By Dr. Colleen Damon, Founder of We Get To Serve (WGTS)
Introduction
Do you remember how peaceful you felt as a child, sitting with crayons and coloring pages — no deadlines, no distractions, just color and quiet? That simple act of filling in shapes wasn’t just play; it was an early form of meditation.
Today, research shows that coloring is far more than a pastime. It’s a proven way to reduce anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and restore focus — and when infused with faith, it becomes a form of worship and renewal.
At We Get To Serve (WGTS), we call it “Coloring Your Calm.” It’s creative therapy that brings the mind to stillness and the heart to prayer.
The Science Behind Coloring and Calm
Neuroscience confirms what many of us feel instinctively: coloring helps regulate the brain and the nervous system.
According to the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, coloring can:
• Lower heart rate and reduce stress hormones like cortisol
• Activate the amygdala, calming the fight-or-flight response
• Engage the prefrontal cortex, which supports focus and problem-solving
• Increase dopamine — the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter linked to joy and satisfaction
When we color, our brains enter a state similar to meditation, releasing tension and creating space for clarity.
Dr. Stan Rodski, a cognitive neuroscientist, found that repetitive coloring patterns stimulate the same parts of the brain that meditation does, helping individuals manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
Simply put: when you color, you calm your mind — and invite your spirit to rest.
The Faith Connection: Coloring as Prayer
Scripture reminds us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Coloring can become a sacred response to that invitation.
In those moments of quiet focus, we slow down enough to hear God’s voice. The rhythm of coloring allows our hearts to shift from anxiety to awareness, from distraction to devotion. It becomes more than a creative act — it becomes a prayer in motion.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Coloring offers a tangible way to access that peace — to literally guard the mind by giving it something holy and calming to dwell on.
At WGTS, we encourage believers to use coloring as a way to meditate on scripture, reflect on gratitude, and release worry while drawing closer to God.
The WGTS Connection: Creative Therapy in Color
Each WGTS coloring page is designed to be more than art — it’s an encounter with peace and purpose.
The Color Your Calm series combines simple, meditative designs with uplifting scriptures and affirmations that remind us:
• You are loved
• You are seen
• You are safe in His hands
As you color, your breathing slows. The noise fades and within those quiet lines, prayer begins to flow naturally.
In WGTS workshops and journals, participants often share that coloring helps them feel God’s presence more deeply — turning moments of stress into moments of surrender.
The Science Meets Spirit Moment
Modern therapy calls it mindfulness. Faith calls it stillness before God. Both lead us back to peace.
The act of coloring strengthens the connection between the hand and the heart, grounding the body while freeing the mind. It’s one of the few activities where both sides of the brain — logical and creative — work together in harmony.
That’s why coloring helps people focus during devotionals, and or prayer time. It keeps the mind engaged and the spirit open.
When paired with scripture, coloring becomes a sacred space for renewal — a way to “renew the mind” (Romans 12:2) while resting in the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Practical Ways to ‘Color Your Calm’
Here are a few WGTS-inspired ideas to start your own coloring prayer practice:
1. Scripture Coloring — Choose a verse that brings you peace and color it slowly as you meditate on each word.
2. Breath + Color Practice — With each stroke, breathe in gratitude and exhale worry.
3. Prayer Through Color — Assign each color to a prayer focus — blue for peace, yellow for joy, green for renewal.
4. Gratitude Coloring Journal — At the end of each day, color one small image while reflecting on three blessings.
Even five minutes of coloring a day can lower stress levels and boost mood. More importantly, it invites the soul to pause — and to listen.
Final Thoughts: Calm Is a Form of Worship
In a world that glorifies busyness, calm becomes a sacred rebellion.
When we take time to color, reflect, and breathe, we are honoring God with our stillness. We are saying, “Lord, I trust You enough to rest.”
So the next time you pick up your crayons, markers, or pencils, remember — you’re not just filling a page. You’re filling your spirit.
Color your calm. Pray in color. And as always, remember the WGTS mantra: We don’t have to serve — We Get to Serve.
Citations:
• Cleveland Clinic, ‘Why Adult Coloring Books Are Good for You’ (2022)
• Mayo Clinic, ‘Stress relief from coloring books’ (2023)
• Psychology Today, ‘Coloring and the Mind’ (2021)