Do you find yourself in a season where God has said, “Rest.”? These seasons can feel more forced than voluntary. It’s as if God has hit the pause button, other times He tells us to rest in the midst of a busy season and we look at our calendar and ask, “When?”
As I prepared to lead the lesson on Created For So Much More REST: Enjoying the Layovers, Holy Spirit gave me this acrostic to help us remember to stay in rest no matter where we find ourselves on God’s timetable.
R= Remember
Take time to think about and worship the Lord for all that He has done in your life.
Isaiah 46:9
“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
E= Establish Restful Habits
- This might be new sleep habits.
- It might mean adding meditation into your life.
- It might mean establishing winding down time after a day of work.
- Perhaps it means taking a walk, cuddling with your fur baby, reading a good book, etc.
Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.”
Isaiah 30:15
“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
‘In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,’”
S= SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES
Take time to share your God stories with others. When you are not busy “doing the work” you can give God glory through your testimony.
When you share your god stories, you overcome the schemes of the enemy.
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death”.
Also, when you share your God stories, you prophesy that God will move again on your behalf.
Revelation 19:10
“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
T=TRY NEW METHODS OF SELF CARE
Taking the time to take care of yourself will bring rest.
-Practice Gratitude:
Philippians 4:6-7
“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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Watch or Listen to a podcast or movie that will make you giggle and/or laugh
Proverbs 17:22
‘A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
-Worship the Lord with song and dance
Psalm 149:3
“Let them praise His name with dancing;
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.”
-Get out in nature on a beautiful day.
-Move and exercise your body in whatever manner makes you happy,
-Integrate deep breathing into your daily life.
–Whatever brings you a much needed exhale…integrate that into your lifestyle as a means of self care.
Resting in the Lord means that you can relax, let go, and be still, knowing that He is God and is sovereign over whatever you are facing.
So whatever speed your life is at right now, implement R.E.S.T. and you will find yourself calmer, more at peace, and living a more contented lifestyle.