How to find true rest

Isn’t it funny that when we have an evening to ourselves we resort to watching TV for satisfaction? Or we numb ourselves with social media for relief hoping to take a vacation from life’s troubles. Or we run to food (or abstain from it) to find comfort.

We tend to bury our unrest so deep that we won’t even think of it. We numb the pain and distract ourselves. But when we turn off the TV, put our phone aside, stop snacking, and transfer back into real life all the burdens return crashing upon us like a tidal wave. Our minds are still overstimulated and our emotions out of whack.

What was supposed to give us rest brought us face to face with our discomfort.

The sweet taste of food won’t resolve the bitterness in your heart. Getting a break, while good and often necessary, won’t heal your inner brokenness. Distractions won’t fix your problems. Coffee won’t cure your stress and overwhelm. 

The thread of rest running through the weave of Scripture reminds us that God wants us to take breaks. He himself rested (Genesis 2:2). He commanded his people to rest by observing the Sabbath and the Jewish festivities.

Rest is important. Taking breaks is absolutely necessary. But numbing our pain and finding relief in distractions will leave us restless. Inner brokenness, a hurting heart, and an overwhelmed mind won’t find cure in distraction but only in God’s presence.

God is the source of true rest, true comfort, and true peace. 

You can work hard while resting on the inside. If your mind is at peace and your heart is calm, you’re truly resting. When our soul finds rest in all the everyday craziness, it is a true refreshment.

When we come to God, just to be with him and to delight in his word, he restores us, heals us, and loves on us. He can give us the kind of rest we deeply long for. God will fill the river of our soul with peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6). If your issues are deep, try therapy or Christian counseling in addition to spending time in the word. 

Comfort can be an idol and numbness a broken hiding point. Don’t run from healthy suffering. The kind of pain you feel while God is healing your inner brokenness is good. When you face your discomfort, you grow, develop, and mature into the fullness of Christ. Then you’ll be free indeed and realize that you’ve found true rest. 

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