Rest for Your Soul
Has your world shattered and left you with no hope for your marriage?
It had been a heavy week, incredibly busy and in the midst of it all, people all around me who were hurting. As I sat down with my Bible in hand, I wondered what it was that God was going to remind me about today. As I glanced down to the blank page of my journal, my eyes fell on the verse at the bottom of the page, “Whoever believes in Me…streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:38 NIV)
What a word picture—not a barren desert, but living, life-giving water. Not black storm clouds either, but living water that was supposed to flow out of my innermost being, not just squeezed out, or trickling out, but full out! The next verse that came to mind was Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest for your soul.”
I had to stop and consider: What does a soul at rest look like?
* It doesn’t worry, using up countless energy being anxious about something that may never happen. Did you know that 80% of what we worry about never happens?
* It doesn’t mean that I don’t care about others, but it means that I leave those cares at the foot of the cross and leave them there. “Casting all your cares upon Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
*It means that I listen and pray and allow God to be God in the lives of those I care most about. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
* It means that I will experience God’s peace in the middle of the storm, not just afterwards. “and the peace that passes all understanding…will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:7).
Lord, nothing has changed since I sat down here with to reflect on You and Your Word. But my focus has changed, and my soul is at rest. Keep me in that place today Lord. Amen.
Questions: What is it that is keeping your soul from being at rest today? How can you practically leave your cares at the foot of the cross? Why is it so difficult? Share something that we can pray with you about today that is threatening to destroy your soul’s rest.
Tags: barren dessert, busy, doris beck, hurting, life-giving water, listen, pray, rest, soul, storm clouds, Thanksgiving, weary, worry
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thank you for this devotional
Somehow only part of my message appeared on the page. I sounded a bit out of my mind with 2 full sentences missing. But the basics were there, praying for all of you and giving it all to God.
I am so glad that my devotional ministered to each of you today. To each of you that is walking thru dark waters, may I encourage you to click on the link at the top of this devo and fill out that form and a mentor will walk alongside of you thru this time.
I would like to pray for each of you too…
Lord for Mel, would you walk this journey with her, guiding her and encouraging her along the way.
For Bonnie, would you help her to know what the next step needs to be so that there can be reconciliation in her relationship with her son.
For Mel, Lord you alone can heal her hurting Lord.
Father, thank you that You know us each by name and You see each tear that falls. Amen
My prayers are with you girls. It will get better, remember that is God’s promise!
First of all, to 10 years. I’m do not want to end my marriage, but I’m at a loss. God, I give this all to you.
My son and I are not talking because of a fight we got in last week and it is taken the strength out of me I want to lay that at the Lord’s feet that he comes around.
This is exactly what I needed today! Thank you!
My husband left us, rejecting me and our children but mostly God. He has been unfaithful again and again. I filed for divorce but it has been emotionally hard and a battle to stay focused on the Lord. It has been six months and I am doing better but I still find myself overwhelmed with sadness and grief. I hate seeing my kids hurting and missing him. I hate all of this.