Get Real: It’s Time to Rest

Stressed. Tired. Worried. Frustrated.

For most of you school started about two weeks ago and around here I’ve heard these four words muttered from several students. To be honest, I’ve been muttering them myself lately.

Between school, homework and sports activities you’re finding yourself wishing…no craving time to rest. But not matter what you do you just can’t seem to find it or get it. In addition to the stress of school the pressure cooker seems to build with added worries from your home life. Maybe for some of you, chaos and disorder, while not fun by any means, has become the norm. Mom and Dad seem to fight and argue all the time and your brother or sister constantly annoy you. Friendships that have gone unseen because of summer vacation are normally rekindled with the start of school, but as of lately you find them strained. Your BFF is not your BFF right now. You bicker and fight, blaming the other for the ongoing drama that doesn’t seem to end. Neither willing to budge in the area of forgiveness. And at the end of day you find yourself drained. You’re tired physically and mentally and all you want to do is sleep or find something that will help you cope and give you some rest.

Rest is the God-given capacity to have peace, even when the circumstance that would burden your heart is not resolved. God is our source for rest and even though a situation or issue causing the stress and worry doesn’t go away immediately we can still find and HAVE rest from God. He tells us in Matthew 6:25;

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life.”

Waiting without Trusting = Worrying.

But;  Trusting + Waiting = Rest.

Take a look at Psalm 37. I’ve been reading this chapter today several times and thinking about it a lot. As I look at it I notice some key words or phrases that pop up within the forty verses;

"...trust, don’t worry, be still, wait, care, directs, hope, rescues, helps, and saves."

God is speaking loud and clear in Psalm 37 that our rest comes from him and that he WILL provide it. But we must do our part. We first need to ask. Then set aside whatever you’re doing that you THINK is important and spend time with Him. Get away to a quiet spot. For me I enjoy finding a spot alone some where at a one of our local parks staring at the lake. I know a student that finds her quiet spot laying on the tramplien in her backyard, staring at the stars, praying and listening to praise and worship music. Whatever it is for you where you can find a quiet place go.

Then take those four words that plague our minds; stress, worry, tired, and frustrated and replace them with the promises of God’s Words in Psalm 37. Trust that he will give you rest and peace. Don’t worry. Be still. Wait for Him…he will answer. Let God care for you and direct you. There IS hope in knowing he will rescue and help you overcome your stress. And he will save you and give you rest.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. – Psalm 37:7