I often find myself over-working, over-thinking, and over-doing life. For any of us who put our hearts into our lives, we can end up carrying stress to the point that it affects our ability to rest. 

Resting is not merely the physical act of reclining or sleeping. No – there are many times I have been in a physical posture of rest while not being at rest. 

Resting is not a position of your body, but a posture of your soul. 

• Is your mind at rest?
• Is your will (your decision making process) at rest?
• Are your emotions at rest?

Our Father desires us to be at rest. His promises are repeated throughout Scripture:

• He leads us to green pastures, beside still waters to restore our souls. 
• Take My yoke upon you- for My yoke is easy and My burden is light, and you will find rest for your souls. 
• Cast your cares upon Me- because I care for you!

Rest requires faith. 

Think about it. The reason we are not at rest is because we are not trusting God in a particular area of life. Where there is a lack of trust there is a lack of rest. 

The writer of Hebrews wrote these words to Jewish believers, who, after putting their trust in Jesus as their Savior, were now beginning to revert back to trusting in their own works. He reminds them:

Strong words! My uneasiness and stress is directly associated with my unbelief and lack of trust in God – something referred to as “an evil heart of unbelief.”

To be clear- this is not to be taken as if God is angry and calling us evil people. No- our Father is alerting us to an evil that constantly tries to draw us away from Him. We must resist the “evils” of unbelief and put our trust and faith in the Father who wants to give us rest!

Remember when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples during the storm? The disciples didn’t have rest until their circumstances were at peace. But Jesus had rest despite the storm. 

And you can, too!

Father- I confess my proclivity to carry more than I should. I often put more trust in my own works than I do in Yours. 

Today I ask that You would carry the weight of my cares. I ask that You would give rest to my soul. I ask that You would help me trust You with everything that concerns me. 

Today I choose to rest. To trust. 

Amen.