The Practice of Rest

January 15, 2012 By Jessica

Rest.

It’s a word we say often. We prescribe it to friends and family alike. “Just rest,” we say. “Just relax. Trust in Jesus. Cast your burdens on him.” We spout words like weeds after a spring rain.

Rest is easy. All we have to do is stop doing.

If only it were that easy. If only we could rest away from the hurried life. Maybe escape to a walk on the beach, a weekend away from responsibilities and priorities, or our own backyard tree house. Just give us some place to rest apart from the hurry, demanding, tick-tock of the clock that is life.

Stop doing. Cease striving. Rest.

But how? How do we rest amid the crazy chaos? How do we breath like a walk on the beach and sea windblown hair when the kids are so loud you can’t hear yourself think or you’re not sure if the doctor’s appointment was today at 3pm or tomorrow and it’s time to cook dinner and the meat is still frozen?

How do we rest then? When meltdowns and late nights, loneliness and overscheduled calendars, rising scales and unbalanced checkbooks take their toll?

How do we rest when God seems far off, when troubles are great and near, when diagnoses don’t look good?

When life is crazy, short-breath stressful, and a cease-fire doesn’t seem to be in sight, how do we cease striving then?

This year I have one aim, one goal. I want to learn rest.

It’s a four-letter word in my life. But, rest? I know it is good.

I want to move beyond the Christian sentimentalities of “trust Jesus” and “cast your burdens on Him.” I don’t want to just hear about rest, read it in a book, or put it on my list to do. I want to breathe rest. I want to move in the still place trusting God, relying on Him every crazy step of the way.

I know the right answer. But I want to move past the knowing and practice rest. It’ll be my experiment for the year. The practice of rest.

Join me?

******

How do you practice rest? Do you struggle with stopping the to do list and cease your striving?

How do you keep close to Jesus amid the chaos?

Want to you The Practice of Rest experiment with me?

photo credit

Pingback: Reflections of a Princess: ... the musing and meanderings of a daughter of the King ...
http://mendinghope.com/ Hope Wilbanks

Rest…something so many of us often neglect. It’s what I’m needing most right now, too. Rest for my mind. Thanks for a thoughtful post!

Jessica

I hope you find it hope and the Lord meets you there.

netty

WOW, great post. I have contemplated “resting” on Sundays, but with two kids under 5 years old, and being 6 months pregnant and with a husband who is a firefighter, it seems impossible. But I do want to pray aobut it and ask God to show me HOW to rest. Even in the midst of my current situation. Thank you for this post. I know that REST, will make me a better mom (and wife).

Jessica

This is pretty much exactly where I’m at. Our family just came out of a season where my husband was working 4 10hr days a week, but second shift (midday to midnight) and going to grad school a couple of days a week. During that time I had a toddler, got pregnant, and then had a toddler and newborn. So for 2.5 years I’ve been operating on survival…still trying to get out of that mindset.

Barb Spencer

What a great post. It’s a challenge to rest, for sure. We want to FEEL rest, but Scripture tells us we have to capture our thoughts and make us obedient to Him. It definitely is a practice and one I need to work on. Thanks for the great reminder.
Guest

I am totally with you in the Practice Rest experiment. I believe it is more my mind that needs to rest and trust in the Lord then actual physical rest. Thanks for a great post.

Jessica

Most definitely…me too.

Wdbuchanan4

I just blogged about this same thing. It’s a journey I am setting out to experience as well, BUT free of guilt. I prasie the Lord for people like you that share these struggles so I don’t feel alone.

Jessica

Guilt-free rest. I like that. It’s so easy to feel bad about not finishing the dishes or getting a head start on the next thing…at least for me.

I want rest to be a natural part of my life and persona, even if I’m in a hectic season of life. It’s the mentally, spiritually, and emotional aspects of rest I struggle with and the Lord’s teaching me.

Kathy Sykes

Join you? But of course!! The more I mature in the Word and living of Christ, the more “rest” I find! I don’t have it all figured out now, but “studying” His Word is the best method to learn to find rest!!
Kathy Sykes

Join you? But of course!! The more I mature in the Word and living of Christ, the more “rest” I find! I don’t have it all figured out now, but “studying” His Word is the best method to learn to find rest!!
Jeff & Kim Barrett

LOVE this! My “word” for the week has been wait. Wait? Seems sooo hard to do! It’s funny cause I’ve been asking God what He wants me to do while I wait & then I read your post REST!! Sounds good, I’m in!!
http://www.wisemommies.com/ wisemommies

Thank you Jessica, pleasant post. Rest is important. I learned how to rest when I lived in Germany. Everything being closed on Sundays helps “force” you to rest and remember the day for a day with God, a day of rest, a day of family….www.facebook.com/wisemommies
Heather Brandon

I’m in! Even the concept of Rest has so many different aspects to me. I would love to be conscious of getting more of it in my life!
http://www.christian-momma.com LaToya {Christian Momma}

I’m in, too! Rest is my word for 2012
http://thechuppies.blogspot.com/ Kara @ The Chuppies

For me…
-rest-
Is like the concept of…
-listen-
I’m so quick to speak, to act, to move…
I want to stop and…
LISTEN
to Him.
Several times this past month I’ve found myself praying Zeph. 3:17…
(for myself and for others)
That He will “quiet my heart with His love”.
Great post Jessica…
Love,
K

Jessica

Oh my gosh, yes! I am most definitely a doer…moving to action is my first response. Listening is a continuous lesson for me.

Tamarab71

I believe that if we make it a daily priority to set some time aside before starting each day to just pray and read His Word that it can make a huge difference in how we face our days. Taking time to just talk to God and pour out our hearts to Him and just praise Him can help give us that inner strength and peace in our spirit just knowing that God is in control and that He is with us to guide us through whatever comes. I’ve noticed a big difference when I neglect to begin the day with Him and when I do. I hope this helps a little.
Jodie

I feel like I’m called to rest in the arms of Jesus the way my babies have rested in my arms while nursing. It is a peaceful calling that reaps beauty when fully embraced.