Trusting God From a Place of Rest

He asked me a question I knew all too well, and one I had no desire to answer. Yet upon reflection, the requisite chest tightening and nauseous churning of my stomach seemed quiet. Turning the question over in my mind, I realized the calm beating of my heart and relaxed posture spoke peace not dread. Could trusting God from a place of rest give me the courage for moving forward in faith rather than fear?

Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.

Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.

We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.

rest enables trust

Just when you think you finally understand a concept, God takes you on a road never before travelled. “Upleveling” my experience and grasp of “REST” headlined God’s itinerary for my summer. If you follow my Mindfulness posts, you probably drew that conclusion a few weeks back. If you need a refresher or prefer the abridged version, be sure to visit HERE. I summarized my journey AND included FREE downloadable guide of all of the techniques I shared.

Though frankly, this summer elective was not on my list of accomplishments, it both challenged and mollified my spirit, while enlarging my understanding of true rest in the Lord. But wait! There’s more! One little question transitioned me to “REST Level II-TRUST”. Although reminded resting in God implies trust, the nuance of depth to that trust pushes me into the deeper end of the pool. A depth of trust best attained from a posture of REST.

trusting god maintains rest

Trusting God from a place of rest, allows us the benefit of intimacy and safety before commitment. When we practice resting in God especially when we don’t have all the answers, trusting Him flows naturally from a place of intimacy. In a place of resting in Him, we relinquish our fear and anxiety; knowing Him as our salvation, we trust without fear. (Isaiah 12:2).

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

At times we all have lives and souls fraught with turmoil, uncertainty or pain; seeking rest in God calms our mind and soul disturbance. In the safe, tranquil place of God’s Presence, our hearts and souls timidly step into trust. Rushing or brow beating ourselves into a place of trust from a posture of turmoil or the fear of uncertainty only sharpens our doubts and increases our anxiety. Pursuing the serenity of rest in intimacy with Christ fosters trust, which in turn maintains our rest.

trusting god from a place of rest

From a place of spiritual rest we find courage for exercising our faith when God asks us to step out in obedience. Whether that obedience involves stepping out into a new ministry opportunity, placing a complicated situation into His hands, or walking a dim path with no end in sight; while resting in His loving Presence, we trust.

When God specifically asked me, “would I obey and continue walking the rocky path before me if He chose not to change the situation”, my heart slipped easily into trust. Because He graciously taught me how to find the true spiritual rest my soul needed, from the safety of intimacy with Him, a question normally sending me into trepidation, now posed no threat.

stepping into trust

Upon reflection, I noticed the practical steps God led me through while postured in rest towards trusting Him.

• Praise. Almost surprisingly, while fellowshipping with Christ from a place of rest, I noticed my first responses were that of praise. All my striving and working at finding rest stood powerless in stopping the turmoil within my soul. Once resting in Him, praise poured from my lips. Praise and gratitude ignite joy, which in turn weaves me into a tighter union with Him. (Hebrews 13:15)
• Vulnerability. Resting in the Lord creates a safe place; a place where I feel heard and seen. Rather than fleeing in fear and anxiety, I am open to the vulnerability of sharing where my heart hurts and what fears assail me. No longer compelled to hide from God, I lean into His protection and comfort. (1 John 4:18)
• Remember. Trusting God from a place of rest encourages me to remember what He has already done. I highly recommend journaling; having a record of struggles, prayers, answers and gratitude powerfully reminds us of God’s faithfulness in the past, urging us towards trust for the future. (Habakkuk 3:1-2)
• Accept. Perhaps the crucial component for me, was accepting God’s will. Surrendering my will to His, involves trusting in His good purpose for me or my loved ones. Such acquiescence cannot flow from a place of anxious doubt, but only from a place of serene calm. (Romans 12:2)

trust: a true place of rest

God, in His sovereign kindness shepherded me beside the still waters of His intimate knowledge of my deepest needs. Gently drawing me into the safety of His loving heart, where my troubled spirit not only found rest, but solace.

From a place of tender intimacy, He graciously nurtured me towards a deeper trust in Him. Believing my life still has significance and splendor despite the presence of suffering and darkness results from trusting God from a place of rest.