Rest In Him

To Be GREAT In God!

To be great in God, one must be a servant

(G)uard Your Heart
(R)est In Him
(E)ncourage Others
(A)cknowledge Him
(T)hankfulness

Lesson #2  Rest In Him

If you've had situations in your life like I have where you neglected to 'guard your heart' from hurts, disappointments or troubling things happening around you, then you also most likely allowed them to take root and even went as far as to speak negative things out of your mouth.  You become troubled with many things and deep within are screams of  "I can't take much more! Please fix this! Free me from this turmoil! I long for a place of peace!"

We are all going to have troubles or trials in our lives because Jesus speaks of this in John 16:33, "In this world you will have troubles." But He also leaves us a message of hope telling us to "take heart for I have overcome the world."

God made us with emotions but we learn to not let them control us, but must choose to let the Spirit reign.  If something happens that triggers an emotion, it will first always begin with a thought. We have the power through God to stop that thought and cast it down before we even have to allow anything negative to be spoken from our mouth. We learned this in the first lesson about "guarding our heart".  We need to replace those thoughts by renewing our mind continually with the Word of God.  Jesus said in John 14 "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me."

A story in the Bible that comes to mind is about Mary and Martha.  In Luke 10:38-42 we have Martha who was the one troubled and upset about many things.  Her sister, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus.

If our life keeps us constantly worried about work, marriage, raising kids, maintaining friendships, our self image, future goals or dreams, extended family relationship, church issues, time management, personal care (eating right,sleep),financial struggles, or whatever the case may be for you, then we have not completely entrusted these things to God.  Without entrusting these things to God, we make it very difficult to "rest in Him".

When we are troubled about many things, one thing is needful and that is to fall at the feet of Jesus and let Him minister to us just as Mary did.  Also we can build our self up in our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost, as we are told in the book of Jude.  Praying in the Spirit brings a refreshing that is needed.

When troubled about many things, take it all to Jesus, leave it there and we'll come out every time much stronger.  Learn to live from a place of "resting in Him".  Since God is both with us and in us, we can choose to live from this peaceful place of union with Him.  This enables us to stay calm in the midst of stressful situations by keeping our focus on Him.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed (steadfast = to lean upon, to take hold of) on thee, for he trusts in thee.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is everlasting strength".  Isaiah 26:3-4

For us to be a servant which makes us GREAT in God, we must be able to love others as God loves and be able to give help as needed. But how can we do this if we are always caught up in our own troubles and living in a chaotic state?  People without Jesus are looking for a place of peaceful living absent of turmoil and torment, and we that have the Spirit of God residing in us have that resting place to run to during those stormy times and we need to be able to direct others in how they can have that peaceful place too.

"Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him". Psalm 37:7

Anytime we realize we have wandered from our place of peace, we can return to Him immediately by just calling on His Name.  This reconnects us and will help us feel safe and at peace again.  Don't be discouraged and beat yourself up when those "wandering away" times happen.  We are endeavoring to form a new habit that takes persistence and effort.  We are learning and growing in our relationship with God.

"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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

"The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower; the righteous run into it and are safe".  Proverbs 18:10

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance" Psalm 32:7

Resting in Him,

Connie Schmoll
 (Feel free to share with others but please make sure my name stays with the writing)

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HIDING PLACE by STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN