What does rest look like? Are there different kinds of rest? Could we be seeking rest that doesn’t give us rest but instead causes further stress and discontent? What might true rest look like, the kind God talks about? Jeremiah 31:25 says, “For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” This would certainly imply that rest comes from God, or at least that true rest does.

I believe we sometimes see rest as taking a nap or reading a book. I’m sure those things and more can give us rest in different ways, but are they the true rest we need, or only respite from the day-to-day stress we battle? Could it be that there’s a deeper rest we are missing, one that only comes from our Creator? Medical professionals will tell you that stress is a killer, yet how many of us allow the bad stress in life to cripple and destroy our peace and tranquility? Yes, you read that correctly. There is good stress and there is bad stress. In other words, some stress is good, but how do we know the difference? Part of the answer lies in how long the stress lasts. Good stress doesn’t last. It’s the kind of stress that motivates and energizes, whereas bad stress lingers and becomes heavy. Instead of giving us energy, it takes it away.

I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Stress is often the byproduct of seeking what we think we need or want but don’t have. Jesus simply says to seek him and not worry about the other stuff, because he will supply it as we need it. It seems like a simple way to live. So why don’t we do it? Perhaps because the world has programmed us to live differently. We strive for what we want and what we don’t have. We seek after that which will perish and not last. Every day we get up for stuff, none of which will fulfill our deepest needs. We’re about doing, when God says simply be. Perhaps that’s where we start. Think about it.