R e s t

It’s been a while!!

I have been so busy lately, that I have not been able to write. In fact, my busyness (and being sick for 3 weeks) prompted me to write this particular blog.

Whenever someone asks me how I am doing, my response lately is usually something like this, “I’m good…just really tired and stressed.”

College is full of so many great opportunities, involvements, social events, and everyone’s favorite…tests. With all those things to do, getting behind on sleep and neglecting to spend time with the Lord is inevitable if you aren’t intentional with your time and health.

I blame our FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) driven society. I also believe Satan uses our busy schedules to distract us from growing in our faith, growing The Kingdom, and taking care of our health. He wants to steal our time, while Jesus wants to give us abundant life. When we don’t make time for God, we are allowing Satan to steal us from the One who gives us a rich and satisfying life.

I don’t know about you, but when I think about it this way, I would choose to have abundant life any day.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 

In order to keep Satan from stealing our time, we must be aware of his schemes and call them out for what they are—distractions keeping us from God.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I have a personal experience to share with you. Part of me is embarrassed to tell you this story, but I think many of you can relate in some way or another.

I had a huge Statistics test a couple weeks ago and I had been relentlessly studying for it all week. I deleted my social media, didn’t work out, didn’t hang out with anyone, and put my relationship with God on hold for the week. I would stay up so late studying, that I had no energy to read my Bible the next morning and would barely make it to my 8:30am class. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. On top of all that, I was sick (most likely from the lack of sleep). Throughout the week my mom would remind me to rest and I disregarded her wisdom because I felt like studying was far more important. The night before my test, I took a Nyquil to help me sleep since I was so sick. The next morning, my worst nightmare came true…I completely slept through my exam. I have never felt so defeated in my life. I had studied for this exam all week long and now it didn’t even matter because I missed it. Thankfully, this story does have a happy ending. I went to the doctor and found out I had a sinus infection, so they put me on antibiotics and my teacher let me take my exam late since I had a doctor’s excuse.

In that moment, The Lord whispered to me, “Brooke you need to rest. Rest is a gift from Me.”

I do not want to have to learn a lesson like that ever again, but I am thankful for moments that teach me more about the nature of God and His desire for us to just be still and rest knowing that He will take care of everything for us.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 

Today’s society wants us to think that resting is not a good thing. We are filled with lies like: “Sleep is for the weak,” or “Some people dream of success. Others stay awake to achieve it.” Although I do agree that you should chase after your dreams and use your God-given talents and gifts, refusing to rest will not get you very far. I had to learn the hard way.

Not only is resting good for your health, it is a something The Lord has told us to do.

So, there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So, let us do our best to enter that rest. Hebrews 4:9-11

The Lord wants us to experience this special rest.

I challenge you to slow down this week.

Make time for The Lord.

Allow Him to give you the special rest that is waiting for you.

Rebuke Satan for filling you with lies that make you feel like resting is bad.

Take care of your health and sleep.

Go watch the sunrise or sunset and remember: The One who tells the sun to rise and set is telling you to REST.

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7

Love, Brooke :)