Thursday, September 15, 2022

The Serenity of Rest

 


By: Donna Bucher

Turning the question over in my mind, I realized the calm beating of my heart and relaxed posture spoke peace not dread. Could trusting God from a place of rest give me the courage for moving forward in faith rather than fear?

Trusting God from a place of rest, allows us the benefit of intimacy and safety before commitment. When we practice resting in God especially when we don't have all the answers, trusting Him flows naturally from a place of intimacy. In a place of resting in Him, we relinquish our fear and anxiety; knowing Him as our salvation, we trust without fear.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2

 

In the safe, tranquil place of God's Presence, our hearts and souls timidly step into trust. Rushing or brow beating ourselves into a place of trust from a posture of turmoil or the fear of uncertainty only sharpens our doubts and increases our anxiety.

Pursuing the serenity of rest in intimacy with Christ fosters trust, which in turn maintains our rest.

When God specifically asked me, "would I obey and continue walking the rocky path before me if He chose not to change the situation", my heart slipped easily into trust. Because He graciously taught me how to find the true spiritual rest my soul needed, from the safety of intimacy with Him, a question normally sending me into trepidation, now posed no threat.

 

STEPPING INTO TRUST

Upon reflection, I noticed the practical steps God led me through while postured in rest towards trusting Him.

Praise. Almost surprisingly, while fellowshipping with Christ from a place of rest, I noticed my first responses were that of praise. All my striving and working at finding rest stood powerless in stopping the turmoil within my soul. Once resting in Him, praise poured from my lips. Praise and gratitude ignite joy, which in turn weaves me into a tighter union with Him. (Hebrews 13:15)

Vulnerability. Resting in the Lord creates a safe place; a place where I feel heard and seen. Rather than fleeing in fear and anxiety, I am open to the vulnerability of sharing where my heart hurts and what fears assail me. No longer compelled to hide from God, I lean into His protection and comfort. (1 John 4:18)

Remember. Trusting God from a place of rest encourages me to remember what He has already done. I highly recommend journaling; having a record of struggles, prayers, answers, and gratitude powerfully reminds us of God's faithfulness in the past, urging us towards trust for the future. (Habakkuk 3:1-2)

Accept. Perhaps the crucial component for me, was accepting God's will. Surrendering my will to His, involves trusting in His good purpose for me or my loved ones. Such acquiescence cannot flow from a place of anxious doubt, but only from a place of serene calm. (Romans 12:2)

 

God, in His sovereign kindness shepherded me beside the still waters of His intimate knowledge of my deepest needs. Gently drawing me into the safety of His loving heart, where my troubled spirit not only found rest, but solace.

From a place of tender intimacy, He graciously nurtured me towards a deeper trust in Him. Believing my life still has significance and splendor despite the presence of suffering and darkness results from trusting God from a place of rest.

 

Where are you struggling to trust God today?

 

How can you lean into a place a rest and intimacy with Jesus to nurture more trust in Him?




















Find more encouragement and FREE Resources at Serenity in Suffering!

 

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1 comment:

  1. Donna, I have to tell you this is a very soothing message. This really lifted me up today.

    ReplyDelete

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