What is Being Grounded? The Jesus Follower’s Guide.

What does it mean to be grounded? Is it something God cares about? And if so, what scripture can we use to gain a centered and spiritually grounded heart posture?

What Is Being Grounded?

Being grounded is an anchored heart posture that lets us stand firm when troubles come. As a holistic Christian, being grounded signifies a bold, “It Is Well With My Soul” faith that no matter what, my heart which is sealed with the promises of Christ, remains actively peaceful.

 

Characteristics of a Well Grounded Person

• Unshakable calm ~ well grounded people see the trials as temporary and often seek out the silver lining by asking “what can I learn from this?” and “how can I grow despite my pain?”.
• Nonconformity ~ well grounded people stick to their own moral compass and don’t conform for the sole purpose of fitting in.
• Positive Outlook ~ well grounded people don’t do fake smiles and cheesy pep talks to mask anxiety. Their positive outlook comes from tried and true big-picture wisdom, and a belief that contentment and gratitude are possible in all seasons of life.
• Responsive vs Reactive ~ well grounded people notice energies and attitudes of other people, but are not thrown off track due to others’ negativity. Taking time to assess a situation and respond in a life-giving manner rather than react with impulsive or explosive emotion is a way of everyday life for a well grounded person.
• Strong Identity & Connectivity to Purpose ~ well grounded people know their true identity and are deeply aware of their intrinsic value and worth in their community.
• Willingness to Celebrate Others ~ well grounded people see dignity and beauty in every life. There is no fear in celebrating the success of others since they are confident in their own path.

I’m pretty sure that by answering “What does it mean to be grounded?”, we’ve simultaneously and successfully determined that this in fact is something God cares about and wants for us.

Be sure you read that correctly — Being grounded is something God, giver of life wants FOR us and not FROM us. So how do we get there?

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Rooted and Grounded in the Word of God

There are so many scriptures that come to mind when reviewing what it means to be grounded. I’m actually quite proud of myself for not including over stuffed parentheticals after each bullet point!

By using these verses to center and ground ourselves, we are inviting God to work in us. We shed the bulk of the burden by placing our heart in his hands. Of course, we need to be intentional in our surrender and allow our hearts to be softened and made increasingly receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our core disposition. We can relieve ourselves, however, of imposed duty or gold-star crunchy status. We simply rest and be.

Let’s dive in!

I stand silently to listen for the one I love,
waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me.
For God alone has become my Savior.
He alone is my safe place;
his wrap-around presence always protects me.
For he is my champion defender;
there’s no risk of failure with God.
So why would I let worry paralyze me,
even when troubles multiply around me?….

God said to me once and for all,
“All the strength and power you need flows from me!”
And again I heard it clearly said,
“All the love you need is found in me!” ~ Psalm 62:1-2, 11-12 (TPT)

This melody by King David celebrates the peaceful dependence on a God bigger than current circumstance, who is more than able to center us in his strength, power and love. There is unshakable calm when we build our life on such a firm foundation!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

This verse lays it out plainly. As you surrender to the work God does within you, nothing will move you off course. Your labor in God is not in vain because it brings greater awareness of his glory.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:2-5 (NIV)

You can find the unshakable calm that keeps you grounded in your trials, by remembering God is completing you and providing what you lack.

James continues on to say we “should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (v. 19-20) and then advises that we should not only listen to the word but follow it (v. 22). Remembering and praying for patience with others helps us to be responsive vs. reactive. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

We have access to so much info, research, data and opinions, not to mention endless updates to each of these. When we reach the end of our data recon and it is time to make a decision, we can trust God’s words to shine light on our path and help us make nonconforming, wise steps. Scripture guides us in aligning our heart with God’s.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Nonconformity requires sacrifice but this passage reminds us why living tethered to God is so important. Knowing your purpose and not merely following along with culturally accepted patterns is a true sign of being grounded spiritually.

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.       – Ephesians 4:14-16 (ESV)

This last verse on nonconformity, found in Ephesians, lets us step around the other side for a different perspective. While we are not meant to conform to patterns of the world and be tossed about, this passage does indicate that we conform to the love of Christ. We live in him and he lives in us, unifying us for the purpose of love. I’d say that if you catch yourself conforming to a pattern of love, you’re in Christ’s flow. This can happen anywhere, anytime! It is the holistic Christian heart posture, the seeking sacred in the everyday routines. Christ is everywhere, and when you reflect him there is no limit to where the light shines.

No matter what bad thing we face, we can keep a positive outlook knowing with gratitude that God will work all things together for his good purposes.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 (ESV)

 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. -Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

In these next two verses, we see that through God’s renewal and our spiritual discipline of guarding our hearts, we can remain responsive vs. reactive.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ~ Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

With a strong identity in God’s love, we can delight in who we are and find connectivity to purpose. We see our identity doesn’t change with the seasons and our spiritual prosperity continues to thrive.

The following 5 verses show us how being grounded in our faith gives us a strong identity and connectivity to purpose.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

-Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

 

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  – Galatians 3:26-28 (NIV)

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5

 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;all things have been created through him and for him. ~ Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do.  ~ Ephesians 2:10

Our final bullet point in our list of Characteristics of a Grounded Person is Willingness to Celebrate Others. If we’re off center, it can sting to see the success of others. By the same token, being off center can prevent us from grieving with and for others, too. When we are rooted and grounded in the word of God, we can offer ourselves to others without our own egos shouting out, begging for recognition.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)

 

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~ Romans 12:15

In John Calvin’s commentaries on Romans 12, he gives us this advice on being grounded enough to celebrate others.

And, doubtless, not to regard with joy the happiness of a brother is envy; and not to grieve for his misfortunes is inhumanity. Let there be such a sympathy among us as may at the same time adapt us to all kinds of feelings. ~ John Calvin

Additional Tips for Getting Grounded Spiritually

I love that we have access to the beautiful gifts of nature at our fingertips. Using essential oils and flower essences can really support us when making changes or pursuing new spiritual intentions. Prayer, contemplation, study and action are key and these gifts of nature offer strong support. Whether applying and diffusing essential oils during prayer and meditation or drinking in the energetic benefits of flower essences, we’re actively engaging our entire being at a cellular level in the process.

Check out my recommendations for grounding essential oils and flower essences.

DoTerra Balance Grounding Blend

Yarrow Shield Flower Essence

Floral Defense

 

 

New to Flower Essences? Check out my guide to Healing with Flower Essences!