When You Need to Find Rest for Your Soul

Do you struggle with resting, especially during a busy or challenging season like the end of the year? I sure do. The to-do list seems never-ending, and rest isn't even on it! And not just physical rest. My thoughts go into over-drive, and veer into the ditches of worry, over-analyzing, and ruminating. How am I going to get all of this done? How will I handle this difficult family situation? What if ….?

Recently I was reminded of the importance of rest- especially rest for my soul.

For the past few weeks, I’ve experienced low back pain, leading to nights of fitful sleep. With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, and the to-do list growing longer, I ignored the yellow caution flag, warning me to slow down (think racetrack :)).

Then, while out running errands in anticipation of our Thanksgiving travel, symptoms of a virus hit me like a semi-truck. Shivering, lightheaded, and nauseous, I immediately drove home and crawled in bed. So much for getting things done!

Huddled under the comforter, I pleaded with God.

Lord, I know that I’ve pushed myself too much. Please help me to rest, and heal me from whatever this is. And protect Tim from getting sick too. We really want to travel to see our kids in a few days!

As I drifted in and out of sleep, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (vs.28)

Yes, Jesus, I need physical rest!

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (vs. 29)

Rest for my soul?

Jesus’s words gently reminded me that what I need, even more than rest for my body, is rest for my soul.

But what is soul rest, and how do we find it?

According to blueletterbible.org, the Greek word for soul used here is “psyche”, a noun, meaning the breath of life, the seat of our feelings and desires and affections.

The renowned preacher C.H. Spurgeon, in his sermon on Matthew 11:28-30, spoke about two types of rest: the rest that Jesus gives, and the rest that we are to find in being yoked to Him. "Rest, Rest by C. H. Spurgeon." Blue Letter Bible.

The rest Jesus gives - When we put our faith in Jesus, He gives us eternal rest, our salvation, through His death and resurrection. We cannot work for this. It is a gift.

The rest we can find- To find, a verb, implies a process of searching and seeking.

When we are submitted to Jesus, and actively seek to renew our minds and align our heart and will with Him.

I love this description of rest for the soul by C.H. Spurgeon:

“The spirit is the spring of rest, as for the outward surroundings they are of small account. Let but your mind be like the mind of Christ, and you shall find rest unto your souls: a deep rest, a growing rest, a rest found out more and more, an abiding rest, not only which you have found, but which you shall go on to find.”

We can actively seek soul rest, even in the middle of chaos and stress.

But how?

Come to Jesus.

In Him, we don’t need to strive and toil to earn His love and rest. He calls us to Him.

Receive the rest of salvation that Jesus gives.

Take His yoke.

When we take Jesus’s yoke, we are coupled with him, and we submit to walking with Him. But He promises that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Learn from Jesus.

When we are yoked with Jesus, He bears the heavy burden, and we learn to walk with Him, in the direction He goes. We can daily align our thinking with His in prayer, and meditation on His Word.

Find rest for your soul!

Not a one-time occurrence, but a process of walking with Jesus, day by day.

With less than two weeks until the celebration of our Savior’s birth, let’s pursue the soul rest that can only be found in Jesus. Join me in practicing one of these daily habits:

·       Journal a short prayer of thanks to God every morning,

·        Visualize taking on Jesus’s yoke, and ask Him to align your heart and mind with His.

·       Renew your mind with Scripture, even praying out loud! Try Psalm 23:1-3.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.”

Dear Friend, no matter what you are struggling with this season, you can take it to Jesus and let Him carry the burden! Know I am praying for you and cheering you on. I would be honored to hear from you, how you are finding soul rest, and how I can pray for you specifically!

May you find true rest for your soul this Christmas season. One day at a time.

**(And in case you were wondering, I recovered in time to travel at Thanksgiving! Thank you Jesus!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!