Without being aware, we can find that we are in constant motion and never truly at rest. This lack of rest can originate from our packed schedules, connection to technology and pressure to perform. We strive for acceptance, to earn respect, position, and love and to fulfil our purpose.
Unfortunately, all this striving and motion without any rest will inevitably leave us tired; tiredness down deep on the inside so that we become soul tired.
I've discovered it’s harder to stop and rest than we might think and to seek solitude and silence. You can even struggle with guilt or feelings of failure when you can’t. But that’s okay because not being able to rest reveals where you are seeking to be in control, where you are stressing, striving and often living in fear, and where you haven’t surrendered parts of your life over to God.
Being aware of what you are unable to rest about reveals why you feel soul weary and is the first step towards the restoration of your soul and refreshing your spirits.
The good news is that God wants us to know true rest, where we know who we are and our life and purpose, but that we aren't driven by those things.
To do that, we start by allowing ourselves to be still and to face what is happening in our hearts deep down on the inside and what we are thinking most about. Only then, as we choose stillness and awareness, can God go to work to bring clarity, restoration and strength to our tired souls.
As we rest and learn how to remain seated in that rest, everything changes. We start to understand our identity and purpose in God and how to walk in our authority. Instead of stress and striving, we live in a place of strength and calm. Instead of fear and worry, we live at rest and peace.
Today I encourage you to intentionally set aside some time to be still and to rest…even for 10 minutes a day alone, where you create stillness in the midst of your usual motion and schedule. No phone, no technology, no noise, no interruptions. Just you, the quiet and Jesus as you allow Him to work in you.
For He says, “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 TPT)
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”(Isaiah 30:15 NLT)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still water. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”(Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, I’m choosing to take time for quietness and stillness with you today. Please help me be aware of the places in my life where I struggle to be still so I can surrender them to you. I want to learn how to rest and trust you more and to remain in that rest all day. In Jesus name Amen.
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