“Rest.” It sounds simple enough, but when God calls us to rest, what does He mean? In Genesis, God modeled rest after His work was complete. In the gospels, Jesus drew away to rest. Over a period of several years, He taught me four lessons about finding rest in God.
What do you think when you hear the word rest? Does it mean to sleep more? Refrain from activity? Be unproductive, weak or lazy?
What does it mean when the Bible talks about rest from a spiritual perspective? How do you find rest in God?
Over the course of a year, I learned the meaning of rest. I learned to “be still and know that I am God” as the Bible says in Psalms 46:10.
In times when I rest, or become still, I hear the still small voice of God.
In John 10:27, Jesus says, “my sheep hear my voice.” I know that I can hear Him because it is recorded in scripture.
How can I hear the Lord if my mind is full of worry, anxiety, stress and chaos? The answer is rest; become still. I still my body and my mind so that I can hear Him.
4 Lessons the Lord taught me on how to find rest in God:
1. Resting in God means we can believe that He is (“I AM”) sufficient for our every situation.
I believe, know and trust that He is sufficient in all things. He is in control. He is the great “I Am.” The One who is all I need in every situation.
2. In order to rest, we must first trust God.
When I rest, I remember that while I am not in control of every situation in my life, I trust the One who is.
3. Rest is also a physical act of obedience.
The enemy of my soul does not want me to be still. He knows the difference between times when I am a rested warrior in God’s Kingdom versus a warrior sidelined by worry and stress. When I am still and rested, I am a powerful warrior because I breathe in the very breath of God.
During this time when God relentlessly pursued me to willingly seek His rest, I learned to fight. Resting is an attitude, not just a physical act.
4. Further, obeying God in rest is productive and is one of our greatest spiritual weapons against our enemy.
In rest, I place my trust in God and His faithfulness, believing He is sufficient for every situation.
Have you decided to embrace His rest? What do you need to do in order to find rest in God?
Hope Prevails,
Dr. B
This has been something I have been working on in my life. Learning to rest in Him and not take on more than I should or that He wants me to do. One of the great books that is helping me right now is Lysa TerKeurst’s “The Best Yes” Good read!
Thanks for sharing this encouragement and these words with us! (Your neighbor at #InspireMeMonday
Rachel, I suspect this is something I will continue working on throughout my life. Old habits die hard, but oh how sweet the reward when we follow in humble obedience. It takes so much pressure off when we will seek Him and only do the best HE has for us (Yes, Lysa’s book supports that beautifully!)! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Some days it’s more difficult than others. Thanks for sharing this wonderful reminder that rest is need everyday!
I think we have all experienced that to be true. Hopefully we can learn from the easier days and be quicker to remember on the harder days.
There is nothing quite like being still, resting in Him, and being filled with the peace that only He can give. May He continue to fill your cup to overflowing.
Thanks for sharing this simple, but profoundly life-changing message with us!
You’re right Heather…there is nothing like it. If only we would know that in the very depths of our being and not be lulled into seeking after the counterfeit that never satisfies. Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Such truth, Michelle, thank you for sharing. 🙂
I especially loved this paragraph of yours: “The enemy of my soul does not want me to be still. He knows the difference between times when I am a rested warrior in God’s Kingdom versus a warrior sidelined by worry and stress.” ~ Oh to remember that so that I’m not inadvertently helping the enemy!
I believe that this is my first visit with you. Happy to be visiting you from the RaRa linkup today. ((blessings))
Brenda, that very truth has been a game-changer for me. We can only serve one master, one kingdom. I want to serve God wholeheartedly, not absent-mindedly serve the kingdom of darkness. I’m so glad you came by!! Blessings to you! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
God has really been doing a work in me with this idea of rest and balance. Sometimes it feels like it slips from my clutches – life is just busy. But He is reminding me to find balance and in that He is giving me permission to rest. It can feel awkward, but I love knowing that God allows us that time to be refreshed and recharged – to slow down and appreciate all He’s given – even to simply worship Him. Thanks for confirming His words to me once again, Dr. Michelle. #raralinkup
Dear Sweet Tiffany, I think this is a struggle for many of us. For me, it sometimes ebbs and flows. I’ll get diverted for a while and then need a wake up call to realize that I create many of my own problems when I don’t take the time to rest in Him. It’s His heart for us. And thankfully, He offers mercy and grace while we work on learning it. Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
This is a lesson that I learned the hard way. Thanks for writing this in such a beautiful way. 🙂 I’m so glad you shared at Together on Tuesdays….everyone needs to read this.
I too learned it the hard way…that’s why it made such a big impression on me. Sometimes the most important lessons are learned through the most difficult times, but it makes them harder to forget. Blessings on you, as you remember all He taught you through the journey to rest! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Thank you for this encouraging advice. Happy to be your neighbor at SDG.
So glad you came by Elizabeth! Have a restful weekend!
Dearest Dr. Michelle, thank you. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post with Roses of Inspiration. Your words pricked my heart and went deep into my soul.
I am so grateful for your well-written and ever encouraging posts. Have a lovely Thursday!
My dear sweet encouraging Stephanie, it thrills my heart to know that my words resonate. May He use them for His glory, and your benefit as you pursue Him. Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Today, I chose to rest for an hour instead of cramming in more work while my kids are at camp. When I choose rest (hard for this type A girl), I know I am trusting that God will manage my time. It’s an act of submission.
Agreed on every point, Jennifer!! Yes, we often have to consciously choose rest, and in that is an act of submission as we choose to trust God with our time. And He will reward such a choice!! Blessings!
Amazing post and I really needed it. Rest is important. In order to be productive you must rest at some point.
Yes, we must rest in order to be productive. We need a constant replenishment of fuel, just like our cars. Without it, we will sputter to a halt. Be blessed as you rest this weekend!
Rest has been a beautiful topic surrounding me these days! Thank you for sharing even more about rest!! Blessings!
Oh Kela, His rest is just another expression of His love for us. I’m glad He’s calling it to your attention. Oh how He loves you. Rest in that truth! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Thank you for sharing this with us at Good Morning Mondays. I.find that I.feel most rested when I read my daily bible reading, it gives me such peace. Blessings
Terri, I think reading the word is one of the very best ways to find rest in Him! Well done!! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
What wonderful reminders.
Every day I start my day with the Lord but I didn’t start to feel rested until I began a 1:00 pm quiet time with Him. I pray, re-read my scripture from the morning and close my eyes for a few minutes. It’s perfect. I’ve had times when I’ve dozed off for 7 or 8 minutes and awoke to feel like I had an 8 hour sleep!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
What a beautiful suggestion. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, and I think your intentionality to have a quiet time with Him mid-day is a beautiful example of how we are to be constantly mindful of Him throughout our day! Thanks for sharing that with us! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Great reminder!
Thanks Shannon! Glad you stopped by. Blessings!
God has really been speaking to me about rest. Your post was a great confirmation. I’m currently reading “The Rest of God” by Mark Buchanan. My favorite quote so far: “Repentance is a ruthless dismantling of old ways of seeing and thinking, and then a diligent and vigilant building of new ones.” I’m ready to build some new ways of thinking about resting in God!
Angela, I know God is going to honor your desire to learn new ways of resting in Him! And I love that book (actually anything by Mark Buchanan). Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Rest is something I eagerly seek but so often put second on my agenda because ‘I have so much to do!’ I am good at having so much to do and not taking the time to sit and read or sit and crochet or just sit and pray and reflect. Thank you so much for this special message and reminder. I too often keep going and doing and when I do rest, I am exhausted. I love and appreciate your messages so much.
Thanks for the great post Michelle! Finding rest basically comes down to trust and obedience, as you said. So many of us need this reminder today! Thank you! And thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements! Pinned. 🙂
Patsy, I’m glad others needed the reminder, because I have to keep reminding myself!
Thank you for all that you do! I love the wisdom of your writing. And I wish that I believed as you believe. You have been through so much and you never give up on Him. I admire you for that. I have not been tested as you have been, but I work each day on my faith life. And you have been so helpful with that. Thank you! I hope that you are feeling well!
Oh Paulette, some days are not as easy as others. But I think because I’ve been through a lot, the flip side to that is that I’ve had many opportunities to see God’s faithfulness and I have to remember He will continue to be. I’m glad my posts have encouraged you. You’ll have to listen to our new radio program, “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” on graceandtruthradio.world
Rest is so important, yet we live on our own personal treadmills so much of our lives. I am reading a book on Sabbath-keeping this month and am learning a lot about rest. Thanks so much for sharing this, it was very encouraging!
I’d love to hear the name of the Sabbath-keeping book you are reading and your thoughts on it, Cheryl.
It is called Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva J. Dawn.
I am just learning about this but am finding so many blessings in practicing what I learn. I definitely need the restoration in my life. I am trying to recalibrate my life in 2019. I want to move out of stressful, striving, busy, and overwhelm to slow, restful, peaceful, and trusting. Change takes time, but I know this is something the Lord wants me to learn!
Thank you for sharing these Truths that spoke to my heart. I especially was struck by your insight that truly resting in God is when we are trusting Him for ALL of our provision.
In my home office, above my desk, I have Psalm 46:10. It is a reminder I somehow need often because I tend to overthink as we all can.
God indeed made Sabbath rest for us and not just on Sundays, but every day of the week.
Blessings,
Karen, I tend to be an over-thinker too. And an over-planner. But God doesn’t want us to carry that weight. I’m still daily working on resting in him. Kind of an oxymoron.
Michelle, I am still working on “be still and know that I am God”. Finding rest in God is not easy for me. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Trusting God is the first step in finding His rest. It reminds me of the trust exercise where you fall back into your partner’s waiting arms. God will never allow us to fall.
Laurie, you’re not alone in struggling to find rest in God. I think that’s why God keeps bringing me back to it. I love your reminder of the trust fall exercise.
I write about rest a lot and pursue it like peace.
featuring your post tomorrow on #TuneInThursday – Your post resonated a lot with me, as I have found my whole, body, soul and spirit in need of much rest lately. I have not being doing a good job of it. Thanks for the Scripture and reminders. Hugs and Blessings
Psalm 46:10 is a favorite verse of mine too Michelle, but my translation is ” Let go & relax, knowing that I am God”.
Its the letting go of all the expectations, concern, worry & anxious thoughts. It’s being totally relaxed in Him where I am not moved outside of that serenity in Him by circumstances has been my greatest lounging & prayer for many years.
Then I entered chronic health issues one being chronic pain! My prayer & longing is being answered through the strangely wrapped gift of relying on God for all through chronic ill health.
He is Risen!
Bless you,
Jennifer