Have you ever stumbled upon something you wrote down in the past and asked yourself, “What was I thinking” or “Did I really say that”? Perhaps your “present self” is grateful for your “past self” who was kind enough to leave you a reminder of things you once thought, knew or needed to remember today. You may have to re-read what I just said. I did that today. I re-read some things I said in the Fall of 2020 when I was finishing my book, Good Grief I’m Healed. I glanced over the table of contents and found myself pondering some of my words in the last several chapters of the book. I saw some great reminders that have proved to be helpful in my own life, to help me maintain the healing I received over anxiety and the fear that I used to battle with. I had penned some spiritual & practical helps that helped in my mind’s healing and has helped others as well. Sometimes we forget these things and it’s good to be reminded.
As we are at the mid-year point, it’s a good time to take spiritual and physical inventory because our body, spirit & soul require periodic renewal and rest to restore our health. I know we need this in our home. When we don’t, we often feel overwhelmed, anxious, tired, drained or dry. We may drink water today, but tomorrow we are thirsty again.
This is a good time to intentionally receive refreshment from the Lord and allow Him to restore us and prepare us to pour into others what we’ve received from Him. In Christ, we have a continual source of Living Water that flows from Him to strengthen our bodies and spirits, to fill our minds with peace and to provide a deep rest that renews our hearts with the love of our heavenly Father.
It is this REST that I want to highlight today. We do in fact need physical rest or our bodies will suffer the consequences. When we are out of balance or find our minds focussing on the cares of this world, we open ourselves up to restlessness and worry. In Chapter 13 of my book, I shared a natural remedy for these things.
I still believe the long term remedy for victory over worry, fear, panic, anxiety and depression “…is to be found in the peaceful, quiet rest of God. Once you enter His rest and choose to abide in it, He will provide the rest of what you need to be delivered from the cares you once carried.” The flow of His Presence to those who are seeking Him carries the fullness of God in it and activates all Jesus paid for to provide freedom, healing and hope for restless hearts.
We read in Matthew 11:28, Jesus inviting those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him. It is an invitation to those who are feeling overwhelmed, tired, and burdened by the struggles of life to simply come to Jesus and find solace and peace.
Today, as I re-read many of the stories of hope my past-self wrote, my heart is being refreshed again. One of the treasures I found, I’ll pass on to you: “When I am tempted to worry, I bundle up my worries and let Jesus carry the package, and then I choose to pray instead.” Encountering Jesus as I talk to Him, I rejoice in my heart knowing I am full of the joy of the Lord as He fills me up. This joy is accompanied by peace of mind, renewal of strength and a quiet calming rest deep in my heart.
Enter His rest by renewing your mind – focus on Him! He will bring health to your soul.
Listen! What do you hear God speaking to you?
GOOD NEWS from the Word of God:
“Cast ALL your CARES (anxiety) on Him for He cares for you!”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Suzanne: He Reveals to Heal!
Greg: Keep Faith’n it!
Greg & Suzanne Grimaud,
Authors – Speakers – Coaches