Unshackled Moments ~ September 1, 2021 ~ Peace And Rest

A friend requested prayers for rest and peace, and the way the request was worded clearly revealed the desperate need and the truth of it. This was not a drama moment seeking to feed the jones of an attention junkie but a cry for help. Of course, I have been praying for him since, but I also began thinking that he is most certainly not unique or alone. The world is out of control, and in every direction there are messages of fear and responses of anger or panic, and if you only hear and see those who post most or yell the loudest, the divisions between us all seem to be getting worse rather than better. It feels like we are in the eve of destruction, and no one can figure out how to keep the guy next to him from opening the gift that sets it off. We of course, think we know the best path forward, but it looks to our neighbor like we’re the one with the dangerous gift on destruction’s eve.

 

So, the whole world reacts to the world reacting, which leads to more reaction at a greater intensity until all we hear is the feedback loop of fear and anger getting worse and worse. There is no peace, so how can we rest? Well, first, get quiet. Not don’t speak or cry out or ask for help, but rather don’t add more input into the cycle of anger and reasons we should all fear. Is that the solution? No, but you can’t apply any solution and simultaneously add to the problem. Stop feeding the beast.

 

Next, stop chasing peace and rest. It seems counter-intuitive, but when to chase these things, we are running after the results instead of seeking the source that provides the results. I know it’s like the hottest part of August right now but bear with me and imagine or remember if you will what it is like to be outside in the cold of winter. You’re freezing cold and desire little more than warmth. We can bundle up or move around, but the best way to truly warm up is to get close to a source of heat. Warming is not a result of finding warmth, but rather of finding a source of protection from the cold and of drawing near to something putting off heat.

 

When it comes to peace and rest, our instinct is control. If we control what it making us anxious, then it won’t make us anxious anymore, right? Wrong. Control is an illusion, and in our hearts we know this. The more we try to control what can’t be controlled, the more out of control everything feels, the more we twist ourselves into knots and the less rest we find.

 

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) The work that burdens us is the work of trying to control what we can’t control, ourselves and others. Basically, it boils down to the weight of trying to save ourselves. But when we step into the yoke of Christ, He does the work, and we are walking along with Him at rest because the weight of what needs to be done is no longer on us.

 

Hebrews tells us to strive to enter the rest o God, which tells us two things. First, there is a rest that we can enter. Second, we have a part, something to strive for. Our part is to stop our work to save ourselves and control everything. This passage, chapter 4 of Hebrews, is speaking of the Sabbath rest of God, where we stop our labor and rest in Him. We trust God. It sounds simple, but sometimes the simplest answers are the best. Rest and peace and joy and hope are all fruits of the Spirit. To truly have them, we must draw near to and allow the Spirit of God to work in us. Peace comes through surrender and rest comes to those who no longer fight for control we don’t really have in the first place.

 

This has gotten long, so to sum up, if you are desperate for peace and need rest, the answer is Jesus. Draw near to Him. The peace in the midst of the storm, the peace that is true though makes little sense according to the situation (that passes understanding), is found in relationship with Christ and in seeking our refuge and safety and hope in Him. He came to set the captives free, and that includes freedom from worry and fear and hopelessness.

This site is free. If this blessed, helped and or informed you, the best thing you can do is pass it on via the social buttons below. And please subscribe or follow Unshackled Life Ministries on Facebook.

Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments, the weekly Unshackled Echo and or listens to the Audio Messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them on social media, commented on the blog or replied to an email subscription. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions and sermons to more people by sharing this? Hitting the share button or forwarding this to a friend will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.