Rest

Have you ever had a day that unexpectedly pops into your mind, bringing a rush of emotion? We all carry memories of moments we wish we could forget, but those aren’t the ones I’m talking about. I’m thinking about the days that make us smile—a spark of joy as we relive a memory, a time that warms our hearts and reminds us of the beauty in life.

One such day for me is my mother-in-law’s funeral. Don’t get me wrong, the day was extremely sad. If I close my eyes, I can remember the pain of the day, the well wishes of so many friends and family, and the emotions of saying a final goodbye. But what was so precious to me about that day was a moment with my son. We were at the meal following the funeral, which was happening for a while. My son, who was four at the time, grew very tired. He was overwhelmed by all the people and chaos of the day. He came to me at one point and wanted my attention. I picked him up and continued to speak with people. He fell asleep on my shoulder as I gently rocked back and forth. Exhausted by all the events of the past several days, he could no longer stay awake. He wanted the comfort of his mom and to rest. This memory is precious to me because it reminds me that my son felt safe in my arms, could shut out all the noise around him, and sleep.

Recently, I found myself wrestling with anxiety, my mind swirling with uneasy thoughts as I tried to fall asleep. This treasured memory from 18 years ago surfaced at that moment, almost as if God Himself brought it to mind. At first, my thoughts focused on my son, but then the image changed, transforming into something even more profound. I saw myself resting peacefully on Jesus’ shoulder, cradled and carried by Jesus. It was a gentle reminder to trust God in all situations and relax. Just stop running and wrestling with my cares in my strength. Trust and rest in the one who created and sustains, protects, and provides for me.

It is such a beautiful and comforting picture to be held by Jesus. My parents hung a picture of Jesus holding a small child in our home. Both were radiating happiness and joy. I grew up with this picture, so I never thought much of its significance. As my father’s health deteriorated, this picture brought new meaning to me. I could picture my elderly dad as the small child, held by his Savior, smiling brightly. This image brought me such peace, knowing that God the Father saw my dad as a little boy to love and protect even as my father struggled in his earthly body.

These two memories have led me to think about resting in Jesus, a practice I struggle with. It is hard for me to shut my mind off when I feel there is so much to do or I need to control how something gets done. I am discovering that God wants me to slow down and, in some situations, stop. He wants me to rest. He does not need my help to lead me on the path He has designed for me.

I often wrestle with the idea that rest means the absence of activity. But I’m beginning to realize that rest can be entirely different—it can be active, purposeful, and restorative. Acknowledging this has brought me new hope.

God’s rest is not necessarily physical, but I believe it can be. Elija was running for his life and was exhausted. He rested under the broom tree and was fed and ministered to by an angel (1 Kings 19:4-8). However, most of my unrest comes from my restless heart, my mind that won’t shut off and keeps replaying a situation. God wants to set me free from my negative thoughts. I am a new creation once I accept Christ as my Savior. The old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Along with a new mindset, I need to renew my mind daily to combat my sinful nature. I must stay close to Christ to overcome the obstacles the enemy puts in my path to deter me from living fully in the joy, peace, and hope available. I have found that the fastest way to stop the negative thoughts is, when they appear, to stop and pray. I want to say that I have gotten better at doing this immediately, but sometimes, I may go down the slippery slope of self-pity before the Spirit reminds me to pray and not face this dark thought or attitude alone. The other spiritual practice I have found to help is putting on God’s full armor every morning. This practice is another level of protection from the enemy (Ephesians 6:13-18.). Verse 15 says, “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains that this refers to a believer’s stability and strength from the gospel. This stability gives us peace as we face our battles.

Only through our relationship with Christ can we find complete rest. (Matthew 11:28-30). Also, only in Jesus will we find complete peace (Jesus as Prince of Peace). When we fully give everything to God and hold nothing back, we will see the joy, peace, and hope our souls long for. Once we fully embrace the love our Savior has for us, we will experience unexplainable joy in being held in our Savior’s arms. As we let His love take root in our souls and deepen our relationship with Jesus, we can’t help but radiate a vibrant, overflowing joy. This joy allows us to tell others about the extraordinary work of our loving, protective, faithful God.

We can feel completely safe, loved, and comforted as we imagine Jesus holding us. Psalm 91:4 shows us a heavenly Father who completely covers us with his presence, giving us refuge, and his faithfulness will shield us. We are not meant to face life alone. There’s such comfort in knowing we’re safe in the arms of Jesus. Fanny Crosby’s old hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” captures this feeling so beautifully. It’s a reminder of His faithfulness to hold us close, no matter what physical or spiritual trials we face.

The joy of accepting Jesus’s love is like being wrapped in the safest, warmest embrace, where every fear and burden melts away. I feel genuinely seen, deeply loved, and completely at peace in His arms. Together, we share a joy that fills my soul to overflowing. I am His beloved, held tightly in His grace, and my heart sings with joy, knowing that this love will never let me go.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how much the Savior loves and holds you close.