I don’t know about you guys, but I always feel like my brain is going a million miles an hour. As one thought enters my mind, another replaces it and then another. I am not sure if it’s like that for everyone, but I know that it happens to me all the time. I sometimes blame it on being a woman since scientist has said that women tend to multitask in their minds a lot. Then again, I just think it’s in my nature to worry.

With so many thoughts crossing my mind, it’s so hard to find rest from it all. It’s like the curse of being an adult. Constant worry and lots of stress. I even get stressed knowing that I am stressed or that in the near future I will be stressed. It’s not because of how it makes me feel, but because of all the side effects that come with stress.

In college, I learned quite a bit about the subject. If you are stressed for long periods of time it can be very damaging to your health. Stress makes you more susceptible to diseases because it lowers your immune system. Since stress elevates our blood pressure, it can cause coronary heart disease. On top of that, stress can cause mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. So, you can imagine why I get stressed about being stressed.  

I also notice that most of the methods that are recommended to relieve stress don’t work in the long run. They are temporary solutions that distract us from the real problem. That’s all they are…distractions. There has to be a better way. So, the question is, how can we find true rest and peace in such chaotic times?

I’ve learned that the answer can be found in Jesus. Maybe I sound repetitive, but Jesus is the answer and the key. It is through Him that we can find peace because He is the prince of peace.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

He is the one who can give us the rest we so desperately seek. Not the kind of rest that distracts us for a moment, but the kind that will last a lifetime.

Most of our stress comes from our busy lives. We worry about money, time, family and the future. However, Jesus tells us not to worry about those things. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus said:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall I eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

When I read verse 26, where Jesus talks about the birds, I can’t help but think about my cat. This tiny creature loves food, water, and affection. I can’t help but think about how she must not worry about whether she will eat or drink. She knows that I will personally go and give her food and make sure she has fresh water to drink. In the same way that I provide for her, God provides for our needs as well and even more so because His love for us is beyond measure.

The best way to receive rest is by spending time in prayer and taking a moment to listen to Him. In our busy lives, it is hard to find that time, but you can find it. While you get ready for work, on your way to work, or even on your way back home. Those are just a few times in the day that we can use to talk to Him. It doesn’t have to be a large amount of time. Even five minutes makes a difference. Just those few minutes make all the anxiety go away.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

In all honesty, I had one of those moments myself recently. I was trying to plan out my day. Normally my day consists of my classes, some housework and making dinner. With this blog, I have now added writing, editing, researching, and posting to my list. It wasn’t so much the idea that I had more things to do that got me anxious, it was the thought of whether or not my blog would be any good. I started focusing on what I wanted to come out of the blog and completely forgot the reason I started it in the first place.

I was actually going to start this blog two years ago. However, I realized I was only doing it to get some kind of justification. I ended up forgetting about the whole thing and moving on with my life. Then a little over a month ago, I felt this tugging in my heart to start up the blog. I wasn’t sure if that was me talking or God telling me it was time. I prayed about it every day and then God gave me my answer. This time around, I wasn’t starting a blog so that I could feel good about myself. Instead, it was so that I can be like His disciples and share His word to the world. This time my focus was on Him.

So, going back to the other day. As the anxiety started to flood my mind I felt a voice in my head tell me to be still. I went to sit outside in the grass and started praying. I prayed about my anxiety and my fears. Then God reminded me of the reason I started the blog. This isn’t about me, but about Him.

You see, the real reason we find it hard to find any rest in this world is that we are so focused on everything around us when we should be focusing on Jesus. When we focus on Him, leave everything at His feet, we no longer feel anxious. Our mind finds rest in Him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Therefore, if you find yourself feeling weary and anxious, take a step back and breathe. Take a moment to talk to God. He already knows what you are going through, but He wants you to talk to Him about it. Know that He is by your side, always. That as long as you have faith in Him, He will get you through this and as He promises, you will have true peace and rest in Him.  

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Romans 5:1