We’ve all known people who push themselves hard all day long until they fall into bed at night. Their lists and schedules make sure they use every minute to the fullest.
And though efficiency experts might be impressed by their productivity, it’s likely these ultra Type-A folks are harming themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The truth is, “Renewal and restoration are not luxuries, they are essentials. Being alone and resting for a while is not selfish; it is Christlike.” Even Jesus took time away to be with his Father [1].
Also important to understand: Rest is an attitude of the heart amidst the responsibilities of the day. It’s not “some holy feeling that comes upon us in church. It is a state of calm rising from a heart deeply and firmly established in God” [2].
The restful life begins in trusting God, and he’s given us plenty of good reasons to do so:
OUR GOD PERFORMS RIGHTEOUS DEEDS AND MIGHTY ACTS (Psalm 71:16-18)
OUR GOD HELPS IN NUMEROUS WAYS (Psalm 27:9)
He supplies our needs, guides our decisions, strengthens our spirits, and more.
In addition, his power is at work to help us “understand his love, live a life worthy of our calling, bear fruit in every good work, endure with patience, live a life of thanksgiving, escape the corruption caused by evil desires and overflow with hope” [3].
In other words, he helps us experience the God-enhanced life that truly satisfies our souls.
OUR GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE (Psalm 3:8 CEV)
It’s not his way to protect us from all pain and trouble. Instead, he grants us stamina and strength of spirit to endure, growing us into maturity.
OUR GOD LAVISHES US WITH HIS LOVE (Psalm 86:13)
His compassionate care is expressed as “His wisdom is our direction, His knowledge, our instruction, His power, our protection, His justice, our surety, His love, our comfort, and His mercy, our solace. He holds back nothing from us” [4].
OUR GOD BESTOWS BLESSINGS, BENEFITS, AND GOODNESS (Psalm 103:1, 5)
OUR GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISES (Psalm 145:13b)
But how can we be sure of that?
“The permanence of God’s character guarantees the fulfillment of his promises” [5].
OUR GOD ANSWERS WHEN WE CALL (Psalm 86:7)
To rest in spite of a “No” or “Wait” answer surely gives indication how well we trust.
These seven assurances of God’s influence in our lives certainly offer wonderful encouragement. But they won’t contribute to spiritual rest unless we “grasp them by faith, plead them by prayer, expect them by hope, and receive them by gratitude” [6].
* * * * * * * * * *
O Lord, I bow before you in wonder that you, the God of the universe, with your infinite power and glory, would provide all these blessings and benefits for me.
Thank you for your gracious benevolence. Help me to REST in these truths, knowing that you have everything under control and you will see me through until I’m home with you.
[1] Chuck Swindoll, The Quest for Character, 49; Luke 6:12.
[2] Henry Drummond, quoted in Streams in the Desert, Jim Reiman, ed., 232.
[3] Melissa Krueger, The Envy of Eve, 104.
[4] Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 141.
[5] A. W. Pink, http://www.gracequotes.org.
[6] Charles Spurgeon
Image credits: http://www.stackcake.com; http://www.canva.com (5).
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Beautifully written, Nancy. Our first obligation is to care for ourselves so we can best care for others.
Thank you, Mary. And you are so right: caring for ourselves is important so we can better care for those around us. “The restful life” in God doesn’t just impact us, it impacts others as our trust in him contributes to diminished anxiety, increased peace, and elevated joy. We all like to be around people who are calm, contented, and joyful!
Rest and rejuvenate I have come to appreciate more. Time away with God. Jesus withdrew to lonely places often to be with the Father. He also took naps like in the boat. 🙂
I too greatly enjoy my morning quiet times with God, and do come away refreshed. And yes, Matt, at least one of Jesus’ naps is on record, giving all nappers justification for their habit!
For us to follow and trust in the light of wait or not yet is a true test of our trust in God and His promises that stand eternally true. If He has told us that we are all precious to Him, shouldn’t we treat others with the same dignity and mercy that Jesus taught? Always, wise observations, Nancy, to inspire and encourage all of us. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Praise God for his inspiration–AND the wisdom of Charles Spurgeon, Henry Drummond, A. W. Pink, and others!
Rest and rejuvenation is essential- I so agree with that Nancy. I always struggled and at times still do with thinking I have to be productive always, but I have intentionally chosen a slower pace of life in the recent years and I enjoy it very much and am thankful to God that I can choose to do so.
Good for you, Manu! I too have struggled with prioritizing my time and saying “no” to certain requests. In most cases, when we get too busy to spend time with God, we’re too busy–period. However, there are exceptions, such as parents of newborns–especially when there are additional young children in the home. I’m sure God understands that sleep is their biggest priority whenever the house is quiet!
Nancy, thank you for the eloquent way of reminding me to rest in God’s grace & love. Your words causes me to stop, reflect & enjoy the Presence of God.
Anita
Thank you, dear Anita, for your thoughtful encouragement. There’s no sweeter place to be than resting in God’s grace and love. Praise him this post led you to enjoy his presence!
Good reminder that rest is not just from physical labor, but also from the mental and emotional onslaught of our days. I’m most moved by your prayer, Nancy. I’m adding it to my notebook of inspirational words.
Thank you, Linda. Praise God you found inspiration in the closing prayer! I’m humbled and honored that you’re adding it to your notebook.
so often resting in God also means letting go and giving God all the control which is difficult to do and most of us cling to instead of giving up. Tiring to hold onto too. no wonder we are so exhausted!
You’re so right, Jean. Holding on to our worries and what-ifs is quite silly, isn’t it! Praise God for the restful life in him that he offers!
Thank you for this wise post, Nancy.
You are most welcome, Mary. Praise God for his inspiration! (How are you, my friend? I often think of you and continue to pray for peace and joy in your spirit.)
I loved this post! Yes! We do need to intentionally ‘rest’ in God. We need time set apart from the world for reflection, prayer, and quiet time.
Thank you, Linda. With you, I find that time set apart with God is transformational. I’m not a perfect “rester” by any means, but I’m sure my life would be characterized by much anxiety and fretting if not for the nearly-daily time with him to recalibrate my spirit.
This is a wonderful post for Mother’s Day. The ancient Greek proverb you included is very effective in conveying its powerful message. Happy Mother’s Day, Nancy. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Isn’t that proverb a great reminder? I have to admit that at times I’ve bent my bow too often and for too long. Sometimes there seemed no way around it, but God saw me through and kept that bow from breaking!
Beautifully said, Nancy! I love, “The restful life begins in trusting God” and all the reasons you give to do so.
Thank you, Wynne! Trust is such a simple concept, yet so powerful. Just remembering, “I am trusting you, my loving, sovereign Savior,” can refocus our anxious minds and cultivate peace.
Nancy,
I am A type. I know i should rest but it can go the other way. Getting lazy and putting things off. Only the Lord pulls us back to the center. Why do we hang out on the edges. In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I’m another Type-A, Gary. Together with many others we can pray for God’s centering of our tendencies. Indeed, why DO we hang out on the edges?! That IS a good question!
All good stuff, Nancy! I especially enjoy the quote of unknown attribution which reminds us to think that God’s answer may involve a lot more people than we can imagine. I sometimes struggle to remember that the dark spots in my life may be something God uses as future testimony!
Wise insight, Stacey. The possibility of future testimony is a good reason for all of God’s answers to prayer, the “Yes’s,” “No’s,” AND “Waits.” It’s surely part of the good Paul referenced in Romans 8:28. Thank you for adding that truth to the conversation!
What a helpful and insightful post, Nancy! The Lord has it all planned out, and though we struggle with the “no’s” and “not now’s,” HE knows the ultimate impact on my life and others. It is not just about me but about everyone. We must trust, resting in the assurance that He has our best interests at heart and those whose life we impact. For example, being late for an event and the frustration that accompanies that just may have saved us from being in an accident. Dear Lord, please help me improve in resting and trusting in Your plan for me life. We are no good to spreading the Gospel if we are so mired in the day-to-day activities that we forget that our purpose is to be used by You.
There’s another good reason for the “No” answers and the “Waits.” As we avail ourselves to God, he’s using the events and relationships of our lives to impact those around us. Sometimes “No” or “Wait” will increase that impact. Thank you, Cheri–so appreciate your insights!
What a timely blog! You’re so right–the rhythms of so many in America are filled to the brim with doing. To rest seems counterintuitive because it appears we aren’t accomplishing anything. I do love that Greek proverb–it’s a great picture of life lived at high gear with no stoppage. I keep reminding myself that God made me finite and fallible, weak and limited in knowledge. Resting in Him is the only way I can really deal with life around me, because I don’t know it all! Thanks for this, my friend. It’s coming at a very appropriate time in my life.
Praise God for his timing, Dayle! You are so right: here in America especially we seem driven to always be accomplishing something. But to rest in God for a spell each day, to reaffirm our trust in him, settles our spirits and helps us release our grip on the bow of busy-ness! It’s well worth the effort to make it happen.
I’m filled to the brim with all these precious truths you set out for us so well. I especially love this: “It’s not his way to protect us from all pain and trouble. Instead, he grants us stamina and strength of spirit to endure, growing us into maturity.” I want to go back and read this over and over again. Thank you, Nancy!
You you so welcome, Patty. Praise God you found this post meaningful!