“Truly, my soul finds rest.” Rest. The very word might as well be written in Egyptian hieroglyphics. If asked whether I get enough rest, my response is usually laughter followed by, “Rest, what is that?” I’m guessing that isn’t the “right” response especially if asked by a healthcare professional. In our culture, it can feel as if we are becoming self-made prisoners to every man-made god we give our attention to, whether that be travel ball, toxic relationships, social media, or addictions we just can’t kick. Busyness, socially-encouraged narcissism, political tension, brother-to-brother conflict, the rush of chemicals to our brain when using the device in our hand, and self-obsessed social platforms—we never imagined these things would become celebrated, much less idolized. “God is our refuge.” A refuge is a place of peace, safety, and predictability. Our exhausted, heavily medicated, and anxious society knows little of refuge in God. We seem to shame the very idea of participating in rest or respecting the Sabbath. Why? Rest acknowledges a dependency on the Lord by exposing our weary mortal form. To expose human fragility through admitting the need for rest is to acknowledge that there is a God worthy of our worship in the quiet still moments of rest. Rest tends to be associated with weakness and vulnerability. As believers, we know that even in this human form we are made strong by the grace of God. The enemy, however, prefers warping this reality into a self-dependent culture. Lysa TerKeurst once said, “If the enemy can isolate us, he can influence us.” If we become so dependent on ourselves to make it, we won’t.

“My salvation comes from Him.” I don’t know about you, but I make an awful god. If salvation were to come from my own making, the world would be doomed. I can be emotional, impatient, anxious, and my sinful temper seems to await just a simple invitation to present its legalistic gavel. If you notice, this passage is very repetitive. That’s because it is a hard point to drive home. The Lord is well aware that His precious creations often fall victim to their own stubbornness, hence the repetition. In allowing ourselves moments of rest, we are creating sacred space for a spiritual encounter with the Lord, because, at that moment, we are blanketing the noise of our world with silence. What if it is your pride is interfering with that soulful rest? “My salvation and my honor depend on God.” As a woman, there can be insecurity and fear in stepping away from work. I believe that society whispers a very specific shame in the ears of women, causing constant tension between work and home life. We want to excel at both. The Enemy wants us to feel as if we’re always failing in one area or another. Even if we are ahead, we are still left with this false belief that we are so far behind. Men, I see you too. Carrying both your dedication to duty and the pressure of providing can be crippling. I am aware of the exceptions to these societal rules, but overall there is a general tension we see in our world when it comes to wrestling with rest.

Trading refuge for the idol of busyness, noise, addiction, and distraction stimulates legitimate physical and mental health problems, like anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure. Rest is a thing of God, but we know this world has never been inviting of heavenly things, not even of Jesus. Therefore, rest must be intentionally sought out because of spiritual warfare. This chapter convicted me because I can’t stay seated for more than five minutes without feeling guilty about it. My spirit knows where to find rest, but my body in the flesh often refuses to acknowledge it. Maybe it’s the illusion of control, but my brain prefers to be racing. What about you? Do you avoid rest? Does the busyness give you a false sense of security and predictability? Does the busyness numb out a pain you’re avoiding? Do you enjoy the immediate results of work or instant validation of your academics? Like the refugee, we seek asylum from warfare, both in body and mind, so pour your heart out, weary traveler. Allow God to pull you in from the troubled waters. Set down your bags. Clock out. Let Him ease your stomach pains with the bread of life, quench your dry tongue with living water, and allow Him to refill you.

• When you’re feeling overwhelmed and empty, how do you rest? How can you practice resting in the Lord?

• Take time this week to unplug and take refuge in the Lord through prayer, meditation, and worship.

Family Application: Rest is important.

• Do you like taking naps? Well, they might not be so bad after all. Rest is important. It helps our bodies recover and grow. Rest is not just important for our bodies though. Even God took time to rest after He created the world. Rest is important because when we rest it lets us have more time to be with God.

• Find time to set aside to rest this week. Then use that time to have a conversation with God or read your Bible.

• After you read your Bible or have a conversation with God during your rest time, tell someone about what you read. You could talk to your teacher, your coach, your friend, or someone in your family.

• Prayer: God, you are worthy of all our praise! Thank you for making me and knowing that I need rest. God, help me rest. Lord, help me learn your Word when I rest and tell the world about you. Amen.