by Barbara Latta
In the United
States, we observe Labor Day on September 5 this year. This holiday was
instituted to allow workers to have a break from their physical labor.
As many people will be rewarded with a day off from their normal workday schedule on Labor Day Monday, we can use this illustration to remind us to also renew our mental faculties from our emotional stresses. Because worry and concern can wear us out more than physical labor can.
God instituted the Sabbath Day to give His people a respite from their labors. Our bodies need time to wind down, relax, and recharge.
But this day was also a shadow of things to
come through the Savior He would give. A lesson to them that while they did need to take a break from work, if they
would just obey Him, they would find ease for their souls too. He would take
care of everything they needed. They could stop striving and worrying about
what was coming next.
In Hebrews
chapter 4, the writer of the book uses the example of the Israelites who walked
in disobedience to God. They did not enter the Promised Land and they did not
enter His rest. Worry is disobedience and keeps us out of the Promised Land of
peace.
The definition
of worry is to choke, strangle; to shake
or pull at with the teeth.[i]
The Bible tells
us in 1 Peter 5:7-8, Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for
you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls
around like a lion, seeking someone to devour (NASB).
What happens
when we don’t cast our cares upon the Lord? We invite the devil to choke, strangle, shake, and pull at us
with his teeth.
Here are 3 Ways
to Enter God’s Rest:
1. Pray about
everything. Philippians
4:6-8 tells us to pray with thanksgiving, (not for the problems, but that He is
the answer) and then we are to think about what God thinks.
2. Worship. Listening to good worship music calms
the soul and puts our focus on our heavenly Father and not what we face. (Psalm 103:1-5)
3. Take every
thought captive. When
thoughts of dismay enter our minds, we are instructed to cast them out and put
them in prison (2 Corinthians 10:5). We do this by changing our thought
patterns to God’s thoughts. Again, it’s Philippians 4:8.
And when those
thoughts return, give them to Him again, and again, and again.
God’s Labor Day
is cessation from the emotional work of stressful, anxious-filled living. As we
discover and live in our identity in Christ, we will gain more knowledge of the
peace He has given us.
This month's free
download is Rest and Peace.
What are some
other ways you find rest in the Lord? Join the conversation and share your
thoughts.
3 Ways to Enter God’s Rest (click to tweet)
A free download to help find peace for a worried soul. (click to tweet)
As you mentioned, listening to worship music gets my thoughts off myself and my worries and focused on God.
ReplyDeleteYes, worship music can bring peace to our minds. I love to spend time soaking it up. Thank you, TeaLady, for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSo timely, Barbara, and your message is of special meaning to me today. I'm a little stressed and your message and scripture you share brings peace and comfort. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I am glad the message helped remind you to rest your mind. May you bask in the comfort of the Father's arms. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteRest, restoration, and recovery truly stem from God, don't they my friend. Even when I lay my head down at night to sleep, I sleep (and therefore rest and recover) better when I take the time beforehand to make peace with God. I think my favorite way to rest in God is to fall asleep as I'm praising Him in prayer and say "Amen" to close my day. I almost always awaken much more refreshed the next morning. :-) Loved this wisdom-filled post ma'am.
ReplyDeleteYour remedy at bedtime is the best way to fall asleep and wake up refreshed. Thanks for sharing, J.D. Blessings!
DeleteMy biggest challenge with doing these three things is taking thoughts captive. As you said, the seeds of these thoughts are sneaky and crop up when and where I least expect. Your recommendations of prayer and worship are definitely two of the ways I try to get past that. Thanks for the reminders!
ReplyDeleteThat one is the challenge for me also, Leigh. I think this is one reason God talks about our thoughts so much because He knows our struggles. Thankfully, he gives us the remedy.Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteGreat suggestions for finding God’s rest! I want to celebrate God’s Labor Day every day. Candyce
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, Candyce. Living in God's rest will give us peace. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteI had a fresh lesson this week in doing #3, taking my thoughts captive. An uncertain situation left me with fear and a 'gut' worry, and I began to lose sleep over it. By God's grace, I saw it as an attack of the enemy and stopped it by giving all my anxiety to Him and choosing not to pick it up again. I had a wonderful sense that He was going to take care of it--and the next day, He did! Whole situation turned around. Thanks for these good reminders! Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful testimony of receiving God's rest during a turbulent time, Wendy. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Blessings!
DeleteWell that was perfect timing for me. I read Hebrews 4 in my quiet time today. Been thinking about some of those very things and the deeper meanings of "rest." So glad I took a moment to read your reflections. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHebrews contains so many rich lessons for us. Learning to rest in God's peace does take some deeper thinking for us as we do tend to try to fix things ourselves. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, the definition of worry you included makes me want to avoid it. Too often I allow tiny bits of thought to snowball into worry. God commands us not to worry or dwell on anxious thoughts. Thank you for this post I needed today.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, "snowball" is where my mind can roll too often also. Knowing God wants us to give Him those anxious thoughts shows us how much He loves us and has provided rest from worry. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara, for sharing your wisdom. I can always use these reminders.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie, for taking the time to read and comment. Blessings!
DeleteYour post is the 4 one I’ve read lately about rest. I think God is sending a message. Thanks Barbara
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that too, Yvonne. Isnt it cool how He does that? Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, prayer and disciplining my thoughts makes a big difference. Focusing the Lord instead of my worries! I need that kind of rest all the time.
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the Lord instead of worries. I love that phrase, Debbie. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSo much goes on today that causes stress. Thanks for this message of help and encouragement. God bless, Barbara!
ReplyDeleteNancy E. Head
DeleteNancy, we are surrounded by stressful situations. Without the Lord, we couldn't make it. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
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