RESTING AND TRUSTING.

Last week was a blur, I was all over the place. I had a lot of “present but not mindful” moments, I had a lot to do with such little time.  There were a few moments of questioning my priorities, loyalty and asking whether I was crossing the thin line between self-love and selfish. Then to crown it all a friend said I needed to calm down and rest. REST!!! an actual state of inactivity. The nerve of him! to suggest to me that I needed more sleep when all I had was just 24 hours each day.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that the thought of resting or slowing down seems unacceptable? You know that scripture says cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you however,  your problems still keep you up at night. You already laid down your burden at the foot of the cross but somehow you have no rest. The peace that God promised is taking so long you are tempted to pick up your burden and find alternative solutions. Just waiting and doing nothing is killing you.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

Resting in God’s promises can only come through faith. It is only through faith that our eyes can be opened to the truth that resting doesn’t always mean a calm spirit. Sometimes a calm spirit is not the immediate result of God’s rest. I always liken it to the rest after a marathon, your heart doesn’t immediately stop racing once you stop running but that does not take away from the fact that the race is over and you are already at a state of rest.
Move from fear to faith, quieten the voice of doubt and the constant need to be in control and know the plan. Drown the fear with scriptures.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Psalm 46: 1-3

Sometimes rest just means to lean, to lean on God and trust that He’s a present help in time of trouble.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

The period of rest is a good time to count your blessings, to remind yourself of the times in the past when God has come through in otherwise helpless situations. It’s a good time to remind your soul that you have been through this emotions of anxiety and fear before and that He was faithful and kept His word. Remember God is worthy of trust.

Here is a song by Ryan Stevenson – In the eye of the storm, reminding us that God is an ever present help.