Did you know it’s a proven fact that when we’re around water, for example, oceans, lakes, streams and rivers, we are calmer, exhibit less anxiety and can actually be rejuvenated? Water activities like swimming, skiing, snorkeling, and surfing are said to help us enter into a state of calmness.

Vast bodies of water produce a state of awe. That’s an emotional response to how we actually view our world and our personal perspective within that world. Even the sound of water has a soothing effect on us, while the smell of an ocean breeze can trigger good memories and sooth the human soul. 

Water has a rhythm to it. Think of the constant, repeated movement of waves on the seashore or the babbling brook. Rain on a roof is especially rhythmic and pleasant to some persons. Water can hold our attention for hours and bring a sense of fascination that helps us relax our brains and slow down our thoughts. All that reveals a truth: water is restorative.

However, here are some biblically interesting thoughts that I want to share with you about water. A lot of Jesus’ life, miracles and sermons either involved water or were around water. For example: Jesus’ baptism, teaching from Peter’s fishing boat, walking on water, calming the raging sea and making breakfast for His disciples after His resurrection. And lastly, one of my favorite verses in the Bible also involved water and I love its connotations:

Matthew chapter 13 and verse one states, “That same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.” That’s it. That’s the whole verse. 

What was Jesus doing by the lake? Was he fretting over his day? Was He going over His to-do list? Was He contemplating His anticipated encounters with the Pharisees? I think He was sitting by the lake to experience the refreshment of a body of water and admiring His creation. He was centering Himself before His day would begin. 

Water will do that. So find a body of water or some form of nature that speaks to your spirit and calms your soul and “sit by it”… frequently.