worry OR rest?

There is a point in life, or maybe even the week, when we ask ourselves when we are going to take a break and let our bodies get refreshed.  Often we allow our lives to unravel.  We even use all of our strength that zaps all extra energy we may have.

All of us have to make a choice to worry less and to rest more.  I have to be honest about this week.  It has been one where stress was higher than normal.  That means worry was elevated, and it also means that the presence of rest hasn’t been found.

God speaks to us about worry (and I needed this):

Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Do you get the point?  As I read these verses again last night it seemed like in all 10 verses God over and over said stop worrying.  Don’t do it any more.  There is no good reason to worry or to waste your time.

God also talks to us about rest (and I needed this reminder too):

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

The offer from God is clear.  If we put away our worry and stress, we will get rest from God.  This is not about taking a nap or a few days off of work.  It is about allowing God to take the hard things and give us the best things.  Faith brings rest in to our lives.

The choice is ours.  We can give God our worries and accept His gift of rest, or we can hold on to our stress and worries and live without the rest and peace He offers.

I need and I chose the rest God offers.  It isn’t an easy choice.  It is a much-needed choice.  It is also a choice that I have to make so I will be stronger and ready for what God wants to do next. 

We can chose worry, or we can chose rest.  Which will it be for you?