Last night I took a nice hot bath, soothed my aching muscles
with the heat after a busy weekend getting ready for the first day of school. It’s something I don’t do very often.
(I forget why?) I threw in some lovely
aroma therapy oils, kept the room dark and just relaxed. That is until a happy little 2 year old
skipped into my room and decided to hop in with me (oh yeah, that’s why). Not so relaxing when you end up with grapes
floating around in the water and get splashed in the face. I wouldn’t have changed a thing though, I
know these moments will soon be memories.
I must admit, I have always had to take extra rest, even
before I developed fibro. I’m an
introvert and it always has made me very tired to go out and do anything,
including being with other people (yes even people I love). I need to have some peace and quiet and alone
time to feel restored. Having this
syndrome has made me much more aware of this and from what I hear from others,
it is necessary for us to recuperate after even simple everyday activities like grocery
shopping or going to a lunch meeting. Problems arise when we don’t take this time
to rest. Pain, more fatigue and brain
fog are quick to creep up on us when we push too far. The longer the activity, or more energy exerted,
the more rest we need.
There are different types of rest described for us in the
Scriptures.
Sabbath rest
Future rest in God
Rest/peace for the soul
We as humans need them all! But I’d like to focus on a few verses that
speak about rest/peace for our souls.
These are the verses we can cling to when we know we need rest and can
be encouraged that God will provide it for us!
Jesus speaks right to us in Matthew, “Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29.
He promises rest and peace from anxiety, “Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
Sometimes we don’t even know we need rest and God provides
opportunities for us. (Oh how He loves
us!) “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not be in want. He makes me lie down in
green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
Psalm
23:1-3.
I love love love Psalm 23 and
encourage you to read and study the entire Psalm and find your rest in God
today!
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from
him.”
Psalm 62:5
