Day 15 of 21 Days of Prayer! How hard do you work? For that matter, how long do you work hard? In these days and times, people work harder and harder just to make ends meet or to fulfill selfish desires. But God has things in mind for us that require us to learn how to rest. Rest is something the Bible speaks of and we are encouraged today to seek the rest of God to have inner peace that passes understanding.
Psalms 127:2 tells us, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep (King James)." God wants us to be productive, that honors him but anxiousness dishonors him. As we honor God, he will be committed to us when we are resting. God wants believers to lay aside the toil of this world, lay aside needs, and quietly bring every matter to him. He will refresh us. He will guide us. He will give us new thoughts and new aspirations in rest.
RESTING is the Cure for BURNOUT
Resting is a sign that we trust God to do the impossible. As we rest, God will deliver us from the fret and uneasiness of life. God will use us in ways that we have not yet imagined. Notice how Jesus slept amid the tumultuous storm at sea (Matthew 8:24). How was Jesus able to accomplish this? Jesus was quiet in spirit because he knew that he was in his Father's hands. Trusting in the safety of his Father, the billows rocked him to sleep. We could experience this more often if we were more like HIM. God will provide for us the inner peace, even answered prayers when we rest.
OUR PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for trying to accomplish things in my own strength. I acknowledge that I need rest because it refreshes me. As I rest, I ask you for inner peace like Jesus demonstrated when he rested during the storm. Your word promises me the refreshing as I honor you. I am depending on you to guide me to a quiet place where I can hear your voice leading me to the path of creativity, perfection and completion. Thank you that I am no longer vain, void, and unproductive. I will do what is necessary to find rest. I am committed to your calling. I am a producer. I am a contributor. And I will be refreshed every day because I trust in the safety of the Father's hands, in Jesus's name, amen!
~Inspiring hope & seasoning faith, Pastor Sean Daigre
Dr. Regina M. Daigre, Prayer Firewall Blog Editorial Director