Encouragement

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Q. How do you rest in the Lord?

Resting in the Lord is not easy. Perhaps it is one of the hardest things to do. I usually have so many things to accomplish that I often begin my day thinking about what needs to be done. For me, the most important part of my day is the early morning hours. It is the time when I can read my Bible and study without any disturbances. I don’t listen to music because it breaks my concentration. Also, I make it a point not to answer the telephone. I havae an answering machine. That’s what it’s for. Let the phone get the message and wait until later on to check the recording.

Each day I set aside time for God, He gives me direction. Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth…The God of Jacob is our refuge.” God is to be exalted. Exalted means to take precedence over other things that may be trying to bid for our attention. If I will quiet my spirit and listen to Him, I will find that my day goes much easier. If I forget to take time for God, then I have left my best friend waiting for me. God is my only security each day, through both the good times and through the rough times.

Listening to Christian music is another way I can relax and feel God’s presence. Music has always been a part of my life. I like to listen to classical music as well as music soundtracks. My favorite Christian songs are hymns and praise and worship songs. Christian songwriters such as Fanny Crosby, Selah, Point of Grace, and Lauren Talley are just a few of my favorites. They have written down their thoughts about their relationship with Christ and as I listen to the songs and their message, I feel calmer. Sometimes I feel so close to God that I join along and sing with the music. Psalm 69:30 says “I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with Thanksgiving.” We are meant to honor God and what better way than to sing about His presence in our life. Even in the Old Testament King Saul had David come into his room and play music to calm his troubled spirit. The Bible also mentions a variety of musical instruments such as the harp, flute, cymbals, and trumpet. We are meant to praise God in song and through music.

Reading Christian novels helps me to relax as I let my mind completely follow the story line. Authors such as Francine Rivers, Tracie Peterson, Janette Oke, and Robert Whitlow are some of my favorites. Their description and insight into characters shows the process by which others turn their lives over to Christ. The novels reach inside me, pull at my emotions and show me that others have problems just like me. If I focus on Him, I can be a testimony to others. They will see the difference God makes in my life and I can share His word with them.

Spending time outside looking at nature is another way I can draw close to God. My mind will often just look at the landscape or the sky above and it helps me to relax. I realize that the world around us is something that God has created and taking time to meditate and just look at His world helps me to feel close to Him. I can look at the petals of an open flower, the green and brown hues of the landscape, and the blue hues of the sky above and see His hand there. I can look at the colors of a rainbow after the rain and recall His promise to mankind given in Genesis. Looking at the wings of a hummingbird flapping rapidly or a picture of a butterfly sipping nectar with his wings tightly against his body inspire me. The more I look at things around me, the more I appreciate what God has done. He is in control and He can handle everything. In Colossians 1:15 we are told “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” God’s world is his canvas of colors painted just for us.

I have always been a people watcher and I slow down my pace to take time to study man. Taking time to look, really look at people and their faces also show insights into God’s world. The face reveals so much. Often I can see the emotions etched on the face. They can range from despair to hope or joy or contentment, or fear. Some people are at peace with the world around them and no matter what happens they seem to be able to handle it. Some people look anxious and are rushed in their daily activities. They walk with a brisk step and are focused only on what needs to be done. They miss seeing others who could use a kind word or may need assistance. When I look, really look into the face of someone I have seen the highest creation of God and am more aware that I am not the only person in the world who has problems. It changes my focus and helps me to know that I can rest in God and let Him solve my problems.

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil or reviling but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (I Peter 3:8,9) Taking time to let God to show me something special helps me to learn to rest in the Lord. God sees each of us as an individual and is interested in us and our personal problems. When trials come my way rather than spinning out of control, I can ask God to help me each step of the way. I don’t have to let my emotions control my reactions. When I rest in the Lord my problems seem less insignificant since I don’t carry the burden. God is in control and he can help quiet my anxious spirit. He is the only one who can give me peace and has my best interests in His focus.

The obvious question now is, are you really that good at resting in the Lord? No. I can talk about it and know what I should do but that doesn’t mean that I always do what is right. I am a human being with limitations and I often fall short of doing what is right. Many, many times I take over the control of my life and end up feeling stressed out. I worry over things that may never happen and can even let fear take over my life.

I try to read my Bible each day and let God guide me into other directions. Yet there are days when I am too busy to take time to spend with God. It’s not right but I do it and I’m sure that I am not the only one. I try to take time to write every day and putting my thoughts on paper helps me to move away from the busy day and focus on God. As I write and let my thoughts flow along with Him, I have another form or peace or rest. My mind focuses on Him and I can move away from distractions and into His presence.

Resting in the Lord is one of the best ways to live life. He takes over our problems and carries our burdens. He doesn’t want His children to be worried or insecure. Resting means that I have to slow down my pace but when I do, I can better see the world through God’s eyes. He wants us to trust Him. He loves us and cares about us. If I remember this, I can relax and let His spirit flow through me so that I can be in touch with His will. Perhaps Psalm 37:7,9, 11 says it best. “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him...those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth...and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Peace. Which one of us doesn’t want peace in our lives? We can find it in His arms and He will guide us each day. And if we have peace we have learned to truly rest in the Lord.

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