REWIND: Finding Rest in a Restless World

Guiding Scripture: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

As women, we usually do a lot of juggling in our households. Many of us have to manage working, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children and other family members. With so much that is expected of us, deep rest can often feel like something that’s always just out of our reach. But what if it’s possible to live in a constant state of resting in God? And even better, what if I told you that God designed you to live this way?

1. Resting is much more than just sleep; it’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, too.
   1. Physical: Self-care, i.e., eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, drinking water, etc.
   2. Mental: Getting counseling to maintain good mental health, using discernment on social media
   3. Emotional: Spending time with close friends and family
   4. Spiritual: Spending quiet time with God, reading the Bible, worship
2. Remember the acronym R.E.S.T.: “Remain Everyday Steady and Trusting”
   1. Remain: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
   2. Everyday: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)
   3. Steady: They [the righteous] will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. (Psalm 112:7-8)
   4. Trusting: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
3. Resting requires boundaries. (Luke 10:42) You have to make it a priority over other things.
4. A warning: If you don’t make time for resting now, you will be forced to rest later.
5. Rest looks different in different stages of life. 
6. Resting in God is like any other habit; it’s something you develop gradually over time. You must always be intentional about pursuing rest.

Action Step: In which areas of your life have you been lacking rest? If you had to pick one area of your life that could benefit most from rest, what would it be? Set aside time to pray and ask God to show you how to rest in Him.