace the journey of renewing your heart, mind, and soul.

Let the words of the Psalmist inspire us: “But as for me, God’s presence is all I need (Psalm 73:28).”

Check out these Free Scripture Coloring Pages to use for your nature outings.

Resource: Charlotte Hilton Anderson, “How Nature Heals”, Reader’s Digest, May/June 2025, pages 60-73.

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