When I’m afraid to rest

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“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because GOD will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:21-26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Sleep when the baby’s sleeping, don’t worry the housework will be there when you get up.” As a mom, I’ve heard and given this advice to moms countless times and somehow it seems next to impossible to do; at least for me at times.

Trust me I want to rest but I somehow feel that if I do stop to rest that will be the end of world peace and nothing will EVER get done. There are times I am completely worn out from the first half of my day. After getting my boys down for their naps I drag myself with sleepy eyes and a heavy soul to my bed ready to study the inside of my eyelids only for sleep to run away like a stray dog.

I wait, I pray and nothing happens. I scroll, I pray, I wait and nothing happens. I read I scroll, I pray and NOTHING happens. I lie there and then I do it again as I did the day before. Then God whispered these truths on how to rest.

Jodie (replace my name with yours ) this is how I want you to rest:

Mentally- Stop the mental gymnastics cover guard your eye and ear gates.
  • “Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract--let Your priorities be mine], And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.” PSALM‬ ‭119:37‬ ‭AMP

Physically- stop over-committing, actually lay down, etc but cast off the guilt. Although it may be a good idea everything you need is not for this time or for you to take on. This type of resting brings restoration, healing, and refreshing so you're able to endure what’s ahead.
  • “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NIV


 Emotional- everyone and everything is NOT your problem to fix. When you take on that mentality you act like you're their God and you're not. Trust that when you’ve prayed that is sufficient and if I (God)lead you to help, encourage, sow, etc it will be clear. Give ME (God) time to work and do what you certainly cannot.
  • “This is GOD ’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as GOD: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah‬ ‭33:2-3‬ ‭MSG

Spiritual- turn off all of the voices and study My( God’s) word. Too many voices are competing to be heard I (God) will not shout above them I ( He) COMPETE(S) WITH NO ONE!

  • “Go out and stand before me on top of the mountain,” the LORD said to him. Then the LORD passed by and sent a furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks — but the LORD was not in the wind. The wind stopped blowing, and then there was an earthquake — but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire — but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the soft whisper of a voice. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” 1 Kings‬ ‭19:11-13‬ ‭GNB
These truths of correction hit me like a ton of bricks because I realized I was working in my own strength and not God's trying to get things done. I'd allowed myself to accept invitations from the world and well-meaning family and friends rather than completing the assignments God had been asking. As a mom, we tend to do that if not careful spreading ourselves too thin leaving us empty, fragile, and unable to move ahead into the purpose and plans God has for us. It is my prayer that you will reconsider how you rest and make the changes without guilt but with God.



Father, how thankful I am that you bid me to rest in you so you can refresh me. You desire me to be whole and equipped for the journey ahead. Forgive me for taking rest lightly and for granted. I cannot be your hands and feet on the ground if I won't lie down first. Thank you for fresh eyes to see as You do, ears to hear your divine instructions, and mental clarity to remain focused to follow as you lead. Amen



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