How wonderful it is that we get to have Jesus’ rest! One of the areas of rest that Jesus promises to give us is rest for our souls!
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
Being in the right relationship with God and receiving the free gift of Salvation is the starting point for enjoying the rest of God. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and gives us a clean slate to start our spiritual journey as newborn babes. However, this is the foundation and the starting point for our souls to be healed. For our soul to rest, it needs restoration. It also needs to be cleansed and sanctified. For this restoration to take place, we need to partner with the Lord to see the restoration of our souls.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
Our mind is a gateway to all kinds of ideas, perceptions, and worldviews. In addition, our brain has been conditioned with various habits and patterns that will cause us to think of something as reality when it is only an imagination based on past experiences.
If we are going to enter God’s rest, we must allow Jesus to take control of our thoughts. We need to do our part in holding every thought captive to His obedience. We cannot experience the rest of God if allow our minds to run wild and think about whatever comes to it. An uncontrolled thought life will bring about double-mindedness and will steal the rest and peace that God has in store for us.
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Psalm 108:1
David was a worshipper, and He continually encouraged himself in the Lord. David was very open and vulnerable with his emotions, and when he was downcast, he told the Lord about it. However, David would not stay there. He fought through those emotions by worshipping the Lord and making music to Him. He thanked the Lord continually, and in this, his soul was restored and comforted by the presence of the almighty God!
If we want to find rest for our emotions, we need to protect ourselves from all the negativity out there that comes in the clothing of news and politics. Instead, we need to focus on praising God for who He is and what He is doing in and around us. The quieter we choose to become, the more opportunity to have rest in God.
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:29-33
Finally, our will needs restoration by being submitted to the will of God. It is easy to think our will is submitted when we like or agree with what is going on. However, it is another story when we don’t like or agree with what the Lord’s instructions are for us.
While the love of God leads us to repentance, the fear of the Lord helps us to stay within the boundaries prescribed in the Bible. In this place, there is safety and security. When we allow the fear of the Lord to keep us within his boundaries, we can rest in the green pastures that God has for us knowing that we are protected by His mighty hand, and we can rest in His presence.
Do you have rest in your souls? Is there a weak area in your life? Pray and ask the Lord to help you to be restored in your soul and to come to His place of peace and rest.