Are you weary? Just worn out, spent, exhausted and burdened? Do you feel pressured?
Are you overworked? Overcommitted? Overwhelmed?
Are you too busy? Are you often in a bad mood or depressed?
Are you at the end of your rope? Are you burning the candle at both ends?
If that’s you, I want to give you some good news in the midst of your weariness:
God invites you to exchange your pressures for His peace.
In the famous Psalm 23, David said, “He (God) makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus wants to give us the “peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). That’s what He will do, but we have a responsibility. What is our part in experiencing God’s REST?
R—Rearrange My Priorities and Values
Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33).
Sometimes we’re stressed out because we’re chasing the wrong things. Our priorities are wrong. And when we chase after the wrong things, our souls end up empty. Jesus is the only one who can satisfy your soul and give you peace, satisfaction and rest.
E—Enjoy What I Already Have
“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
S—Spend Time Alone with God
As I said earlier, God is the only one who can satisfy your soul. Your soul is on a hunt to find satisfaction and peace. It will not rest until it finds it. When you spend time with God, He fills your soul. But in order for your soul to find that rest, you must slow down and allow your body to rest in the presence of God.
T—Take Time Out to Rest
As Rick Warren says, we need to…
-
Divert daily
-
Withdraw weekly
-
Abandon annually
Take the time to rest and re-charge every day. Let me warn you…this is more difficult than it sounds. It’s a habit and a spiritual discipline. And our lives are busier now than they’ve ever been. And we are not very comfortable with silence, or being alone with God. We are accustomed to noise. But if you want to find rest for your soul, you must do what Jesus did…spend time every day in the Father’s presence.