Rest is a personal thing. Everyone rests differently. What really hit me today was the realization that it is no one else’s fault around me if I’m in rest or not. The condition of my soul is on me.
“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32 (NASB)
If I’m fretting (fret’s definition is to “be constantly or visibly worried or anxious” from dictionary.com) it is no one else’s fault but mine. Only I’m in charge of my own spirit. Only I can rule over my own spirit.
If my soul is stressed, stirred up, and busy only I can quiet it, calm it, and bring it to rest.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent]. - Psalms 131:2 (AMP)
Fret and stress come from a place of distrust. At its core, we aren’t acknowledging the presence of God in our midst.
This scripture “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” - Psalm 37: 7 ESV really helped me today. Right before I went to bed I kept reading it over and over and just listening to its simple instruction. My soul was moving at a rushing pace today from start of day to twilight because of much busyness. I could easily bring up so many excuses up that could justify my fretting/rushing/impatient temperament, but I will spare you that long list at the moment. We all have many unique life demands we are facing. In the end, no matter how long my “cares list” is at the moment, I have a God who cares for it all.
Even the work that I create for myself that’s not necessary for the day.
Even for the mistakes I made today that wasted time and energy because I could have done them smarter.
In the end, I can let go and let God. I’m a sheep that has a Good Shepherd. I’m a son that has a Good Father.
In conclusion, it is not anyone’s fault that my life felt too busy and stressed today. It’s on me to slow down. It’s on me to rest. It is on me to come to Jesus for rest. Its on me to cast my cares on Him. It’s on me to be still and know that he is God. It’s on me to trust God and slow down.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 (ESV)