Counselor’s Corner: What does it mean to Rest in God?

I like to know what’s going to happen next in my life. I have this insatiable need to figure out outcomes of situations for myself and for others, but this causes an unrest. When you become the “controller” of outcomes, the root is primarily a lack of trust in God. Many people have a deep-seated lack of trust in God because of unanswered prayers, pain and suffering, loss, and an inability to understand the Father’s love.

When you do not fully trust God, you will become anxious, fearful, stressed, worried, and maybe even depressed. Getting to the “roots” of why you have difficulty trusting God will be important as you work towards entering His rest. It is possible to enter God’s rest while going through tough times. This rest will not come through any type of escapism such as alcohol, drugs, TV, or a vacation. It seems to make sense to “do something” when your life is turned upside down, but when you can have complete confidence that God will come through somehow in your circumstance; you begin to enter into God’s rest.

Reflect and ponder: Have you entered the rest of God or do you strive to solve your own problems? Do you trust God and His Word completely?

Counselor’s Corner:

How to enter God’s rest:

1.      Complete trust in Christ. Trust means an assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone. Do you trust God in everything, with your loved ones? Tell God if you have trouble trusting Him in all things, and then ask Him to help you.

2.      Faith in Jesus and His promises, even when your circumstances are the exact opposite of what you are believing God for. The Israelite's did not enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief.

3.      Believing and receiving the Father’s love. Knowing that you are loved and that God cares for you as one of His children can cease all striving and works of the flesh. You don’t have to prove your love to God or to anyone else.

4.      Let go of all control and figuring out outcomes. Submit and surrender your cares to prayer and then leave the finished work to Christ.

Benefits of entering God’s rest:

1.      Profound peace despite your circumstances. Peace means a state of tranquility.

2.      Fears are calmed. Calm means a period of freedom from storms. The “storms” in your life can have the ability to induce fear. In the middle of your “storm” you can have an inner calmness from the unknown.

3.      You will be in a state of rest at all times-trials and joyful times.

4.      You will have a sense of stability. You won’t be shaken by life’s circumstances.

MEDIATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

For anyone who enters this rest also rests from their works, just as God did form His. Let us, therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:9-11