By: Donna Bucher
Many people lament their lack of
ability in hearing God speak to them regarding decisions or the need for
direction in their lives. Admittedly, I felt much the same way for many years,
until realizing I had no problem hearing God's direction. My problem centered
on reluctance in moving forward when I still held so many unanswered questions.
The need for answers paralyzed my
efforts at obedience, strapping me to a defeated walk by sight rather than by
faith. A mindset that not only hindered my spiritual walk but kept me in a
perpetual cycle of anxiety and control seeking. Resting in God without all the
answers seemed both my ultimate freedom and my worst nightmare.
Yet apart from a place of rest, or
abiding in Christ, moving forward felt more like a wrestling match than confident,
well-directed obedience.
Regardless of the many definitions or ideas we entertain about
rest, resting in God without all the answers requires a level of abandonment we
often avoid choosing. Incorporating the following five mindful attitudes
positions us for a walk based in faith, not sight.
Regardless of the many definitions or ideas we entertain about
rest, resting in God without all the answers requires a level of abandonment we
often avoid choosing. Incorporating the following five mindful attitudes
positions us for a walk based in faith, not sight.
- Rest
involves silence. Not outward silence; the silence in
your soul. Anxiety, questions, fear, and control seeking cause soul
disturbance. What needs silencing in your soul? Resting in God means silencing
the noise in your soul. "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my
salvation comes from him." (Psalm 62:1)
- Rest
involves stillness. The noise of emotion in your soul
often speaks louder than God's still, small voice. Drawing you away from God's
Word resulting in responses of fear, shame, defensiveness, or anxiety.
Stillness of soul involves pausing quietly before God, so His voice speaks
peace to your soul storm. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
- Rest
involves dying to self. Choosing anxiety
or worry over resting in God without all the answers cripples your faith and
trust in God. Relinquishing your need for answers to all your what ifs, how to’s
and questions involves dying to the selfish need for control. Placing your
cares in God's hands opens the door for soul rest. "Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1Peter 5:7)
- Rest
involves a place of quiet. Separating yourself
from the noise and distraction around you, provides a place to hear and dispel
the noise of your soul. Busyness keeps you in avoidance mode, unable to
properly confront the true issues troubling your soul. "But I have
calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like
a weaned child I am content." (Psalm 131:2)
- Rest
involves faith. Walking by faith means trusting God's
timing in His revealing all you need to know for each step of your journey.
Surrendering your need for all the answers before you step out in faith leads
to truly resting in God.
Lingering in these five mindful attitudes of rest provided a
nourishing respite from the soul noise stealing my peace. Shifting my
perspective from a "need to know"
all the answers before resting, to a "need
to trust" God for the answers unfolding with each step of
faith and obedience.
Reflection:
Where are you struggling to simply abide or rest in God’s
direction today?
Which one of the five mindful attitudes seems most helpful to
you in your current situation?
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