How to rest in the Storm

Ever been so exhausted that you laughed at something so ridiculous, you start to cry?

My daughter loves it when I’m delirious. Her objective is to find the funniest video that leaves me in stitches with tears streaming down my face. Depending on how tired I am, if she can’t find a new video, she might mention an original clip winding my giggle box.  

 Then there are other times when I’m consumed in thought but physically exhausted.  My mind keeps running, but my enthusiasm dwindles. Typically, my thoughts activate spontaneous bursts of creativity when nestled under the sheets in a dark room. Powerless to the continuous input overload, I pray.  I cry out to God, asking for REST.

Can you relate to either of these types of weariness?  

When we’re burnt out from the hustle temptation creeps in. The enemy would love for us to give up.  Our flesh can only do so much.  Even Jesus, fully man and fully God, found himself exhausted. Matthew 8:23-27 tells of a time when Jesus fell fast asleep on a boat after teaching.  

The gust knocked the waves against the hollowed-out tree transporting the thirteen men across the sea. The disciples, concerned about the intensity of the storm, woke Jesus from his nap.  

How could Jesus rest in the storm?  

Jesus was confident in the promises of God. The plans for him were set into motion from the beginning.  Yes, a tree would take his life but not this way. Jesus was confident in the one Who sent him, the perfected details of His plans, and the purpose he was given.

Jesus slept because the work was hard, and his flesh needed to rest. The solidarity of the cabin granted Jesus a quiet place to rest, even in a storm. When we have confidence in the One who called us, we too can rest. God is faithful to His promises.

Here are a few promises we can take to the bank…

• Psalms 27:1( KJV), “ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  
• Romans 8:26-27 (NIV), “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
• James 4:7 (KJV), “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), “Therefore,  if anyone is in Christ, the new creature come: The old has gone, the new is here!.”
• Matthew 6:34 (MSG) Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
• John 14:1-3 (NKJV) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, also believe in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions…. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may also be.

The promises of God are abundant throughout Scripture. All we need to do is seek them out. This week as we engage with God on our daily dates, let’s write out the promises we find in His Word. Keep a record of each promise and rest in the faithfulness of God. 

What promises of God do you cling to? By sharing in the comments below, your verse it might be the reminder someone needed to hear. 

If you would like more resources on the Promises of God, check out Bible Promises of Comfort and Encouragement by Broadstreet Publishing Group.