Three Signs That Point To A Need For Rest

The holidays are quickly approaching. Are you dreading another family gathering? Do you get exhausted just thinking about all the planning, preparation, and energy it will take to keep it all from unraveling?

God has a way of "pulling us away" to a place of rest and restoration.  

Sometimes it is by invitation, or by His divine appointment.  Other times it is through His grace and coercion. When the weight of the world is pressing down and a sense of heaviness invades your soul, steal away time to refresh yourself. 

Oftentimes the outdoors will rejuvenate you. Go for a walk, take in nature's wonders, and reflect on your heavenly Father's love and care for you. Steal a few moments to separate yourself from others. Take a short nap, or put on your favorite praise & worship music. Read His Word, delving into the Psalms or the gospel of John which is His love letter to us. Discover God's powerful presence and attributes as you meditate on His Goodness.

Here are three things that can indicate a real need for rest:

1.  Lack of focus 

     ~ You are increasingly unable to think clearly due to fatigue, distraction, or over commitment. You have a difficult time staying on task and often drift away mentally. You can barely put one foot in front of the other to finish a task.

2.  Lack of purpose

     ~ Go back in time and reflect on the early days of your spiritual conversion. Recall that God-given mandate you received from the Lord. Re-evaluate your spiritual gifts and remember the contentment and fulfillment you once enjoyed.

3.  Lack of passion

     ~ Identify what drives you to do what you do. God gives you a divine zeal. He loves to reveal His purpose for your life. Let His Word and Spirit direct your heart and pathway ahead. Remember, His way is easier and less burdensome. 

Scripture is full of examples for the need to rest and be refreshed...

King David often petitioned God in the Psalms to give him courage, strength and rest.  In Psalm 37:7 he tells us "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...". 

The prophet Jeremiah quoted the LORD Himself: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

Jesus spoke to the crowds that were pressing in all around Him and comforted them with these words, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

The apostle Paul tells his Hebrew audience, "For we who have believed do enter that rest... There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." (Hebrews 4:3, 9)

In the book of Revelation, John writes down what the voice from heaven spoke to him: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Revelation 14:13)


Below is a poem I wrote in the spring of 2003. 

  Enter My Rest...

Family and workloads, deadlines and tests,

weary and tired, surely hard pressed;

other's demands and schedules left

weighing on shoulders meant for much less.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Steep is the path of life's daily trek -

hard is the road that leads to His best.

Often no thanks or kindness is shown,

only a sharp reply they confess.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Lay aside weights and all heaviness,

leaving behind the hurt and the pain.

Let me restore what value is left.

Come...pull away - be free and be blessed.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

DL McCarragher - April 2003

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  For then I would fly away and be at rest."  (Psalm 55:6)

Life comes at us hard and fast... be sure to slow down and refresh your soul.  

A moment of rest can make all the difference to you and those around you. Rest in the Lord today!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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Three Signs That Point To A Need For Rest

The Meadow Is Looking Mighty Good Right Now...

"God is my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.  You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. you revive my drooping head; my cut brims with blessings. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life."   Psalm 23:1-6 (The Message) 

When a ruddy little shepherd boy named David needed rest - he talked to his Heavenly Father in a way that related to his experiences out in the fields and the lush grassy hills surrounding Jerusalem.  

God has a way of "pulling us away" to a place of rest and restoration.  Sometimes it is by invitation, or by His divine appointment.  Other times it is through His grace and coercion. When the weight of the world is pressing down and a sense of heaviness invades your soul, steal away time to refresh yourself.  


Rest:  freedom from activity or labor; a state of inactivity; peace of mind or spirit.


Jesus often spoke to the crowds that were pressing in around Him and comforted them with these words, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). 

Oswald Chambers had this to say regarding Matthew 11:28 ~
   "God means us to live a fully orbed life in Christ Jesus, but there are times when that life is attacked from the outside, and we tumble into a way of introspection which we thought had gone. Self-consciousness is the first thing that will upset the completeness of the life in God, and self-consciousness continually produces wrestling... Anything that disturbs rest in Him must be cured at once, and it is not cured by being ignored, but by coming to Jesus Christ... The great solution is the simple one - "Come unto Me."

Sheep have a natural propensity to stay near their shepherd. They watch his every move and look to him for their mobility and safety.  They follow him along craggy stone paths, and meander near him in the thick meadow as they graze.  Their shepherd's presence frees them up to rest and refresh without anxiety or panic.

Our Shepherd is a good shepherd and gives His life for His sheep (John 10:11).  Our Shepherd knows His sheep and they know Him (John 10:14).

Isaiah 40:11 tells us, "He [God] will feed His flock like a shepherd; and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."  

When you are overwhelmed with life's demands and pressures, start looking for a meadow.

Your meadow might be a walk in your neighborhood or park.  It might be stealing a half hour for yourself while the kids are playing, or listening to uplifting music in your car. Take in nature's wonders and reflect on your heavenly Father's love and care for you.  Use that time to read His Word and delve into the Psalms.  One of my favorites is Psalm 55:6, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  For then I would fly away and be at rest." 

I wrote this poem in the Spring of 2003. May it minister to your very soul  ~

Enter My Rest...

Family and workloads, deadlines and tests,

weary and tired, surely hard pressed;

other's demands and schedules left

weighing on shoulders meant for much less.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Steep is the path of life's daily trek -

hard is the road that leads to His best.

Often no thanks or kindness is shown,

only a sharp reply they confess.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Lay aside weights and all heaviness,

leaving behind the hurt and the pain.

Let me restore what value is left.

Come...pull away - be free and be blessed.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

DL McCarragher 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

The Meadow Is Looking Mighty Good Right Now...