“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.
I had just turned in my manuscript to my publisher for my new book about overcoming worry, fear, and anxiety (releasing fall, 2019) when people began to ask the obvious question, “What are you going to do now?”
I didn’t have a ready answer for that. I had originally assumed that as soon as I turned in the manuscript for that book, I would begin work on a companion Bible study. Yet when the time came, it didn’t sit well in my spirit.
Over the next couple of weeks, God shared his plan for my next season: a season of rest.
What do you think of when you hear the word, “Rest”? Or “Be still”? Can I be honest and tell you, that those are two of the hardest things for me to do, and yet, I find myself smack dab in the place where that is what God is asking of me. Just recently, I sent off the manuscript draft of my next book to the editor on Monday. Friends congratulated me and told me to enjoy my “new normal” now that I wouldn’t be intently working in front of my computer from sun up until sundown on the book. I answered, in all seriousness, “What is that? What does my ‘new normal’ look like?” It left me uncomfortable and ill-at-ease. By Tuesday I felt aimless and purposeless.
The enemy barks and shouts to ensure you are intimidated by his presence. Is he all bark? How do you walk in victory over the enemy who magnifies his presence to invoke fear?
Does the busyness of the holiday season leave you zapped of peace and joy? How do you take care of yourself in the midst of all the holiday preparations? When you’re giving out gifts to others, give a few gifts to yourself as well. Read more for 15 Ways to Take Care of Yourself this Christmas. [more]
