Rest For Renewal

We live in a culture that values productivity and busyness. The more activities that we have on the calendar, the better. We have truly mastered the glorification of busyness. We value checking things off a list and seeing what we can accomplish in a day. Can you relate? I’m really good at being productive. I love to get things done and to have something to show for my efforts. It feels good, and in a twisted way makes me feel like I’m worthy of something. When our worth is tied to our accomplishments and the activities, we are involved in we are headed down a slippery slope. 

Friend, there is a better way. The way that God has for us. Our identity is in Him alone. Once we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are adopted as daughters of the Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth.  

One of my favorite worship songs is No Longer Slaves. The lyrics say, “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.” That’s the beauty of our adoption. Once we become a member of the family of God, that becomes who we are. Our productivity does not define us. Our ability to multi-task does not define us. The things that culture deems valuable and worthy do not define us. We are no longer a slave to what culture says is important. We can let go of all the busyness and grab hold of what the Almighty has for us.

Consider Psalm 62:1-2 from the NIV:
“Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Hear that, girls? Our soul finds rest in Him. He provides a place away from the busy. Our soul, meaning our mind, will, and desires finds true rest in Him. My soul, if left to its own devices, will often get me in trouble. I am what my mom has called “strong-willed” since before I was born. My birth was traumatic for her, she had been in labor for many hours already and the doctors needed to give her anesthesia so they could remove me via forceps. When I was older, she had to tie me in my highchair and put her knee in my chest so she could buckle me in my car seat. I won’t get into my teenage years! Since my own will is strong the only option is for me to go and find rest in God. When I find rest in Him my will, mind, and desires, can be transformed to be more like His. This can only happen through rest. When I slow down enough to let Him speak to my soul my will and desires become less and He becomes more. When I slow down enough and rest, I can surrender to what He has for me.   

Why can our souls find rest in Him? I believe the next three lines of this passage are why. Because we have salvation which means freedom from what has enslaved us. Whether it be our to do lists or an assortment of other things that we misplace our worship in, we are free from those things so we can rest in Him. He is our rock. He is sturdy and unmovable. He is also our fortress. Fortress is a military term for where the troops are stationed. The fortress is meant to protect the troops and provide a place of defense and security. Imagine, just for a minute, you find rest in God and He is there protecting you while you rest. You enter His fortress where He provides a place of security. While the world is telling you to keep going, He is providing a place, a safe place, for you to rest.  

When we rest our soul gets aligned with His and we can let go of all the things that have taken over our lives. When we rest, we also experience a renewal. When we keep trying to do all of the things, renewal is impossible. When we are participating in the glorification of busy, we become broken, worn out and run down. To experience renewal, we must rest. We need to hide away in the fortress of the Almighty and allow Him to renew us.  

If you struggle with the idea of resting, I’m with you! One thing that has helped me to rest is to intentionally take some time every day to shut off all of the noise and sit in His presence. Sometimes it’s 3 minutes, sometimes it’s 15. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to rest in the fortress of the Lord:

• Sit in the car before I walk into the office or in the house.

• Taking a few deep breaths before eating a meal.

• Go to a place in nature and enjoy His creation.

I challenge you; this week find some pockets of time and commit to resting in His presence so you can experience the renewal that He has for you.

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Elizabeth is originally from Upstate New York and relocated to Las Vegas in the spring of 2011 to enjoy the sunshine and . She has been married to her hubby for more than more than 15 years and they have two rescue dogs, Aria and Durango.  
Elizabeth is the owner of New Life Counseling where she works one on one with individuals who have survived traumatic experiences, suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. While Elizabeth loves seeing the change and healing that happens through one on one sessions with her clients, she felt the call to expand her business. In the spring of 2021 she founded The Stress Less Academy. Elizabeth has a passion to help overwhelmed and stressed Christian women manage their stress from a Biblical perspective. She educates women on how to set boundaries, manage their stress, and live the life the Lord has called them to live. You can read more of her writings at www.thestresslessacademy.net Elizabeth also hosts The Stress Less Community Group on Facebook where there is a community of women banding together to live a Stress Less Life, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/303089754306655