Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1
Where do you find rest? Not just physical rest but a deeper inner rest. I usually seek what I’d call down time, a period that is unstructured without a to do list, where my thoughts and activities can wander at will. Those moments have been shown to be emotionally healthy and can recharge mental energy and creativity. But sometimes we need an even deeper rest – soul rest. Where can we find that?
The Bible shows us over and over that true rest is found in God.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7
For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Jeremiah 31:25
This kind of rest can be present even in the midst of external turmoil or activity. When my soul is at rest, it is at peace. There is no striving within my soul. I find it only when I fully trust in God Almighty. I think of Jesus sound asleep while a storm swirled about Him. Does my heart have such confidence that I can rest in the midst of life’s storms? Can I stop toiling internally, trusting in His care?
It’s been a hard year, not just for me but for many of us. Right now I’m going to find that cushion in the corner of the boat, curl up next to Him and get some rest, secure in His presence. This kind of rest isn’t the absence of activity; it means I need to let go of managing outcomes and hand them to Him.
I keep hoping for a smoother path around the corner. But even if the road remains rocky, my soul can still find rest because it is found in Him. God can still the storms of life. But even if He chooses not to, He is with me in it. I can rest in His care if I trust in Him.
And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:39-40
