But truth triumphs feeling every time. And sometimes, the best things for us feel the worst until we get used to them. Not because they aren't worth it, but because they are.
"If you don't make time for your wellness you will be forced to make time for your illness." Joyce Sunada
I've been running on empty for the last six years. Despite my body's cries and pleas to stop, something within keeps me going. It's as if I believe that if I stop, I'll never start again. But how do cars run if we never take the time to put gas in them? How do engines motor on if we never take them in for a routine oil change? How do minds function if we live in a constant state of relentless overthinking?
They don't. But we've believed the lie that they do.
Society's Definition of Rest
Society has taught us that rest is the enemy and busyness is our god. According to the 21st century, what's on a screen three inches from our faces matters more than the dusty Bible still sitting on our shelves. Culture tells us work ethic and productivity matter more than taking a mental health day. Ingrained within us are social constructs and expectations. Do you identify with any of them?
If I miss a day of work, they will think I'm lazy.
If I rest, I must be weak.
If I don't prioritize work over personal time, I'll never get promoted.
How much I work equals how much I'm worth.
Resting means I'm selfish.
Though most of us believe these statements, they inherently aren't true. Beliefs like these are destructive, harmful, and depressing. They lead to burnout, shame, and an addiction to work and productivity. How do I know? Because I've believed all of them.
A Biblical Definition of Rest
Jesus offers us another way. A better and far greater definition of rest. One that isn't selfish, lazy, or weak. One that won't lead to burnout, shame, or an addiction to work.
This problem we're facing isn't new. It has existed since the beginning of time and comes with a pretty simple yet challenging solution. Jesus offered it to His people over two thousand years ago. It took them a long time to listen. I imagine it may take us even longer. But that's okay. Because many people fail to enter God's rest. And while we're still here with breath in our lungs, there is time to learn, change, and grow.
In Hebrews 4, the Scriptures tell us that this issue of rest is common to mankind. Most, if not all people, initially fail to enter the Lord's rest. Despite lacking obedience, this "rest" then and now is good news. And yet, most of us ignore it.
The "Good News" of Rest:
"God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God." Hebrews 4:1-2 (NLT)
God's rest is available to all, but only those who believe can embrace it. God's rest is also a gift to us. Remember, Genesis 2:1-3 (KJV) says: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
God doesn't grow tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28-31), yet He rested after creating the world. Surely, this rest is for our sake and our good. But those who don't believe in God or His promise of rest will never enter it. And that's the facts.
Rest is a promise of God. But rest can be scary (Hebrews 4:1-11). It requires trust and faith beyond what our eyes can see. The Israelites in Exodus 16:4-35 knew this struggle well. Every day, the Lord would provide just enough manna for that day. They were to take what they needed, no more, no less. On the sixth day, God would provide enough food for that day, plus the next so they could rest on the seventh day.
"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days'" (Exodus 16:4-5, NIV).
Despite this providence, the Israelites struggled. Timelessly, God would provide, but again and again, they would try to collect more manna, and it would rot (Exodus 16:19-30). They were also called to obey the Sabbath and not work on this day. Yet, some tried to work regardless and were punished for it. Can you relate?
Rest Requires Trust and Obedience
God desires to give us rest, but to receive it, we must trust and believe. We must learn to enter this rest that is countercultural from the world. There is a reason Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV). It's as if He already knew we would struggle with rest.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: What God tells us about His rest is a promise. It's written in His Word and we know His Word is truth. His Word is factual. It's alive, active, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).
The Word of God cuts through anything and everything. It sees into our hearts and minds and reveals our motivations and desires (Hebrews 4:13).
Rest is available to those who have internalized who Jesus is to them and all He's done for us (Hebrews 4:14).
Rest is available to us because Jesus is three-in-one: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This goes back to the Word of God and what we believe. If we believe in the deity, then we know that Jesus became like us (human) yet did not sin or fall to weakness (Hebrews 4:15) so someday we could enter eternal rest with Him.
Only Jesus, fully God and fully man, could do this for us. He took on sin, shame, and the pain of the cross for us to enter that rest.
Rest Requires A Countercultural Approach
For this reason, Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) ends this way: "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Reminder: our culture will push back against rest. But if we trust and believe in the Word, we will find grace and mercy to help us when we need it most. If you're like me, you will especially need grace to push back against the inability to rest (Hebrews 4:16).
God isn't ashamed of me or you for struggling to enter His rest. His people (the Israelites) wrestled with this continually. But He desires more for me. And He desires more for you! He extends a gentle hand and invites us to remember. To listen and tune into the truth of His Word. To challenge the racing thoughts within us that tell us we can never rest, exchanging them for precious promises of timeless and eternal peace.
Rest is not an easy habit to embrace. It takes discipline, commitment, and prioritization. In the beginning, it may also not feel the most desirable. But truth triumphs feeling every time. And sometimes, the best things for us feel the worst until we get used to them. Not because they aren't worth it, but because they are.
What's one way you can learn to embrace God's rest today? Let's learn to enter this rest together, one step at a time.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Vera_Petrunina
