But, What If We Can’t Rest?

BUT, WHAT IF WE CAN’T REST?

Last week I wrote about the importance of rest. I told you how we all need it. I reminded you that it isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a commandment.

But what if we can’t?

What if it is physically impossible to rest~except for the few short hours between our heads hitting the pillow and our feet once again hitting the floor?

What if our days are full of people who depend on us entirely~ whether that means a job or the littles that belong to you, or both. Maybe a sick child, husband or parent. People who are so dependent on you that there is no physical way you can bail. No way to get away. No way to rest.

And then your days spill into your evenings. Evenings full of responsibilities. Church or sports, meetings or errands. Groceries bought and bills paid. Homework finished and lunches made. Laundry and dishes. Crying babies. Hurting teens. Sick loved ones. Life.

Our evenings turn into late nights with morning right around the corner. No time to breathe.

No time to rest.

And then the alarm clock goes off at 5am and the cycle begins again.

What then?

How can we possibly obey God’s command to rest when no rest can be had?

I have had these seasons in my life. Seasons where concerned loved ones have advised me that if I didn’t slow down, I would fall down. Inside I just wanted to cry~ “you don’t understand. I literally CANNOT stop. People depend on me”.

It has been in these seasons that I have realized a valuable truth.

This may sound counterproductive but~rest takes work. Intentional work on our part. Hebrews 4:9-11

The good news is that we never have to go it alone. In fact, we cannot do it alone. We can only do it through Him and in His power. Psalm 71:16,
Isaiah 41:10

Rest can be had in the only one Who can give it. Our Savior.

We have to be intentional in the 24 hours He gives us each day.

If we allow the busyness of our lives to overwhelm us, every task we face will become a chore and life will lose its joy altogether. We will start to feel alone and sadness will overcome us.

Life was never meant to be lived alone. It was always meant to be lived in Christ and for Him.

So work to be intentional. Retrain your mind to think on Christ every moment you can, and not on your circumstances. For you, that might mean going in the bathroom and locking the door for 5 minutes alone with Him. That might mean talking to Your Father as you shower or put on your makeup. That might mean dwelling on Him and His words as you drive to and from work, as you make dinner, fold laundry, do dishes, comfort that crying baby, take care of that sick parent or loved one.

Don’t allow yourself to be lulled into a false rest when life gives you a few moments to yourself. Don’t pick up your phone to mindlessly scroll, pick up God’s word. Don’t turn that TV on and vegetate, turn to Him and talk to Him.

Intentionally set your mind on Christ and ask Him for His rest. Be relentless in your quest. John 11:22, psalm 61:2, Matthew 11:28&29.

All day, through everything life throws at you, whisper to Him. Let Him be your brace, your hope, your joy, your peace, your mercy and your comfort.

And as your head hits the pillow, you won’t have to worry about what the next day holds.
Psalm 3:5, 4:8. Isaiah 57:2 Overwhelming peace will flow through you. Philippians 4:7

Your feet won’t touch the floor the next morning, because He will be carrying you. Isaiah 46:4, Exodus 33:14

And suddenly, it won’t be work anymore because you will be resting safely in His arms.
Psalm 16:9, 132:14, Jeremiah 31:25
II Thessalonians 1:7, II Corinthians 12:9