Recalibrate: Part 4- Reclaim Your Rest

A devotional series about reviving your heart, renewing your mind, and restoring your soul

Recalibrate: Part 3- 'Memorize' Isn't a Bad Word

The following post was published in February 2022 from my YBJ Blog:

I'm in the library right now, typing this blog on my phone (which is a first). I'm here, waiting for my son to finish his tutoring session. When I first arrived, I opened my laptop and thought, "Ah, now I can get some writing done for this book." But not long after, my laptop said, "Nope. I've been working all day, and now it's time to rest." At least it has enough sense to know when rest is necessary. It's no wonder, though, because, as I was driving, the Lord prompted me to write a blog, and I was too hard-headed to listen because, "Lord, I'm writing this book." But here I sit, submitting to His call. He works that way sometimes.

So here's my thought, rest. That's it. That's all I got. God knows it's a word for me at this very moment because I'm about to enter a season where unrest is readily available. Work will be ever-present. And the only escape will be in His arms. I feel that if I don't intentionally run toward Him, I'll be running myself ragged in circles, pulling out my hair, and trying to find relief from the ever-present work. More realistically, I'll be jumping into work wholeheartedly, blind to the trap of the hamster wheel, until, of course, I end up collapsing in His arms.

I'm choosing today to be proactive regarding this workaholism mindset of mine. Rest is on my to-do list now. It's on my phone. It's scheduled daily. Rest from the job, rest from my business, rest from mommyhood, rest from ministry, rest from mind-spinning, rest from scrolling, rest from anxiety, rest from... Yes, I will be notified every day, and I will choose to rest in His arms. Who's with me?

The Prince of Peace

As I reread this post, I found myself answering my own question in my mind, “Yes, I’m with you!” It's that time again. Time to recalibrate and reclaim the rest that Jesus promised to me in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (NIV).

I’m reminded of Elijah in I Kings 19 when he was running for his life from Jezebel. He was running, terrified! He was so anxious that he ran himself all the way into the desert, where there was no food or comfort, only heat, and exhaustion. He got to a place where his body was weary, so he sat under a tree and finally turned to God. See, he had neglected to go to God first, and before he knew it, he hadn’t slept or eaten, which led him into a severe depression. He wanted to die.

Let me ask you, have you ever neglected to hear God’s voice speaking “rest” to your spirit? Have you chosen to look for peace through people, social media, books, alcohol, work, or anything else to numb the anxiety that is trying to take hold of your mind? I have. But Jesus says, “Come to me…”

After Elijah prayed for the Lord to take his life, he laid down under the tree and fell asleep. I find it interesting that after laying his burdens to the Father, he could sleep. While he was sleeping, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” The angel cooked him a nice loaf of bread and provided him with water. Elijah ate, got nice and full, then fell right back to sleep.  That’s the best sleep, isn’t it? When you’ve prayed and eaten a good meal.

When my body is worn out, it only increases my anxiety. My mind races, and I am not able to use the wisdom God gave me. During these times, I have to catch myself, kneel in prayer, and incline my ear to the Father. And the message I often hear is to get something to eat and go to sleep. “Rest. You’ll figure it out in the morning.”

The angel woke Elijah a second time, and he ate again.  Elijah was so strengthened by food and rest he was able to travel another forty days and forty nights!

Let’s learn from this story. 

1. When things get stressful, don’t be anxious. Pray to the Lord, FIRST. 

2. Don’t run your body ragged. Listen to it!  When it is time for bed, stop working and go to bed. Whatever you are working on will be there in the morning.

3. Choose to take Jesus at His Word. His invitation is a promise that when you turn to Him, you will find rest for your soul.

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I used to record music :-) I hope this song brings you peace. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Yvonne Marie, M.Ed. is the author of Kill the Busy Save the Bee: What It Really Means to Be Still and Know and Write For Christ Sake: A Guide to Kick-Start Your Book Journey for Jesus. She is the owner of Your Book Journey Consulting, LLC, a thriving business on a mission to help writers, speakers, ministry leaders, and business owners write and publish books. With a master’s degree in education and over two decades of teaching and ministry experience, she has developed the ability to effectively educate, motivate, and inspire others through her gifts of writing, speaking, and teaching. Yvonne Marie is married to Jonathan, owner of I-Witness Photography, LLC, and they have two sons. You can find her at yvonnemariespeaks.com.