Christian Writers Circle

Freedom to Enter God’s Rest

by Brenda D. Flowers

     Have you ever had times when you had trouble sleeping because of internal unrest?

     Before I became a Christian, I often had nights of restlessness as I felt God’s conviction, recognizing a void in my life. Yet since I became a follower of Christ, I have continued to have occasional times of inner struggle, times when I battled worries, fears or cares of this world.

     Recently, I had such a night.

      I awoke in the middle of the night suddenly and felt attacked by anxious and accusatory thoughts. I recalled the verse, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but …, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12, KJV) I tried to battle the negative thoughts by focusing my mind on good things. (Phil 4:8) I also tried to cast away the worry thoughts by saying to myself those are not my thoughts, but I still couldn’t get back to sleep. After close to an hour of struggle, I still felt restless and frustrated because I was still awake. Then, after more internal wrestling, I decided to get out of bed to pray. Honestly, I felt physically and emotionally drained and somewhat depressed.

     As more worry thoughts regarding delayed answers to prayer came to mind, I wondered if these thoughts were really my thoughts. I prayed, “Lord, please forgive me for my anxious thoughts.”

     I sat still and quiet for a few more minutes in the dark. Then, I heard internally the soft whisper, “Enter into My rest.”  I listened more intently as I again heard these comforting words, “Brenda, enter into My rest.” Suddenly, I felt the sweet calming assurance of God’s presence. I felt God’s love like a big warm hug and felt His peaceful urging to go back to bed. Gone were my feelings of restlessness and fear. Once my head touched the pillow, I went easily back to sleep and when I woke the next morning I felt refreshed.

     As I thought about that evening’s struggle, I realized I had been striving in my own strength to  battle the negative thoughts. I had not been fully trusting in the Lord for my rest. His sweet words reminded me that I have freedom to enter into His rest, but I must choose to enter. 

     Meditating on God’s Word, we see more deeply the rest God has provided for us:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, NKJV)

And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest?

Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest. (Hebrews 3:18-19, NLT)

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of us come short of it. … For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:1 & 10, NKJV)

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep: For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8, NKJV)    

LORD, Thank You for providing the way for us to enter into Your rest. We no longer need to strive in our own strength to overcome anxious or fearful thoughts. We are grateful You keep us in perfect peace as we rest in You. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ victorious name we pray. Amen