Find Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP) "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light."

Come to Me and find rest.

So many of us struggle to find rest. With the busyness of our everyday lives, we hustle and bustle in attempt to get things done so we can then find rest. This can be tough for me because a household of 5 can accumulate a lot of dirty dishes, dirty laundry, trash and so forth during a week's time. There will always be more work to do. Laundry is the gift (or curse) that keeps on giving. Dust settles in the home quickly, floors need vacuumed, swept and mopped, dinners need cooked, the dog needs bathed, paperwork needs done and filed - and these are just house chores - not to mention sports, work and church - the list goes on, you get the point.

Finding time to be alone with Him and find rest can be tough. We must make it a priority though. For me, I would rather skip a meal so I can get some alone time with Jesus than eat and feel unrested. I need Him to renew my strength, to grant me joy as I do the never-ending list of chores. He is our strength, so we must unplug from the world and plug in to our quiet time with God. Just repeating the word Jesus over and over, asking for peace, singing a new song to Him, and even better, just being still before Him so we may hear Him speak to our hearts. Allowing Him to be our comforter and provider in the midst of our day is where we will find rest. When we skip these moments, we give in to the enemy's plan and give room for stress, anxiety, worry, fear, and burn-out. Take time each day to find rest in Him. And be sure to regularly evaluate your schedule, if you feel like it's too much, ask the Lord what needs to go. We aren't meant to do everything forever, some things are for a season. Be wise enough to seek the Lord's counsel regarding your responsibilities and always ask for help when it's needed. If you have children - learn to delegate chores and teach them responsibilities now - even those that aren't potty trained yet can learn how to put their toys away - Praise the Lord! Teach, pray, and breathe. Now rest.

Rest - cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength

Jeremiah 6:16 (AMP) Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Psalm 116:7-8 (VOICE) O my soul! Return and relax. Come to your true rest, for the Eternal has showered you with His favor. God, You alone rescued my soul from the grips of death, my eyes weeping, and my feet from slipping.