Now that we’re into the second full week of the year, I have to tell you — I love what the Lord is teaching me.
You’ve got to go watch last week’s Heart Talk episode (“The One Word That Determines Your Year” - link below) if you haven’t already. Because in it, I share this middle-of-the-night moment I had with the Lord right as we stepped into 2026 — and I’m convinced it wasn’t just for me.
It’s for you too.
I won’t spoil it all here (okay, maybe a little)…
But let’s just say this:
Psalm 91 isn’t just about protection.
It’s about how to live your life — period.
So before we dive into Holy Habits in a few weeks, I want to break down this word the Lord gave me. Because without question, this is the foundation. Everything we do — how we live, lead, decide, rest, trust, grow — it all flows from this one position of the heart.
So yes… I guess I am giving it away. 😂
It’s the word:
Dwell.
Dwell Is a Decision
Now I know — this isn’t some big, new revelation.
We’ve heard the word before. We’ve read Psalm 91 before.
But can we take this deeper?
Because I believe we need the reminder that everything — and I do mean everything — we do in our walk with God flows from the position of how we choose to dwell with Him.
And yes, I said choose on purpose.
Because it is a choice.
It’s not about how long you’ve walked with the Lord.
You could’ve been faithful for decades — reading your Bible, journaling, showing up to small groups, serving at church, praying for others — all good things. Beautiful things.
But dwelling? That’s different.
Dwell Isn’t What You Do — It’s Where You Stay
Let me explain what I mean.
For me, dwelling happens when I sit on the floor in my actual prayer closet (yes — walk-in, clothes and all 😂) and I don’t have an agenda.
No list.
No scripture study plan.
No journal out.
Just sitting.
Stillness.
Worship.
Breathing in the goodness of God.
Not because I need something.
Not because I’m trying to “have a moment.”
Just simply to be with Him.
That’s the heart of dwell.
The Hebrew word used in Psalm 91:1 is yāshab, and it means:
To remain.
To stay.
To sit.
To settle in.
To inhabit.
“Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
—Psalm 91:1
It’s not about passing through.
It’s about building your life there.
One word is standing out to me like huge neon letters: Inhabit.
Inhabit means you don’t just stop by when you’re desperate — you move in with your whole life. You unpack. You bring your heart, your thoughts, your fears, your questions, your dreams… and you set them down in His presence. Inhabiting the secret place means this is where I wake up, where I come back to, where my decisions are shaped and my identity gets reset. It’s not a side room. It’s the home base. The place I return to not because I have to — but because I don’t want to live anywhere else. And once you taste what it’s like to truly inhabit His presence, anything less starts to feel hollow. Phew!
Purpose Flows From Dwelling
So as I’ve been thinking a lot about Prothesis — God’s purpose for our lives.
I can’t shake this:
None of that unfolds without this.
Because when you dwell…
You’re not chasing God’s will — you’re aligning with it.
You’re not forcing something to happen — you’re learning to follow.
You’re not trying to prove anything — you’re trusting God in everything.
To dwell means you live in the shadow of the Almighty.
Which means you’re close.
Like, really shadow close.
You’re not leading the way.
You’re not walking ahead of Him.
You’re not asking Him to bless what you already planned.
You’re walking with Him.
And trust me — I’ve had plenty of seasons where I know God was behind me… because I had Him walking in my shadow instead.
I was out front, running full speed, wondering why I felt so overwhelmed and frustrated that the things I wanted to see happening weren’t happening.
Get the picture?
This Year, I’m Not Running First
So in comes the hard stop. The beautiful revelation.
I don’t want to live my year based on striving or pressure or even “good” plans.
I want to live it from the shelter.
I want to remain.
To stay close.
To dwell.
Because that’s where revelation happens.
That’s where peace shows up.
That’s where clarity gets loud — and pressure gets silenced.
And if we want to build real rhythms…real and true holy habits….
If we want to walk in the purpose God has already prepared…
We start here.
With one word.
Dwell.
Watch the Heart Talk Episode that Goes with This
If this hit home for you, go watch last week’s podcast episode:
“The One Word That Determines Your Year.”
This article and that conversation go hand in hand — same heartbeat, same call to slow down and actually stay with God instead of rushing into the next thing.
And yes — Holy Habits is coming soon.
But this?
This is the foundation. And that’s what we’re building here.
We don’t start with structure.
We start with presence.
See you next week — and until then, stay close.
Stay still.
Dwell.