From Exhaustion to Exaltation: Surrendering to God's Rest

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As I sit down to pen these words, I can't help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. It's been a long road, filled with challenges, triumphs, and moments of exhaustion. There have been times when I've felt like I couldn't take another step, when weariness settled deep into my bones and sapped the strength from my limbs. In those moments, it's been tempting to push myself harder, to try to muster up the energy to keep going. But through it all, I've come to realize that it's okay to be tired – and that God is always there to help.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus extends a comforting invitation to all who are weary and burdened: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). These words speak directly to the weariness that weighs us down, the burdens that we carry on our shoulders. Jesus doesn't chastise us for feeling tired; instead, He offers us rest – a respite from the demands of life, a chance to recharge and rejuvenate our spirits.

But finding rest in God isn't always easy, especially when the world around us seems to demand constant activity and productivity. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's timing: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." (Psalm 37:7)

Waiting patiently for God's timing can be challenging, especially when we're accustomed to instant gratification and quick solutions. But the psalmist encourages us to rest in the Lord – to trust that He is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see the bigger picture.

In my own life, I've found that learning to rest in God's grace has been a process of surrender – of letting go of my own plans and expectations, and trusting that God's ways are higher than my own. In the book of Proverbs, we're reminded of the wisdom of leaning on God instead of relying on our own understanding: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6). Acknowledging God in all our ways means recognizing that He is in control, even when life feels overwhelming. It means surrendering our worries and fears to Him, knowing that He will guide us through even the darkest valleys.

Of course, embracing our weariness and letting God help doesn't mean that we should become complacent or lazy. In the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of perseverance: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9). There will be times when we feel like we can't go on, when the weight of the world feels too heavy to bear. But Paul encourages us not to grow weary in doing good – to keep pressing forward, knowing that our efforts are not in vain.

Ultimately, finding rest in God's grace is about finding peace in the midst of life's storms – about knowing that we are not alone, and that God is always there to help us carry our burdens. In the book of Isaiah, we're reminded of the strength that comes from trusting in God: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting upon the Lord doesn't mean sitting idly by and doing nothing; rather, it means trusting in His timing and His provision, knowing that He will give us the strength to keep going, even when we feel like we can't take another step.

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In conclusion, it is okay to be tired – to feel weary and worn out by the demands of life. But in those moments, we can take comfort in knowing that God is always there to help us. By resting in His grace, trusting in His timing, and persevering in doing good, we can find the strength to keep going, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. So let us cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us, and find rest for our souls in His loving embrace