Life can be crazy, overwhelming, busy and stressful. I am prone to sleeping issues if I am not careful. When I begin to feel stressed or anxious, I can usually kiss a good night’s sleep goodbye. Lately all the tossing and turning has reminded me in the midst of it all finding rest in the Lord is so very important because when I do have a rough sleep, I am not well-rested for the day ahead and the only way I can make it through the day without drinking an entire pot of coffee is to find my strength in Him. Christmas is only a few days away and I am still missing that just-the-right gift, those cookies won’t bake on their own and rest is the last thing on my mind. But I cling to the hope of Jesus, and the rest I can find in Him.
Don’t you wish we could just catch up on all that lost sleep later?
Jesus offers us rest: ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’ (Matt. 11:28
) (ESV).
I find that I push things out of my life, which kind of makes sense. Except one of them is usually my quiet time with God, which doesn’t make sense. Instead of just being tired, stressed and hurried, I begin to feel further away from God and spiritually hungry. Why push out something important? I still need God whether I am busy or not. Lets be honest, Christian are called to be fruitful not busy.
By resting in God, I am entrusting Him with my life. I am handing over the reins and knowing He is sovereign and with me. I am being obedient.
The best thing I can do for myself, as well as trying to take care of me physically, is to take time out and spend it with God.
Here are just a few verses to get you started as you find your resting place in the Lord this Christmas season:
‘This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it,’ Psalm 132:14 (ESV)
‘But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge,’ Psalm 94:22 (ESV)
‘For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation,’ Psalm 62:1 (ESV)
Just as my body needs rest, so too does my soul need rest. So even as all the sparkling glitter and wonder of Christmas lights up our homes, I am reminded to slowing down in humble gratitude and awe and remember where my true gift is found.
The Lord is my Resting Place.
Psalm 62:1 leapt off the screen at me just now. Yes I needed that reminder.
I, too, tend to decrease my quiet time when I’m stressed. Or I try to have it, but my anxious mind won’t cooperate and focus.
That’s why “sit in silence” stood out in that verse. Thank you for the reminder!
#truth – After the busy-ness of Christmas and New Years, and then getting back into our regular work/school schedule, I feel like I need to take a vacation. But it won’t do any good if I’m not resting in the peace and comfort of our Creator and Heavenly Father. Thank you for this reminder of His love and faithfulness in providing the recharging that we truly need.
Very inspiring post. It really lifted my spirits today.
My mom always says, “Those that don’t have Jesus don’t have peace.” We have been having a wonderful year and I know it’s because we have become closer to the Lord.
I needed this. I need the Rest only Jesus can give!