SLP238 - Rest : Is It Risk Or Reward

Tired eyes rarely see a good future, and a tired mind rarely makes good decisions.” ~ Mike Murdock

One of the most damning traits of the western culture is an obsession with being busy. There is a false supposition many have bought into: if you are not busy doing something, you are not valuable.

In the US, a staggering percentage of people experience depression, hypertension, disease, and so many other challenges, and so much of this is tied to stress, anxiety, and lack of REST.

This episode, I want to talk to you about real rest: living from a place of stillness and quiet, even in the midst of chaos. I want to talk to you about being intentional with your life (living strategically), and re-centering in the rest that God has provided us. Today, let’s discuss Practicing the Principle of Rest.

The Value of Being Still:

He says “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. ~ Psalm 46:10-11 [NASB]

There is incredible value in being still. Being still (and quiet) allows us to:

• Regroup; re-center; re-connect with the One who holds our world in His hands
• De-clutter and de-compress
• Hear HIS VOICE and know HIS PLANS
• Position ourselves for change and transition
• Find peace, confidence, and the courage to go forward

Practicing Sabbath:

Hebrews 4:9-16

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Practicing Sabbath (rest) positions us to receive mercy and grace!

12 Benefits to Practicing the Principle of Rest:

1. It allows you to repair
2. It allows you to reboot
3. It allows you to be renewed
4. It allows you to receive (or be filled up)
5. It allows you to rebuild
6. It allows you to see more clearly
7. It allows you to hear God’s voice more clearly
8. It gives us confidence to draw close to Him
9. It provides you with peace that is not comprehensible
10. It provides you freedom from expectations of others
11. It allows you to release more of your creativity and potential
12. It shifts our focus from what we can do to what God can do when we walk with Him

Closing Thoughts:

• Are you tired, burned out, frustrated?
• Do you feel like you are living your life to please others?
• Are you stressed and anxious about your future?
• Do you feel as if you have to perform in order to feel accepted, loved, and approved of?