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Why is it so hard for us to REST?

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. “ Genesis 2:2 

Over the Summer, I took two and a half days away for a Writing Retreat. The timing of it was amazing after several months of helping my kids with e-learning, working from home, and adjusting to the lifestyle that COVID 19 brought. I definitely needed time away especially to be able to rest, focus, and write.

So, why did I feel guilty for leaving? After arriving at the Air Bnb, I felt like I needed to sit right down and start writing. This was a writing retreat after all. 

And then I saw this sign. It was a whisper from the Holy Spirit. 

Come to me all you who are weary… AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

rest

Rest

I didn’t need to strive more. I just needed to rest. So, I took some time to read, journal, and just be. I also ordered some yummy take out for dinner and savored every bite. 

After dinner, that nagging guilt returned. I felt like I needed to start writing something. But, what I really felt like doing was putting my feet up and reading a fiction book or watching a movie.

The Holy Spirit whispered to my heart once again… REST. 

Why is it so hard for us to take time to rest? I believe it is because we aren’t taught to rest. I also think it is hard for us to rest because we don’t feel like we deserve it.

Lessons on Resting

First, we aren’t taught to rest. Do you remember your parents or school teacher giving a lesson on taking rest time? I sure don’t. But, this is a lesson we could all use.  

In our scripture verse for today, it tells us God rested on the seventh day. God didn’t rest because He needed it. He is the Creator of the Universe. God rested to teach us the importance of rest. He rested on the seventh day because God knew we would need to learn how to rest. 

Isn’t that just beautiful? God loves us so much that He set an example of rest at the beginning of time. Even in human form, Jesus made time to rest. There are several verses of Jesus taking time to rest. (Luke 6:12, Mark 4:38, Matthew 14:13) Let’s follow Jesus’ example and take time out to rest.

rest

I don't deserve it

As I mentioned above, when I arrived at the Air Bnb, I felt like I needed to start writing after walking through the door. We made time in our full schedule for me to getaway. I felt like I had to use all the time for writing.  If I took the time to rest, then I wasn’t using my time well. 

The Holy Spirit reminded me to come to Him and rest even if I felt like I shouldn’t be. Deep down, I think we feel like we don’t deserve to rest. We feel like we have to work to get time to rest. 

God doesn’t require us to work in order to get rest. He did give us the gift of rest but it didn’t come with a tag saying “No rest until you work.” We may not feel like we deserve to rest. 

The truth is we don’t deserve a lot of things. But, Jesus came to break the chains of striving, of working for our salvation. We can’t have eternal life by doing something. It is a gift from Jesus. 

Jesus took time to rest. So, the next time you feel like you don’t deserve to rest, remember that Jesus gave it to you as a gift. The son of God walked on this earth and took time to rest. Let’s follow his example and take time to rest.

rest

Why rest?

I hope this post has encouraged and released you from guilt. God designed rest as a gift for you. At the beginning of time, God rested to show us the importance of rest. Jesus took time out to rest while He was on earth.

Sweet friend, when is the last time you took time out to rest? You may not feel like you have time to rest. I challenge you to take the time to rest this week. Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom. Please comment below and share one way you have rested. Or please share a way you will take rest this coming week.

  • Prayer:

    Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me about why I need to rest. Help me to see rest as the gift that it is. Thank you, Jesus, for taking the time to rest so I would learn how to rest. Please help me to take time this week to rest. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Anastasia Corbin
Welcome, I'm Anastasia!

As an Author and Speaker, I am passionate about sharing God's Word. Check out the Blog and sign up for my weekly newsletter below where I encourage overwhelmed moms to prioritize faith, family, and fitness. If I had a day to myself, you would find me on the beach reading a book.

Love,

Anastasia

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