Are you burned out? Depressed? Anxious? Hopeless? Faithless? Are you pushing hard and trying to force solutions in your life and relationships? The more difficult life is the more rest you need. It may seem impossible to rest more when things are most difficult but it is absolutely necessary. Regardless of how tired and stressed you are today, you need to cultivate the discipline of resting.

Most of us think of physical rest first. Physical rest is important and essential. Pushing ourselves continually past our physical limits causes health problems and makes us less able to deal with our emotions and relationships.

But the other type of rest brings rest to our souls. Soul rest rejuvenates our spirits. It connects us with God who gives us a supernatural peace and confidence that only comes when we let go. The harder we push the further away that release is. When we come to the end of ourselves and our own abilities, we will surrender; however, it is better if we learn to cultivate a habitual time and method in our lives where we intentionally practice entering God’s rest.

Rest is ceasing from activity; an experience of peace, ease, refreshment; freedom from disquiet; a sense of mental or emotional tranquility. So how do you get rest in the midst of the demands of life?

You can practice entering God’s rest through prayer, praise, reading the Word, quiet time, journaling, meditation, going to a reflective place, and fasting from your normal routine. If you can’t put aside a block of time, then practice taking a five to ten minute break wherever you are.  It will include using deep reflection to purposefully surrender your life to God.

• Reflect on God’s sufficiency; let go of your insufficiency.
• Reflect on God’s purpose; surrender your plans.
• Reflect on God’s goodness; surrender your sinfulness.
• Reflect on God’s character; let go of disappointments.
• Reflect on God’s grace and mercy; let go of your resentments and hurts.
• Reflect on God’s provision; let go of your wants and needs.

Your circumstances might not change—but your view of them and the ability to meet them will.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me to cultivate the discipline of entering your rest. Help me to grasp the meaning of
rest which will allow me to let go of everything and receive whatever I need from you.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Establish a plan for developing the discipline of entering God’s rest. For today, pause and surrender whatever you are struggling with.

Scripture Meditation

 
Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus asks you: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’” (The Message Bible).

Job 3:26

Do you answer: “I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil?” (NIV)

Hebrews 4:15-16

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (NIV).

You can come to Jesus in your humanness and He will understand.